Worldview Entertainment was an American motion picture finance company focused on theatrical-quality feature films for worldwide distribution. The company produced 8️⃣ over 20 films, including Fox Searchlight’s critically acclaimed hit Birdman, which was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning four Oscars, 8️⃣ including Best Picture, and grossed more thanR$100 million in global box office revenue.
History [ edit ]
Worldview Entertainment was founded in 8️⃣ 2007 by Chairman and CEO, Christopher Woodrow,[1] and Maria Cestone. Molly Conners joined the company in 2009 as COO. Worldview 8️⃣ Entertainment signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 2010 and has since become the agency's top film finance and production 8️⃣ client. Sarah E. Johnson, daughter of Franklin Resources Chairman, Charles B. Johnson, became a partner and investor in the company 8️⃣ in 2011. Worldview established a four-yearR$30 million credit facility with Comerica in 2013 to provide debt financing for the company's 8️⃣ films, which coincided with the infusion ofR$40 million in new equity from existing investors. TheR$70 million doubled the company's capital 8️⃣ base.
The company's first film was William Friedkin's black comedy, Killer Joe, which it financed along with Voltage Pictures in 2010. 8️⃣ The film premiered at the 2011 Venice Film Festival before making its North American debut at the Toronto International Film 8️⃣ Festival, where it was sold domestically to LD Entertainment in one of the biggest sales at the festival. The film 8️⃣ was distributed theatrically in the summer of 2012, with star Matthew McConaughey receiving a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award 8️⃣ as Best Male Lead.
Worldview's 2012 slate included three films that premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival including the Guillaume 8️⃣ Canet crime thriller, Blood Ties, which was the biggest domestic sale at the festival, after being purchased by Lionsgate and 8️⃣ Roadside Attractions; and James Gray's period drama, The Immigrant which was sold domestically to The Weinstein Company. The Company went 8️⃣ on to premiere two films at the 2013 Venice Film Festival, including David Gordon Green's drama Joe, which was sold 8️⃣ domestically to Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions. Worldview also premiered six films at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival including the 8️⃣ West Memphis Three crime thriller, Devil's Knot,[2][3][4] which was sold domestically to Image Entertainment; and Eli Roth's horror thriller, The 8️⃣ Green Inferno, which was sold domestically to Open Road Films.[3][5]