FILMNATION ENTERTAINMENT FINALIZES $50 MILLION IN NEW FINANCING
COMPANY EXPANDS FURTHER INTO PRODUCTION AND ACQUISITION FINANCING WITH BANK OF AMERICA & UNION BANK FACILITY
NEW YORK – Tuesday, May 7, 2013 – Following an exponential level of growth since its inception less than five years ago, punctuated by last year’s more than $420 million in international box office, New York-based FilmNation Entertainment announced today they have successfully 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 unique structure of the arrangement was made possible in part due to FilmNation’s outstanding track record and their strong relationships with the financial community. It was also facilitated by the longstanding relationship between FilmNation and Bank of America’s Brian Stearns, Daniel Timmons and Sharad Bhatt as well as Union Bank’s Bryan LaCour, Anthony Beaudoin and Jason Feuerstein, each of whom have overseen many single picture deals between the company and Union Bank.
Supporting FilmNation’s long-term growth strategy, proceeds from the revolving line of credit will significantly contribute to the company’s goal of financing an increasing number of films. The longtime faith and support from investors Steve Samuels, Anthoni Visconsi and Dominic Visconsi played a role in securing the credit facility and continue to grant the company even greater resources. Most recently, FilmNation acquired the majority of worldwide rights to David Michôd’s THE ROVER, starring Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson, and are co-financing Nic Mathieu’s STORY OF YOUR LIFE with Lava Bear Films. The revolving credit will also allow President of Production Aaron Ryder and his team the ability to finance, produce and acquire a greater number of films and higher budget projects for the company’s slate.
As studios scale back their slates and focus on tent-pole fare, this financing structure gives FilmNation the ability to fill the void in the marketplace for mid-size budgeted films, grow their asset base, and solidify their position as a one-stop destination for filmmakers.
“As FilmNation evolves, we are committing a significant amount of our resources to content investment, and Bank of America and Union Bank’s support allows us to do that in an even greater way,” said FilmNation Entertainment CEO Glen Basner. “This facility will further enable FilmNation to help filmmakers move their films from script to screen. While we are thrilled with the expeditious growth we have had in our short history, this facility and the investments we will make utilizing it are all about building a company for the long term.”
“FilmNation represents the next generation of top content creators,” said Brian Stearns, co-head of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Entertainment Industries Group based in Los Angeles. “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to arrange this innovative financing and look forward to doing even more with FilmNation.”
“Union Bank is proud to have supported FilmNation over the past four years and watched Glen and his team successfully implement the business plan,” said Bryan LaCour, manager of Union Bank’s Entertainment Finance unit. “This financing will provide FilmNation with the necessary resources to continue its growth strategy and expand its already proven content creation platform.”
“FilmNation's performance over the past five years has been exemplary, and we look forward to the new financing enabling us to continue to grow this platform in many ways including additional film production,” said FilmNation partner Steve Samuels.
The revolving facility was negotiated by FilmNation Entertainment’s COO Milan Popelka and EVP of Business & Legal Affairs Alison Cohen. The deal is planned to officially close within the next 30 days.
FilmNation Entertainment will premiere three films at this year’s Cannes Film Festival including JC Chandor’s ALL IS LOST starring Robert Redford, Sofia Coppola’s THE BLING RING starring Emma Watson, and Alexander Payne’s NEBRASKA starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte.
About FilmNation Entertainment Founded in 2008 by veteran international film executive Glen Basner, FilmNation Entertainment is a new kind of film company – global, versatile and full-service; and is a go-to destination for many of the world’s most renowned filmmakers. FilmNation can board a project in a myriad of ways (as a producer, financier, sales agent, international distributor or marketer) and at any stage in a film’s lifespan including development.
FilmNation’s upcoming sales line-up showcases the work of many of today’s most exciting, established and up-and-coming filmmakers, and includes three 2013 Cannes Official Selections: Alexander Payne’s Nebraska starring Bruce Dern; Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring starring Emma Watson; and J.C. Chandor’s All Is Lost starring Robert Redford.
The upcoming sales line-up also includes: Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin with Scarlett Johansson; Terrence Malick’s Knight of Cups and an untitled project; David Michôd’s The Rover starring Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson; Anton Corbijn’s A Most Wanted Man starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Rachel McAdams; Genius starring Colin Firth; and the untitled Marc Lawrence romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Marisa Tomei, among others.
Production vet Aaron Ryder heads up FilmNation’s production arm. Currently in release is Jeff Nichols’ critically acclaimed Mud, a 2012 Cannes competition selection, starring Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Michael Shannon and Reese Witherspoon; and to be released is Dan Beers’ teen sex comedy Premature. FilmNation is in development on Story Of Your Life.
FilmNation Press Contacts Alyson Dewar, [email protected], +1-323-936-8394 Selena Saldana, [email protected], +1-917-484-8900