During the past five years, the Yari Film Group has firmly anchored itself as one of the premiere homes for independent films. We take pride in collaborating with filmmakers and bringing forth their creative visions. From seasoned veterans -- such as Lasse Hallström, Paul Haggis, and Sidney Lumet -- to first time writers and directors, we continue to seek out innovative stories and storytellers.
In addition to our success financing and producing quality films, the Yari Film Group has launched its own domestic distribution division under the Yari Film Group Releasing banner. Yari Film Group Releasing strives to create entertaining films, while never sacrificing quality and the unique visions of our filmmakers. In such a short period, our critical and commercial achievements are proof of our success and staying power... and we look forward to an even brighter future.
BOB YARI
President and Chief Executive Officer
DENNIS BROWN
Chief Financial Officer
Dennis Brown is the Chief Financial Officer of Yari Film Group, LLC, and the Chief Operating Officer of Triyar Companies, LLC. He has over 25 years of experience in Finance and Accounting.
As CFO of YFG, Dennis' primary responsibilities include oversight of all accounting and financial operations, including film financing, budgeting and forecasting and managing the core assets of the company. Armed with financial acumen, business savvy and strategic relationships in the realm of banking, Dennis has helped to mold Yari Film Group into a leading independent film production, financing and distribution company. His solid work ethic, ingenuity and sheer willingness to "think outside the box" have been instrumental in securing some of the most innovative and lucrative financial packages in the independent film market today.
Dennis joined Bob Yari in 1996 as CFO of Triyar Companies, LLC, a real estate investment and management company. In 2001, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer to oversee the real estate operations, consisting of over six million square feet of office, retail and residential properties and approximately 250 employees. His experience includes construction, redevelopment, acquisitions, finance and management of commercial and residential properties. Dennis is also on the Board of Directors of an Aerospace company.
Prior to joining Triyar Companies, LLC in 1996, Dennis was a partner in a Certified Public Accounting firm based in Los Angeles, California. He has over 15 years of experience in public accounting, providing services in income taxes, estate planning, finance, audits, reviews and internal controls. His industry concentration includes real estate, manufacturing, distribution and restaurants.
DAVID GLASSER
Chief Creative Officer
With more than a decade of experience in foreign sales and unparalleled relationships across the international marketplace, David C. Glasser serves as Chief Creative Officer of Yari Film Group and president of Los Angeles-based Syndicate Films International, LLC, the foreign sales and production division of Yari Film Group. Since its founding in Fall 2003, Syndicate has established itself as a leading and competitive force in the foreign sales and financing arena of feature films with global appeal.
Overseeing an impressive sales slate of films produced by YFG, Glasser has been responsible for the overseas box office success of numerous projects in recent months including The Illusionist, a romantic thriller, starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biel, among others; the $60 million police thriller Hostage starring Bruce Willis; the critically acclaimed drama Crash starring Brendan Fraser, Terrance Howard, Lorenz Tate, Matt Dillon, Ryan Phillipe, Sandra Bullock and Don Cheadle, which took home the 2006 Oscar for Best Picture; Thumbsucker, a quirky comedy starring Keanu Reeves which was a 2005 Sundance Film Festival award winner; Prime, a romantic comedy starring Uma Thurman, Meryl Streep and Bryan Greenburg. Currently in production is The Painted Veil, a period love story starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts, directed by John Curran.
Glasser also plays a significant role on the management committee of Yari Film Group, and has been instrumental in association with Bob Yari and others in the rapid growth and success of the company. Based on years of experience with foreign buyers and distributors, he is known as a professional who has vision and understanding of foreign market trends and brings films of importance and substance to the international markets.
Glasser entered the foreign sales business representing small feature films in the international marketplace. In 1993, he founded Cutting Edge Entertainment, which produced and distributed over 20 films. In February 2003, Glasser formed a strategic partnership with Splendid Media AG of Cologne, Germany. During his tenure with Splendid, he sold and produced such projects as the critically acclaimed Narc, starring Ray Liotta and Jason Patric, which was subsequently acquired by Paramount's Cruise Wagner Productions and Lions Gate Films and selected for the Dramatic Competition at Sundance 2002 Festival and the box office hits, Agent Cody Banks I & II, starring Frankie Muniz.
WILLIAM J. IMMERMAN
Chief Operating Officer
William J. Immerman is the Chief Operating Officer of Yari Film Group, LLC and its affiliated companies.
Bill began his career as a Deputy District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles and soon after entered the motion picture industry with American International Pictures ("AIP") as Associate Counsel.
During his seven years at AIP, Immerman acted a Director of Business Affairs, Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Board, and Vice President of Business Affairs. While at AIP, Immerman also served on the board of directors of The International Film Importers and Distributors of America, Inc.
With a career spanning over 40 years, Bill was Senior Executive Vice President of the Feature Film Division of Twentieth Century Fox, representing Fox on the board of directors of both the Motion Picture Association of America and Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers. He has also been Vice Chairman of Cannon Pictures, Inc. and under contract to Warner Bros. as a producer.
Bill has established several independent production companies including Salem Productions and Cinema Group, Inc., the first motion picture company to raise start up money from Wall Street through both an initial private placement and a subsequent public offering. Bill has produced or executive produced more than 18 motion pictures including Academy Award winner "Ray."
Prior to joining Yari Film Group, Bill served as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Crusader Entertainment, LLC, an Anschutz Film Group company.
Bill is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and has served as an arbitrator for the Independent Film and Television Alliance (formerly AFMA), the non-profit membership organization of all the leading international motion picture distributors. In addition, he is recognized as an expert on the motion picture industry by many of the courts in the U.S. and frequently testifies in arbitrations and court cases, federal, state and international, as an expert.
