Chris Hyams, the Hollywood-digital entrepreneur, is leaving his new company Slated after just six months, he announced on his blog on Friday.
Worse than that, he's leaving the movie business to go to a search company focused on jobs.
Hyams, a Renaissance architect-engineer-designer, founded B-side five years ago, and ran out of funding in the spring.
Along the way, he created a festival-goer software that was used by 100 festivals around the country.
His database was bought up by investors at Slated this spring with the data licensed by IFP. In a turnkey deal, Hyams went to work with Stephen Paternot and a group of others. (And spoke at a Wrap event about indie film this summer.)
But Hyams' goals apparently did not mesh with those of Slated in what was a shotgun marriage to begin with. So he's gone.
As far as I'm concerned, this is a big loss to the movie business. We need smart people who can think creatively about the future of film from a business perspective, and understand technology well enough to know where the two can meet.
Guys like Hyams are hard to come by - passionate about film, and knowledgeable about the digital world.
B-Side festival partners have included Sundance Film Festival, Fantastic Fest, Austin Film Festival, Independent Film Festival of Boston, Newport Beach Film Festival, Phoenix Film Festival and NewFest: The NYC LGBT Film Festival have already committed to use Festival Genius again this year in its new incarnation.
He wrote on his blog on Friday:
"I have decided that it's time for me to move on from the business I founded."
I joined Slated in April following its acquisition of B-Side's intellectual property with the goal of guiding a smooth transition and integration of B-Side into Slated's business. At the end of 6 months, I am happy to report that this transition is complete and it is time for me to hand the reigns over to Slated founder Duncan Cork. I am confident that B-Side's technology and customers are in capable hands and that Slated has a bright future ahead.
In 5 years at B-Side, we distributed a dozen quality feature films, provided the online schedule for more than 600 film festivals, and helped more than 6 million audience members around the world discover great movies. I'd like to thank the filmmakers, festivals, and B-Side members who all helped make B-Side what it became.
I would especially like to thank everyone who was a part of the B-Side team over the years - from the early days in my garage in Austin through our New York office and everything in between. It was an immense privilege to work with all of you, and I am eternally grateful for your dedication and support.
While I am sad to be leaving this business, I am equally excited about the future.
