UK outfit HanWay Films has bolstered its team with three key hires – the British Film Institute (BFI)’s Katie Ellen, who joins in the newly-created role of head of production, alongside Genevieve Segall as director of acquisitions and Agathe Valentin as director of sales.
Ellen will drive development of HanWay’s production, packaging and financing capacity, with responsibility for building producer and financier relationships. Ellen joined the BFI in 2011, most recently holding the position of head of distribution and commercial strategy, where she worked across the BFI’s Film Fund and international departments, securing finance, sales and distribution partnerships for Film Fund-backed projects such as Scrapper, Aftersun and Triangle Of Sadness. Screen understands that the BFI is seeking to replace Ellen imminently.
Segall joins as director of acquisitions, having held positions at Universal Pictures Group and Koch Media. At Universal, she negotiated distribution deals for the likes of Berlinale opener She Came To Me. She takes over from Matt Baker who has joined HanWay founder Jeremy Thomas full-time at his production outfit Recorded Picture Company.
Valentin takes up the position of director of sales. She was previously head of sales at Films du Losange and Pyramide International and co-founded Paris-based sales outfit Totem Films in 2018.
The three hires complete a recent refresh of HanWay’s team, with Tatiana Wait joining from European Film Bonds as head of legal and business affairs last year.
HanWay was acquired by US company Cohen Media Group in the summer of 2022.
“Our business is evolving and diversifying in a rapidly changing marketplace. Our upcoming EFM slate reflects that diversity. People drive change and innovation. Our management team has been greatly enriched by four talented executives, each of whom brings a wealth of experience from different sectors of the industry,” said Peter Watson, president of HanWay.
Ellen said: “I am really thrilled to be joining the HanWay team, at a time of change and exciting opportunity in the film industry, and to be part of their expanding plans to work with talent and films.”
“For me, HanWay Films, has always been synonymous with quality storytelling from exceptional filmmakers. I am honoured and excited to be joining this amazing team and can’t wait to contribute towards its future success,” added Segall.
“HanWay has always been a strong influence for me with their long history with auteurs – I am thrilled to be joining the passionate team there,” said Valentin. “After a career mainly focusing on European titles, I am excited to work on very ambitious English-speaking projects.”
HanWay’s European Film Market (EFM) slate includes Alice Lowe’s Timestalker and Joanna Coates’ Virtue.
No comments yet