Elizabeth Bay Productions (EBP), one of the companies behind Terrence Malick’s “A Hidden Life,” has secured a financing deal with FilmHedge and a first-look agreement with WestEnd Films.
Atlanta-based finance platform FilmHedge will provide funding for EBP’s slate of film and television projects. This partnership will be steered by FilmHedge’s COO, Chandler Heinz Laun, who will oversee EBP’s creative packaging and individual project financing plans. Laun was previously a member of the independent film financing and distribution department at ICM Partners.
Simultaneously, EBP has entered into a first-look deal with U.K.-based sales company WestEnd Films. This arrangement grants WestEnd the initial option to sell projects from EBP’s developing slate, providing EBP with enhanced international distribution capabilities and access to additional financing. For WestEnd, the deal offers an opportunity to tap into EBP’s development and production expertise as the sales company continues its expansion into production.
EBP’s management team includes Dennis Davidson, known for establishing PR and marketing firm DDA (Dennis Davidson Associates), who serves as the company’s principal. He is joined by Grant Hill, whose producing credits include “The Thin Red Line,” the “Matrix” sequels, “Cloud Atlas” and “Tree of Life,” who serves as executive producer/producer. The Los Angeles arm of the company includes Eugin Koh as head of business development and Clayton Heinz as head of strategy and operations.
Davidson said: “In association with renowned producer Grant Hill, we have spent the past three years acquiring and developing an impressive and varied slate of films and television series. We’ve been looking for a well-funded production partner that shared our vision for creating high-quality filmed entertainment. FilmHedge is that partner.”
FilmHedge CEO Jon Gosier added: “We’ve been continually impressed by the Elizabeth Bay team and their slate of projects. We are excited to announce this long-term partnership with Dennis Davidson and the whole EBP family.”
Maya Amsellem of WestEnd Films said: “Dennis brings his decades of experience working with talent across the industry to assembling his slate. He has smart taste and with his new partnership with FilmHedge we are excited to see these classy and ambitious projects come through.”
Among EBP’s upcoming projects is “The Dimona Affair,” a whistleblower drama inspired by true events. Written and to be directed by Fred Schepisi (“Six Degrees of Separation,” “Roxanne”), the film will star Jeff Wilbusch (“Unorthodox”), who will also produce alongside Schepisi, Simon Moseley and Davidson.
Source Agencies
