Key Staff - Biography's

A 38 year veteran of the film and television industry world-wide, Antony I. Ginnane is currently president of Los Angeles and Melbourne based IFM World Releasing Inc. which he founded with Executive Vice-President Ann Lyons in 1996, as well as Australian production company FG Film Productions (Australia) Pty Ltd.

Since 1970, Ginnane has produced, co-produced and executive produced 60 feature films, TV movies and mini series in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, the Philippines and Eastern Europe including classics such as “Patrick”, “High Tide” and “The Lighthorsemen”, and more recently “Screamers”, “Look @ Me”, “Ten Dead Men” and “Screamers 2: Survival Instinct” and in 2009 “Arctic Blast”.

He was a partner in distribution company start-ups and joint ventures in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Hong Kong through the ‘80’s and moved to Hollywood in 1991.

From 1991 to 1995 he consulted to Fries Entertainment in film distribution and film financing and continues to advise various international film funding bodies.

Ginnane oversees IFM’s activities in world-wide distribution, acquisition, production and financing and has spearheaded its growth into a 150 title movie and TV series catalogue entity which produces and executive produces film and TV movies world wide.

With Australian exhibitor Robert Ward he founded in 2008 the IFM World Releasing Inc. / Filmways Multi Media Joint Venture – an all rights Australasian distributor it launched in 2009 with Andrzej Wajda’s critically acclaimed “Katyn” as its first release.

He is a member of the Producers Guild of America and BAFTA Los Angeles and sits on the IFTA (formally AFMA) TV, Legal and Export Alliance Sub committees. Ginnane has written numerous articles on the motion picture industry and appeared on many panels relating to film financing, distribution and co production. His memoir “Reel Life Real Life – Some Scenes Objectionable” is due for publication in 2010. Co founder of the Screen Producers Association of Australia’s digital film festival, DigiSPAA, now in its fifth year. He has served since 2008 as President of SPAA.

Ann Lyons - Executive Vice President

Ann Lyons began her ties to the entertainment industry in England in 1972 at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama where she assisted with incoming enrolment hopefuls. She emigrated to Australia and began her film industry career in 1976 when she first joined the Melbourne-based Studio Corporation and subsequently industry leader The Film House, a commercials and motion picture production group. She initially worked as an assistant to Fred Schepisi and later supervised post production activities.

She joined Antony I. Ginnane at F. G. Film Productions in South Melbourne in 1981 and collaborated on the production and financing of theatrical motion pictures in Australia and New Zealand including “Turkey Shoot”, “High Tide” and “The Lighthorsemen”; later supervising their Australian and international distribution.

Ann relocated to Los Angeles in 1993 and consulted to Fries Distribution, a leading film and TV movie producer and distributor, presenting its inventory of 100 titles internationally. While at Fries, Ann supervised production and post production on Fries sci-fi production ”Screamers” starring Peter Weller, which was released in the USA and much of international by Columbia Tristar.

In 1996 Ann collaborated with Antony I. Ginnane in setting up IFM Film Associates Inc. in Los Angeles as a boutique international film sales licensing and executive production entity. After a successful launch at Cannes 1996, IFM has acquired and presented over 90 new productions including “Black Light”, “Pariah”, “Blind Heat”, “Under Hellgate Bridge”, “Reign in Darkness” and “In the Red”.

Ann’s film credits include “The Truth About Juliet” (Executive Producer 1997), “Black Light (Executive Producer 1998), “Sweet Revenge” (Executive Producer 2000), “The Hit” (Executive Producer 2002) and "10 Dead Men" in 2007. In 1999 Ann re-established IFM’s Melbourne Office from which South East Asian territories and Australasia sales are supervised.

She now splits her time between Melbourne and Los Angeles and serves as Executive Vice President of both IFM Film Associates Inc. (Ginnane’s executive production and film financing entity) and IFM World Releasing Inc. (Ginnane’s distribution group).

Anthony J. Lyons - Vice President - International

Anthony James Lyons joined the IFM team in early 1998.

He has a wide and varied set of responsibilities at IFM, focusing on sales to the European, Japanese, and various Asian territories.

He supervises both the marketing division and servicing department along with interfacing with the international press on all matters including publicity and advertising.

With a strong background in computers, he was responsible for bringing IFM up to date and streamlining their computer systems early on in his appointment and continues to do so today.

With his attendance at 7 or 8 markets per year, he is most often found on the road (or rather a 747) and splits any free time equally between the Los Angeles and Melbourne offices.

David Makhlout - Director International Sales

David John Makhlout joined the IFM team in 2000 following a decade's prior experience in sales and administration.

At IFM, he specializes in the territories of South East Asia and the Middle East. He has attended the AFM, MIP-TV, MIPCOM, DISCOP and ATF on a regular basis and has built up a growing portfolio of relationships with buyers both big and small in each region.

He prides himself on his personal rapport with clients, crafting both competitive and innovative packages, and individual deals. He is primarily based in IFM's Melbourne office.