Zygi Kamasa

Zygi Kamasa
Born
Zygmunt Jan Kamasa

(1969-11-12) 12 November 1969 (age 55)
Occupation(s)Founder and CEO of True Brit Entertainment

Zygmunt Jan "Zygi" Kamasa (born 12 November 1969)[1][2] is a Swedish-British entertainment studio executive and film executive producer.

He is the CEO and founder of True Brit Entertainment,[3] a British based theatrical distributor dedicated exclusively to co-financing and co-producing British feature films and Television.[4]

Previously, Kamasa was group CEO of MARV,[5] 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 was CEO of Lionsgate UK & Europe until July 2020[6] 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).[7]

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[8] and became Lionsgate UK in February 2006.[9]

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).[10] 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.[11]

Kamasa has had a long history of backing British independent feature films, having been executive producer on over 40 British titles.[citation needed]

In 2023, his 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.[4][3]

References

  1. ^ Hughes, Patrick; Davies, Ian F (1988). Highgate School Register (7th ed.). p. 418.
  2. ^ "Zygmunt Jan Kamasa personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b Yossman, K.J. (2 November 2023). "Marv Studios CEO Zygi Kamasa Launches Distributor True Brit Entertainment, 'Argylle' Producer Takes Minority Stake". Variety. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (2 November 2023). "Former Lionsgate & Marv Exec Zygi Kamasa To Launch UK Distributor True Brit Entertainment Dedicated To British Films; Backing Comes From Management Firm Three Six Zero". Deadline. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Grater, Tom (15 July 2020). "Lionsgate UK & Europe CEO Zygi Kamasa Stepping Down After 15-Year Run". Deadline. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  7. ^ Barraclough, Leo (25 March 2015). "Zygi Kamasa Signs Deal to Continue as CEO of Lionsgate UK, Expands European Responsibilities". Variety. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  8. ^ "Redbus - Sale of Redbus Film Distribution to Lionsgate Entertainment". Slaughter & May. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  9. ^ Mitchell, Wendy (23 February 2006). "Redbus rebranded as Lionsgate UK". Screendaily. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  10. ^ Mitchell, Wendy (30 November 2012). "Hitting close to home". Screendaily. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  11. ^ Mitchell, Robert (17 March 2017). "Lionsgate U.K. Backs Rickman's 'Chaos'". Variety.