Envision Media Arts and National Bank of Canada have announced a $50 million credit facility that will enable EMA to fund theatrical motion pictures in the $5 million to $25 million range. The deal includes a bridge facility which will allow EMA to confirm talent and start prep in advance of the close of the completion bond.
EMA also announced the hire of Wendy Moore as VP of finance. Moore is an executive producer who is seasoned in structuring and placing equity, debt, and P&A financing. She has worked on all sides of film financing, as a lender for National Bank of California and First Republic, an equity financier for Prescience (“The King’s Speech”) and an associate producer for several production companies, including Bold Films (Whiplash”). Moore has been instrumental in structuring EMA’s financing, which will allow the company to handle larger and more varied projects.
EMA has already locked in several notable projects, including “Waco,” which is based on the 1993 siege on Waco, Texas. The film was written by award-winning investigative journalist James Hibberd and Rupert Wainwright. EMA also has Dennis Iliadis (“The Last House on the Left”) attached to direct the thriller “Red Ice,” based on a script written by Keith Ray Putnam, with revisions by Peter Filardi. Gavin Poolman will executive produce the film and is bringing additional financing through Apollo Media. EMA is also developing “Committed,” a romantic comedy written by Claudia Grazioso (“Are We There Yet?”) and based on the Greek film of the same name.
“Our vision for EMA continues to be producing elevated films with commercial appeal,” said CEO Lee Nelson. “This agreement with National Bank of Canada will increase our ability to acquire high quality, sought after material and allow us to accelerate each projects path to production. Although we have many great films in development we are actively looking to expand our slate.”
“National Bank of Canada is thrilled to be working with EMA to help bring their projects to fruition,” added Lisa Wolofsky, associate VP of international at National Bank of Canada.
EMA most recently announced an exclusive agreement with PEZ Candy to develop an animated family film based on the iconic candy dispensers, to be penned by Cameron Fay.
Founded by Lee Nelson in 2002 EMA is a film, television and commercial production company based in Hollywood. EMA recently completed “Henry Joseph Church” with Britt Robertson and Eddie Murphy. The company has financed and/or produced five films over the last five years, including Sony Pictures Classics’ hit Sundance movie “Celeste & Jesse Forever” starring Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg.