Meet the team
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Phil Hunt Managing Director
An Innovator, Founder and cultural agitator, Phil founded Head Gear in 2002. Since then, Phil has founded Bohemia Media, a film distributor of under-represented voices; and Bankside Films, an international sales company.
Phil’s favourite film of 2021 was Rebel Dread, and he is most looking forward to the release of Everything Everywhere All at Once.
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Daniel Negret Chief Operating Officer
After several years working in Mergers and Acquisitions, Daniel transitioned into the film industry via a master’s in Producing from the NFTS. He has since worked in a variety of roles in media finance, including roles at Ingenious Media and Head Gear Films.
Daniel’s favourite film of 2021 was Nobody, and he is most looking forward to the release of The Black Phone.
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Samantha Allwinton Senior Investment Manager
Prior to Head Gear, Sam worked at Ingenious Media where she evaluated projects and managed the financial closing of independent feature films and TV series across Europe, the US and Australia. Before that, Sam worked for Working Title and Prescience.
Sam’s favourite film of 2021 was Tick, Tick…Boom, and she is most looking forward to the release of Top Gun: Maverick.
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Orlando Figg Investment Associate
Following a master’s in International Film Business at the London Film School, as well as a stint at the international sales outfit Hanway Films, Orlando joined the Head Gear team in 2019. Since then, he has been involved in the structured finance of over 50 films.
His favourite film of 2021 was Riders of Justice, and he is most looking forward to the release of The Innocents.
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Denis Barry Investment Analyst
Following his graduation in 2021, Denis left Ireland to combine his education in business with his passion for Film and TV. Working as an Analyst, Denis assists in and arranges funding for various projects, liaising closely with the producers from inception to completion.
His favourite film of 2021 was Dune, and he is most looking forward to the release of Babylon.
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James Cannon Investment Analyst
A film and TV executive with experience across both acquisitions and development, James also has a master’s degree from NFTS. He worked as an independent producer and then at Universal Pictures before joining Head Gear’s investment team.
His favourite film of 2021 was Mass, and he is most looking forward to the release of Crimes of the Future.
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Carine Hejazi Risk and Loan Portfolio Manager
After graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Carine spent 10 years working in banking. Following a Master’s at the NFTS and various stints for studios and independents, Carine joined Head Gear where she monitors the company loans.
Carine’s favourite film of 2021 was Titane, and she is most looking forward to the release of Crimes of the Future.
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Charlie Kemball Head of Acquisitions and Packaging
Prior to Head Gear, Charlie was International Sales Director at London based Altitude Film as well as Focus Features. He joined Head Gear to help source projects across film and TV, and to provide key packaging services.
Charlie’s favourite film of 2021 was Another Round, and he is most looking forward to the release of Triangle of Sadness.
Origin
Story
While producing independent films, our founder Phil Hunt, experienced first hand the many challenges faced when raising finance. He knew there had to be a better way.
In 2002, Phil founded Head Gear Films to address those very challenges.
Since inception, we’ve been led by our key principles – to be producer friendly, quick, responsive, and bespoke. These principles have taken us from financing two films a year, to over forty a year.
More importantly, they’ve helped us become the financier of choice for many independent producers and have allowed us to help get hundreds of films off the ground over two decades.
Our team works hard to maintain these principles every day.
Get in touch and see for yourself.
Get In
Touch
Let us know a bit about your project and one of the team will be in touch as soon as possible. Before submitting your project, you can refer to our FAQs section for more information on what we require.