Omnifilm Announces Several Executive Changes

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Vancouver-based Omnifilm Entertainment has announced a host of executive promotions, starting with VP Brian Hamilton stepping into the newly created CEO role.

Hamilton assumed the role effective June 24, with partner and president Michael Chechik taking on an advisory role in the company. VP and partner Gabriela Schonbach has also moved into an advisory role as chief strategy officer. Hamilton first became a partner with Omnifilm in 2001.

Omnifilm told Playback Daily that Hamilton’s new leadership role reflects “both continuity and fresh vision.”

The CEO appointment was part of a wider executive update in the prodco. Head of business affairs Cathy Schoch became Omnifilm’s chief business officer, while Eli Sullivan remains as CFO and chief operating officer. Both report to Hamilton.

Other promotions include Daniel Wan, who has been upped to head of non-scripted from senior director, and Brendan Smith to head of post-production from director.

In addition, freelance line producer Nicole Shizuka Oguchi has joined the company full time as head of physical production. Oguchi’s previous credits include Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour and Global’s Family Law (Lark Productions, SEVEN24 Films).

“We’re expanding the scope and responsibilities of our senior team, aligning each executive as the head of a core department critical to our success,” said Omnifilm. “This positions us to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry with confidence and agility.”

Omnifilm’s projects in production include the CBC docuseries Must Love Dogs, announced at the pubcaster’s upfront presentation earlier this month; and season six of National Geographic’s World War Two reenactment series Hitler’s Last Stand with Vancouver’s Parallax Film Productions.

The other series in production is Impossible Cities, an eight-part science docuseries coproduced with Winnipeg’s Farpoint Films, set for release from ZDF Studios. The company is also providing production services on Freaks Underground, produced, written and directed by Final Destination: Bloodlines‘ Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein. The film wrapped principal photography on April 28.

The prodco is also developing Rural Medicine: Care on the Edge for Knowledge Network. The series is part of Knowledge’s Stories (Un)told strand of premium limited documentary series, supported by CreativeBC.

A June 24 release states Omnifilm is developing multiple original 60-minute dramas and 30-minute comedies, with specific announcements coming later this summer. According to the company, “[Omnifilm is] anticipating at least two more productions moving forward in the coming months and are on track for another two to three landing later in the fiscal year.”

Image courtesy of Omnifilm Entertainment. Pictured front row (L-R): Daniel Wan, Brian Hamilton and Cathy Schoch. Back row (L-R): Eli Sullivan, Gabriela Schonbach, Brendan Smith and Nicole Shizuka Oguchi

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