About

Meet the team

Phil co-founded Head Gear in 2002. In a pre digital universe he was a photographer working with such bands as Big Audio Dynamite. He sporadically dusts off his Hasselblad and keeps meaning to change his name to Punk Rock Warlord.

Phil’s favourite films of 2025 were Smurfs, Warfare and Ocean with David Attenborough, and he is most looking forward to the release of The Cat in the Hat and Ice Cream Man.

Compton, along with Phil, is a co-founder of Head Gear. Over the last 24 years, Compton has been involved in nearly $1 billion of film production and has executive produced and/or produced more than 500 films.

Compton has also worked as a CEO in the international oil and gas industry for 48 years. He is a co-founder of the Metrol Technology Group. The group is internationally recognised for its innovation and developments and is considered one of the leading specialist service companies in the oil and gas industry.

With over 12 years of experience in the film industry, Sam has built a strong reputation for combining commercial insight with a deep understanding of the independent film financing process.

As COO, Sam oversees the company’s operations, strategy, and financing activity. Prior to Hear Gear, she was an Investment Manager at Ingenious Media, where she led the financial closing of independent film and TV projects worldwide. Sam is an alumna of Inside Pictures, the prestigious leadership programme for film executives and producers across Europe and the UK.

Sam’s favourite film of 2025 was Is This Thing On?, and she is most looking forward to the release of Project Hail Mary.

Charlie was the International Sales Director at Altitude Film, based in London. He also worked in sales and distribution at Focus Features. He joined Head Gear to source film and TV projects and to offer packaging services.

Charlie’s favourite film of 2025 was Sinners, and he is most looking forward to the release of Clayface.

Prior to Head Gear, Iris worked on the Production team at the BFI Film Fund, focusing on debut features and immersive content. She also worked at Discovery Networks International and as a production freelancer. Iris recently completed the Post Production Supervisor course at NFTS.

Iris’ favourite film of 2025 was Pillion, and she is currently looking forward to the release of I Love Boosters.

Having studied screenwriting and business studies in Ireland, Denis moved to London to pursue a career in film and has now worked on the Investments team for four years. As an associate, Denis liaises closely with producers throughout the project’s financing stages and has been across and led the financial closing of over thirty feature films and TV series.

Denis’s favourite film of 2025 was Marty Supreme, and he is most looking forward to the release of Werwulf.

A film and TV executive with experience across both acquisitions and development, James also has an MA in Marketing, Distribution, Sales and Exhibition from the NFTS. He worked as an independent producer and then at Universal Pictures before joining Head Gear’s Investments team. 

James’s favourite film of 2025 was The Ballad of Wallis Island, and he is most looking forward to the release of 500 Miles.

Alex has a BA in Classics from the University of Oxford. Prior to joining Head Gear, he spent seven months travelling around Central and South America. As an Investment Analyst, he collaborates with producers to structure and close the financing for film and TV projects.

Alex’s favourite film of 2025 was No Other Choice, and he is most looking forward to the release of Digger.

Federico holds an MSc in Entrepreneurship from UCL. He joins Head Gear from New Regency’s International Distribution team, where he worked across sales, market operations and TV acquisitions. Prior to this, he spent two years at Tempesta, working closely with producers and international partners on the company’s English-language slate.

Federico’s favorite film of 2025 was The Secret Agent, and he is most looking forward to the release of Three Incestuous Sisters.

David holds a BA in History from the University of Cambridge and an MA in History and Politics from Columbia University. Prior to joining Head Gear, he taught history at a charter school in New York before returning to London to work in investment management, focusing on portfolio management and hedge fund research for institutional investors.

David’s favourite film of 2025 was I’m Still Here, and he is most looking forward to the release of My Father’s Shadow.

Gianna holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Finance and Strategy from McGill University. Her experience spans film production, PR, and festival delivery across Canada and the UK, including work at TIFF and BFI Flare.

Gianna’s favourite film of 2025 was One Battle After Another, and she is most looking forward to the release of The Social Reckoning.

Prior to joining Head Gear, Carlotta worked at LipSync Post, supporting the Head of Department and Financial Director across a diverse slate of film and television projects. She has also produced several short projects with emerging filmmakers and is currently undertaking the NFTS course Producing Your First Feature.

Carlotta’s favourite film of 2025 was La Vita Va Cosi’, and she is most looking forward to the release of The Odyssey.

Hana’s favourite film of 2025 was Marty Supreme, and she is most looking forward to the release of Reptilia.

Shawny graduated with a degree in Media and Communications. She has worked for Phil Hunt and Head Gear for 5 years and is his professional gatekeeper (she will eventually take herself to Bali to do a silent yoga retreat with no phone…).

Shawny’s favourite film of 2025 was Sinners, and she is most looking forward to the release of Avengers: Doomsday.