Meet the team
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Phil Hunt Founder & Chief Executive Officer
An innovator, founder and cultural agitator, Phil founded Head Gear in 2002. Since then, Phil has founded Bohemia Media, a UK distributor of under-represented voices, and Bankside Films, an international sales company.
Phil’s favourite film of 2022 was Rebel Dread, and he is most looking forward to the release of Barbie.
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Samantha Allwinton Chief Operating Officer
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 2022 was Top Gun: Maverick, and she is most looking forward to the release of Oppenheimer.
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Charlie Kemball Head of Acquisitions & 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 2022 was All Quiet on the Western Front, and he is most looking forward to the release of Oppenheimer.
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Denis Barry Senior Investment Analyst
Following his graduation in 2021, Denis left Ireland to start his first job in the film industry as part of the investment team at Head Gear. Working as an Analyst, Denis manages and arranges funding for various film and TV projects, liaising closely with the producers from inception to completion.
Denis’ favourite film of 2022 was Top Gun: Maverick, and he is most looking forward to the release of Poor Things.
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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.
James’ favourite film of 2022 was Corsage, and he is most looking forward to the release of Sometimes I Think About Dying.
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Walid Said Portfolio Manager
Prior to joining Head Gear’s investment team, Walid spent several years in consulting & finance. He first pivoted into film by writing and directing some short films. Walid has a B.B.A in finance & theatre from Emory University and a MSc in finance from Imperial Business School.
Walid’s favourite film of 2022 was Tár, and he is most looking forward to the release of Napoleon.
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Iris Cohen Production/Post-Production Monitor
Prior to Head Gear, Iris worked on the Production team at the BFI Film Fund with a focus on debut features and immersive content. Before that, she worked at Discovery Networks International and as a production freelancer. Iris is also currently on the NFTS Post Production Supervisor course.
Iris’ favourite film of 2023 was Theatre Camp, and she is most looking forward to the release of Poor Things.
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Juliana Lynch Marketing & Communications Associate
Juliana completed an MA in Marketing, Distribution, Sales & Exhibition at the NFTS before joining the Head Gear team. She is thrilled to bring her passion for film and TV to the company, where she manages marketing, new business outreach, and publicity strategies.
Juliana’s favourite film of 2022 was Top Gun: Maverick, and she is most looking forward to the release of How to Have Sex.
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Eve Hobsbawm Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Eve studied Film Studies, English Literature, and Theatre Studies at A-Level before working as a freelance social media manager for Film and TV marketing campaigns. She is overjoyed to combine her passion for creativity and fascination with storytelling as part of the Marketing & Communications team.
Eve’s favourite film of 2022 was Close, and she is most looking forward to the release of Barbie.
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Jason Wedderburn Finance Analyst
Jason is an experienced finance professional with a background in Economics. Prior to joining Head Gear, he worked in finance for creative industries, such as fashion. He now applies his expertise to help provide innovative financing solutions for the film industry.
Jason’s favourite film of 2022 was Nope, and he is most looking forward to the release of Napoleon.
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Alex Lamb Intern
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 intern, he supports the team with administration and data management.
Alex’s favourite film of 2023 was The Zone of Interest, and he is most looking forward to the release of Dune: Part Two.
Origin
Story
While an independent film producer, 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 collaborative, flexible, dependable, bespoke, and producer-friendly. These principles have taken us from financing two films a year, to over forty.
More importantly, they’ve made us the financier of choice for many independent producers – sparking life into hundreds of films across 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.