FilmNation Entertainment

FilmNation Entertainment is an independent film production and distribution company founded in 2008 by Glen Basner with funding from real estate developer Steven Samuels. Initially, the company was a foreign sales firm, selling distribution right in various international markets.[1]

In 2012, FilmNation produced its first film, Mud, which competed at the Cannes Film Festival.[2] On November 6, 2013, FilmNation Entertainment became part of the American Film Market for the first time.[3] In December 2014, Village Roadshow invested $18 million for 33% stake in the company to make film production a regular part of operations.[1] With growing success, the Los Angeles Times labeled FilmNation as “the emerging Oscar powerhouse you’ve never heard of.”[1]

In April 2018, FilmNation agreed to a $120 million revolving multi-bank credit facility with Bank of America Merrill Lynch and co-led by MUFG Union Bank.[4] The funds would be used to give films larger budgets, take on additional films and enter the TV film, theater, digital and VR content markets plus other strategic investment areas.[5]

In early 2019, FilmNation and Nordic Entertainment Group formed a television joint venture based in the United Kingdom that will operate under the FilmNation name.[6] Nordic Entertainment Group will have first option on exclusive distribution rights to all of the joint venture’s productions in the Nordic countries.[6] FilmNation hired TV vet Kirstie Macdonald to spearhead the London division.[7]