Ariel Veneziano is leaving GreeneStreet Films International (GSFI) to head Icon Entertainment International (IEI) as part of a strategic alliance between IEI and GreeneStreet Films (GSF).
Effective Sept 17, the Los Angeles-based Veneziano will acquire rights to select GSF films and library titles as IEI bulks up sales on third party projects.
He remains in Los Angeles and will work closely with acquisitions and development president Mark Gooder to source new projects for Icon and IEI.
Veneziano brings with him a raft of GSFI titles with available rights, including Toronto screener Bill starring Aaron Eckhart, the Russell Crowe thriller Tenderness, The Nines, and Laws Of Motion with Hilary Swank and Matthew Perry, which is in post-production.
IEI's slate features Push starring Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning, which it is co-financing and co-selling with Summit, and Sleepwalking (formerly Ferris Wheel) with Charlize Theron.
IEI's London-based office chief and senior international sales manager Anthony Buckner, international sales manager Abby Kadell, and sales administration manager Steve Bestwick, will report directly to Veneziano.
GSFI will continue to operate from GSF's Los Angeles office and is expected to announce shortly the recruitment of two new senior executives. GSF is currently assembling a fresh slate.
'Ariel is a highly respected international sales agent known for his passion and creative vision,' Gooder said. 'Basing Ariel in our Los Angeles office alongside production and acquisitions will bring a renewed focus to our business model and make us more competitive in the international sales community.'
'Based on our long history with Icon on such films as Swimfan, Romance And Cigarettes and currently on our film Awake, we have been impressed with how consistently they demonstrate great care and thoughtfulness in the positioning of our films,' GSF founder and president John Penotti said.
'Ariel's newfound presence on the Icon team brings his intimate knowledge of GreeneStreet's current productions to Icon and will provide continuity in both the sales and servicing of GSF and GSFI's current slate.'
'It's exciting to see two top independent companies join forces in an alliance that elevates visibility and business opportunities, in an increasingly competitive marketplace,' Veneziano said.
Effective Sept 17, the Los Angeles-based Veneziano will acquire rights to select GSF films and library titles as IEI bulks up sales on third party projects.
He remains in Los Angeles and will work closely with acquisitions and development president Mark Gooder to source new projects for Icon and IEI.
Veneziano brings with him a raft of GSFI titles with available rights, including Toronto screener Bill starring Aaron Eckhart, the Russell Crowe thriller Tenderness, The Nines, and Laws Of Motion with Hilary Swank and Matthew Perry, which is in post-production.
IEI's slate features Push starring Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning, which it is co-financing and co-selling with Summit, and Sleepwalking (formerly Ferris Wheel) with Charlize Theron.
IEI's London-based office chief and senior international sales manager Anthony Buckner, international sales manager Abby Kadell, and sales administration manager Steve Bestwick, will report directly to Veneziano.
GSFI will continue to operate from GSF's Los Angeles office and is expected to announce shortly the recruitment of two new senior executives. GSF is currently assembling a fresh slate.
'Ariel is a highly respected international sales agent known for his passion and creative vision,' Gooder said. 'Basing Ariel in our Los Angeles office alongside production and acquisitions will bring a renewed focus to our business model and make us more competitive in the international sales community.'
'Based on our long history with Icon on such films as Swimfan, Romance And Cigarettes and currently on our film Awake, we have been impressed with how consistently they demonstrate great care and thoughtfulness in the positioning of our films,' GSF founder and president John Penotti said.
'Ariel's newfound presence on the Icon team brings his intimate knowledge of GreeneStreet's current productions to Icon and will provide continuity in both the sales and servicing of GSF and GSFI's current slate.'
'It's exciting to see two top independent companies join forces in an alliance that elevates visibility and business opportunities, in an increasingly competitive marketplace,' Veneziano said.
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