Lionsgate is teaming up with entrepreneur and film producer Steven Paul, who has notably advocated for a federal tax incentive aimed at the Hollywood industry to support its growth. Through this new partnership, Paul’s company, SP Media, plans to make a significant investment in collaborative projects with Lionsgate.
As part of this agreement, SP Media will produce independent feature films, which will be distributed by Lionsgate. The joint venture will be predominantly owned and operated by Lionsgate, though the exact amount of Paul’s investment has not been revealed. The focus of their collaboration will be to enhance Lionsgate’s content offerings, including expanding its talent management and production division, 3 Arts Entertainment, into emerging sectors like sports and influencer-driven media.
Steven Paul, who heads Crystal Sky Pictures and SP Media Group, has a track record of successful films, including the Baby Geniuses series and various titles featuring Nicolas Cage and Scarlett Johansson, among others. Recently, he has been actively engaging with actor Jon Voight to propose initiatives to assist the U.S. entertainment sector, including advocating for a federal tax incentive for film and television projects. During a meeting at the White House, Paul emphasized the importance of such incentives for his upcoming film about Richard Nixon, which may need to be filmed abroad without financial support from the government.
Lionsgate’s CEO Jon Feltheimer expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting Paul’s experience and the potential for mutual growth in the evolving media landscape. Paul echoed these sentiments, stating his eagerness to deepen their business relationship within a thriving industry.
In addition to film, Paul’s SP Group holds interests in various sectors such as technology, hospitality, banking, and real estate, featuring assets like the Samuel Goldwyn Building and the Casa Marella Boutique Hotel.
The collaboration was finalized with the assistance of executives from both companies, with financial advisement from Moelis for Lionsgate and Lazard for SP Media, and legal representation provided by Paul Hastings for SP Media.
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Lionsgate Forms Joint Venture With Steven Paul, Movie Producer Who Has Had Trump’s Ear
