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Our Story

Levantine Films is an independent motion picture production company that develops, produces and finances its projects. Founded by Jamal Daniel, Levantine Films is fully committed to finding and producing material that is character-driven, socially relevant and commercially viable.

In 2016, Levantine Films produced Hidden Figures, which grossed $230 million worldwide and was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Most recently, the company produced Blinded By The Light, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and was released by New Line Cinema later that year.

Levantine Films was also responsible for producing The Fundamentals of Caring, starring Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival as the Closing Night Film, as well as Beasts Of No Nation, directed by Cary Fukunaga, winner of the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the 72nd Venice Film Festival and the Cinema for Peace Award.

Mission

Developing & financing compelling, character-driven stories that entertain, spark conversation and bring awareness to underrepresented segments of society.

Management Team

Jamal Daniel

Jamal Daniel is the founder and CEO of Levantine Films as well as chair of the board. He has over thirty years of experience managing investments in media, technology, telecommunications and energy. Throughout this time, Jamal has remained committed to educational, humanitarian and artistic endeavors, with an emphasis on promoting multicultural understanding.

Jamal founded the Levant Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to furthering knowledge about Levantine culture and history in the Middle East. In 1999, the Levant Foundation helped launch the Foundation for Interreligious and Intercultural Research and Dialogue (FIIRD). FIIRD developed a program in Geneva, Switzerland to foster understanding between Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

In 2012, Jamal launched Al-Monitor, a news website offered in five languages that brings together writers from across the Middle East to share their unique perspectives. Al-Monitor was honored by the International Press Institute as a Free Media Pioneer in 2014.

Renee Witt

Renee Witt serves as Head of Development at Levantine Films. She began her career at William Morris and specialized as an executive in the development and production of books.

Her list of projects includes About a Boy, The Notebook, and The Time Traveler’s Wife. She spent nearly a decade at New Line Cinema, where she became VP of Development and Production, and later served as SVP at Laura Ziskin Productions and EVP at The Weinstein Company. Witt was a co-executive producer on Silver Linings Playbook, which she helped to develop.

Charlie McSpadden

Levantine Films’ VP of Development, began his career in film production working with the directors Whit Stillman, Steve McQueen and Darren Aronofsky.

Transitioning to work in film development, Charlie joined actor-producer Tobey Maguire at Material, an independent film production and finance company. At Material, McSpadden was named Director of Development, working on films including Z For Zachariah, The Best of Enemies and Brittany Runs A Marathon.

Michelle Upton

Vice President at Levantine Films. Michelle has extensive and diverse experience across the entertainment, media, hospitality, as well as a range of other industries. She leads Levantine’s contractual negotiations with studios and partners as well as other operational matters supporting film development.

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Levantine Films’ Board

Jamal Daniel

Jamal Daniel is the founder and CEO of Levantine Films as well as chair of the board. He has over thirty years of experience managing investments in media, technology, telecommunications and energy. 

Eric Stoerr

Senior Vice President at Crest Investment Company, member of Levantine Films board.  Eric has over 25 years of experience investing and operating investments including energy, midstream and hospitality.  Prior to joining Crest Investment Company, Eric held various executive positions at The Royal Bank of Scotland.

Jason Woods

Senior Vice President at Crest Investment Company, member of Levantine Films board.  Jason has over 25 years of experience investing and operating investments including technology, media, services and resources.  Prior to joining Crest Investment Company, Jason held various executive positions at Sun Microsystems.

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