Ben Browning has joined FilmNation Entertainment as co-president of production and acquisitions, a newly-created position that will further the company’s synergy between production and acquisitions, it was announced Friday by FilmNation CEO Glen Basner.
Browning will relocate from New York to join Aaron Ryder (also co-president of production and acquisitions) in FilmNation’s LA office as the company’s development and production slate continues to grow.
Also read: Ben Browning to Exit Start Motion Pictures (Exclusive)
FilmNation is currently in development on the Meryl Streep-Robert De Niro movie “The Good House” and Tate Taylor’s “In the Event of a Moon Disaster,” among others. They are currently in pre-production on Denis Villeneuve’s Amy Adams-starrer “Story of Your Life,” which sold to Paramount in a record-breaking $20 million dollar deal in Cannes earlier this year.
Browning will be on the ground in Toronto actively sourcing sales, production and finance titles for the company. Both Browning and Ryder will report to Basner.
“Given the amount of films we are working on, we felt this is the perfect time to combine the acquisitions and production departments and grow the company overall. Ben’s experience will undoubtedly multiply the amount of films we take on to sell, finance and produce,” said Ryder.
“I have a longstanding respect for FilmNation and have watched the company flourish over the past six years. Having previously collaborated with Glen and having seen how Aaron has established an assembly of remarkable projects, I have no doubt that this is an ideal environment for me to help take the company to the next level,” said Browning.
Also read: Jennifer Lawrence to Star In and Produce ‘Rules of Inheritance’ for FilmNation
“We have successfully collaborated with Ben in the past, and I know that his joining our team will be key in continuing to propel FilmNation forward. Aaron’s and Ben’s talent combined is a real force for us as our slate and resources grow,” added Basner.
Prior to joining FilmNation, Browning served as president of Start Motion Pictures, the content production division of Start Media. Browning ran all aspects of Start’s operations, including film and television development, packaging, production, business affairs and financing. Browning co-founded Wayfare Entertainment in 2008 and rose from managing partner to CEO in 2010 until Wayfare was absorbed into Start Media in 2013.
Previously, Browning and James Cameron served as executive producers on the 3D underwater adventure movie “Sanctum,” which was a FilmNation sales title. Browning also developed, produced and financed the sci-fi movie “Europa Report,” Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” and Neil Jordan’s “Ondine.”
He previously worked for Industry Entertainment in Los Angeles producing independent television series for such networks as Showtime, NBC and ABC.
Also read: Henry Selick to Direct ‘A Tale Dark & Grimm’ for FilmNation, Kamala Films
Following last year’s announcement that FilmNation negotiated $50 million in additional capital with an equity-backed, revolving multi-bank credit facility with Bank Of America Merrill Lynch and Union Bank, the company has taken major steps in financing, producing and acquiring a greater number of films and higher budget projects for the company’s slate.
As international sales agent, FilmNation is representing three high-profile Toronto titles including the Benedict Cumberbatch drama “The Imitation Game,” and two Scott Rudin productions — Noah Baumbach’s “While We’re Young” and Chris Rock’s “Top Five.”