Zygi Kamasa

Zygi Jan Kamasa (born 12 November 1969)[1] is a Swedish-British entertainment studio executive and film executive producer.

Zygi Kamasa
Born (1969-11-12) 12 November 1969
OccupationCEO of Marv Studios
Notable work

He is the CEO and founder of True Brit Entertainment Ltd, a British based theatrical distributor dedicated exclusively to co-financing and co-producing British feature films and Television.

Previously, Kamasa was the was group CEO of MARV,[2] partnering with director and producer Matthew Vaughn, where he oversaw the expansion of the Kingsman franchise and produced the film Tetris (2023), starring Taron Egerton, as well as Vaughn's latest big budget film, Argylle (2024), starring Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryce Dallas Howard, Samuel L Jackson, and John Cena, due to be released through Universal Pictures and Apple TV+ in 2024.

Kamasa also served as CEO of Lionsgate UK & Europe until July 2020[3] where he was a major supporter of British independent films, investing and releasing over 60 British films, as well as producing films such as Harry Brown (2009), Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011), The Railway Man (2013), Brooklyn (2015), Eddie the Eagle (2015), and London Has Fallen (2016).[4]

Career

Kamasa was educated at Highgate School until 1987 and started his film career in 1993 as Founder and Managing Director of TV production company Scorpio Productions, based at Pinewood Studios. In 1998, he co-founded with Simon Franks, the independent film distribution company Redbus Film, producing and distributing films in the UK including Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and Good Night, and Good Luck (2005).

In October 2005, Redbus Film was sold to Lionsgate Entertainment for $35 million[5] and became Lionsgate UK in February 2006.[6]

As CEO of Lionsgate UK & Europe, Kamasa oversaw the investment, production and distribution of UK Top Ten Box office films including three instalments of The Hunger Games franchise, The Expendables and its sequels, Kathryn Bigelow’s Oscar-winning The Hurt Locker (2008), and action films Olympus Has Fallen (2013) and its sequel London Has Fallen (2016).[7] He also led UK distribution for Deepwater Horizon (2016) and La La Land (2016).

Kamasa's credits as executive producer of UK films include Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011), starring Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt, The Railway Man (2013), starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, A Little Chaos (2014), starring Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman, Eddie the Eagle (2015), starring Taron Egerton and Hugh Jackman, and Brooklyn (2015), starring Saoirse Ronan.[8]

Zygi Kamasa has had a long history of backing British independent feature films, having served as executive producer on over 40 British titles. In 2023, Zygis’ latest business venture is True Brit Entertainment, a British-based theatrical distributor, dedicated exclusively to co-financing and co-producing British feature films and television.[9]

References
  1. Hughes, Patrick; Davies, Ian F (1988). Highgate School Register (7th ed.). p. 418.
  2. Wiseman, Andreas (29 September 2020). "Matthew Vaughn's MARV Sets Former Lionsgate Europe Head Zygi Kamasa As Group CEO; Duo Talk Company Strategy, Taron Egerton Pic 'Tetris' & 'Kingsman' TV Series". Deadline. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  3. Grater, Tom (15 July 2020). "Lionsgate UK & Europe CEO Zygi Kamasa Stepping Down After 15-Year Run".
  4. Barraclough, Leo (25 March 2015). "Zygi Kamasa Signs Deal to Continue as CEO of Lionsgate UK, Expands European Responsibilities". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  5. "Redbus - Sale of Redbus Film Distribution to Lionsgate Entertainment". Slaughter & May. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  6. Mitchell, Wendy (23 February 2006). "Redbus rebranded as Lionsgate UK". Screendaily. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  7. Mitchell, Wendy (30 November 2012). "Hitting close to home". Screendaily. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  8. Mitchell, Robert (17 March 2017). "Lionsgate U.K. Backs Rickman's 'Chaos'". Variety.
  9. "True Brit Entertainment". True Brit Entertainment. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
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