Rena Ronson joins Rich Klubeck at UTA to co-head independent film group

Ronson most recently served as co-head of William Morris Independent with Cassian Elwes before the pair departed that agency in the wake of the merger with Endeavor.

She will focus on finance and packaging for independent and co-financed studio features as well as foreign sales and distribution strategies, and will represent UTA at this weekend’s Circle Conference in Abu Dhabi where she is scheduled to participate in an agents panel.

Ronson joins senior agent David Flynn and agent Bec Smith at a division that has packaged and/or represented films from the Coen brothers, Wes Anderson, Fatih Akin, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Jared Hess, Paolo Sorrentino, Oliver Hirschbiegel, Greg Mottola, Noah Baumbach, Charlie Kaufman, Alan Ball and others.

Ronson helped to finance and secure distribution for more than 150 films in her 11 years at William Morris Independent and has been involved in the financing, distribution and/or representation of more than 500 titles such as Thank You For Smoking, Monster’s Ball, The Cooler, Rudo Y Cursi and Amreeka.

In 2008 Ronson was instrumental in putting together a partnership with Screen Capital International to form the film financing entity Incentive Filmed Entertainment and has helped to raise funding for established production entities including the Donner Company and Mark Canton Company.

Prior to joining William Morris she helped to establish and run Lakeshore International where she oversaw the 350-title film library.

“UTA continues to recruit professionals who can bring experience and relationships that will serve our colleagues and our clients,” UTA board member Jeremy Zimmer said.  “Rena’s professionalism and reputation as one of the most passionate and widely-admired players in independent film certainly fit that criteria.”

“Rena’s addition speaks directly to the vision we have for expanding our finance and packaging operations,” UTA motion picture lit partner Klubeck, who has headed the group since 2004, said. “Her extensive experience here and abroad and her insight into the changing economics of the film industry will greatly add to our reach in the global film market. I am thrilled that she is joining the agency.”

“This is a terrific opportunity and one I couldn’t pass up,” Ronson said. “I have long admired the way in which UTA has grown and positioned itself in the industry, and I am excited to join Rich and the team in being part of the agency’s future.

“Together, Rich and I aim to make UTA a market leader in developing the new strategies and solutions that filmmakers, producers and financiers need in these challenging times.”

Klubeck also represents or co-represents numerous signature UTA clients including the Coens, Anderson, Fresnadillo, Sorrentino, Akin, Mike White, Miranda July and video game publisher Electronic Arts.