‘Talk To Me’ Backer Head Gear Opens U.S. Arm With Ambitious Indie Investment Plan

Head Gear Films is opening a US division and plans to invest $120 million in American independent film and television in its first year. Co-founder Phil Hunt says the expansion will increase the company’s presence in a market that already accounts for more than half its deal flow, and position it to help producers meet financing needs as a proposed federal tax credit advances through Congress.

Former Head Gear Films chief operating officer Samantha Allwinton will lead the Denver-based unit as director of operations, working between Denver and Los Angeles. The company, which has helped finance films including Talk to Me, The Apprentice and How to Have Sex, says it supports about 30 films a year and acts as hands-on executive producer on roughly a third. Hunt also plans to expand its production support, helping producers package projects, arrange finance and manage business affairs.