Amir Malin

AMIR MALIN

Mr. Malin has been involved in the motion picture industry film movement for over 35 years and is considered one of its leading figures and strategic thinkers. His background involves marketing, distribution in all media, content acquisition, and M & A activity.

Prior to forming Qualia Capital in 2005, Mr. Malin served as Chief Executive Officer of Artisan Entertainment. He was involved in all facets of Artisan’s growth from a struggling publicly held home video distributor (known as LIVE Entertainment) to the leading privately held independent filmed entertainment company. With LIVE Entertainment, Mr. Malin inherited a library of 2,500 titles which he quickly expanded into a world class library of close to 7,000 titles. The library included such titles as TERMINATOR 2, DIRTY DANCING, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and RESERVOIR DOGS. During his tenure, Artisan was transformed into a mighty distribution machine with operating capabilities in the theatrical, home video, pay-per-view, pay television and free television marketplace. Artisan’s distribution platform allowed it to profitably acquire and produce new content for both the theatrical and home video markets, including THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, THE PUNISHER, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, and the BARBIE series of direct to video features.

During this period, Artisan successfully completed a full turnaround of its financial performance. Artisan grew from approximately $120 million in revenue in 1997 to over $400 million in revenue in 2003. In addition to growing its top line, Artisan improved EBITDA from less than $6 million in 1997 to $44.5 million in 2003. This remarkable turnaround of the company culminated in the merger of Artisan with Lions Gate Entertainment in December of 2003 resulting in over a 700% return over a 6 year period for the Bain Capital led equity investment which took LIVE Entertainment private.

Prior to his recruitment by Bain Capital to join the LIVE/Artisan transaction in July of 1997, Mr. Malin was president of October Films, a specialized distributor of independent film product. Mr. Malin joined October Films concurrent with an investment led by Allen & Company in 1992. He was involved in product acquisition (including the Oscar nominated films SECRETS & LIES, BREAKING THE WAVES, and THE LAST SEDUCTION), all facets of distribution, and strategic initiatives. In 1997, he helped guide October to a successful sale of 51% of its equity to the Universal Motion Picture Group. Investors in the original 1992 Allen & Company transaction saw an average yearly ROI of over 20%. In 1982 Mr. Malin founded Cinecom Films, one of the most important independent film companies of that decade. Cinecom’s repertoire included the Oscar winning film A ROOM WITH A VIEW, Jonathan Demme’s STOP MAKING SENSE and indie stalwart John Sayles’ MATEWAN. Cinecom was sold to SBK Entertainment World in 1989 and Mr. Malin served as a consultant to the company.

Mr. Malin is an honors graduate of Brandeis University and Boston University School of Law and he is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences executive branch. Mr. Malin is also an Adjunct Professor at the Stern School of Business at NYU where he teaches a course on film marketing, distribution and finance.

Comments are closed.

  • Carnegie Hall Tower
    152 West 57th Street, 25th Floor
    New York, NY 10019
    Tel: (212) 672-0090
    Fax: (212) 672-0091

  • 2425 Colorado Avenue
    Suite 208
    Santa Monica, CA 90404
    Tel: (310) 228-1760
    Fax: (310) 909-7590

  • Mission Statement...