In a move that’s as unexpected as a land-locked shark tornado, the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) has elected Paul Bales, a partner and chief operating officer at the prolific genre production group The Asylum, as its new chair.
This appointment, succeeding Clay Epstein of Film Mode Entertainment, isn’t merely a changing of the guard; it signals a fascinating, perhaps even audacious, recalibration of what “independent” truly means in the volatile landscape of global cinema.
For those unfamiliar with The Asylum, its name conjures images of direct-to-video delights, “mockbusters” like Bullet Train Down and Jurassic Domination, and the cult phenomenon that is the Sharknado franchise.
Their films are not typically found gracing the red carpets of Cannes or Sundance for their artistic merit, but rather thriving in the digital ether and on cable channels, often capitalizing on the buzz of Hollywood blockbusters with their distinctively low-budget, high-concept premises.
To have a figure from such an operation at the helm of an organization representing international film and television companies – producers, financiers, distributors, and sales groups worldwide – is a powerful statement.
Bales, who has been with The Asylum since 2006, brings a different kind of industry wisdom to the IFTA chair.
While some might view The Asylum’s output with a sneer, their consistent ability to produce, market, and distribute a high volume of content, year after year, speaks volumes about their commercial acumen and adaptability.
In an era where traditional distribution models are crumbling and the fight for audience attention is fiercer than ever, The Asylum’s resilience is, in its own way, a testament to the very definition of independent survival.
Before his tenure at The Asylum, Bales also served as National Director of SAGIndie, the Screen Actors Guild outreach program for independent producers, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to the independent sector, albeit from a pragmatic, ground-level perspective.
He has also served multiple terms on the IFTA Board since 2015, indicating deep familiarity with the organization’s mission and operations.
In his inaugural statement, Bales acknowledged the “challenging times for the industry,” expressing pride in serving alongside an “experienced and thoughtful group of Directors.”
He articulated IFTA’s commitment to “supporting their efforts to get independent films made and to reach audiences around the world.”
This sentiment, coming from a man whose company built an empire on getting films made – often quickly and efficiently – and reaching audiences, however niche, through sheer volume and clever marketing, carries a particular weight.
It suggests a focus not just on artistic vision, but on the practical, often gritty, business of cinematic production and distribution.
Jean Prewitt, IFTA President and CEO, who is set to depart her post at the end of the year, lauded Bales’ “deep understanding of our business and unwavering commitment to IFTA,” predicting an “outstanding Chairperson.”
Her words, delivered amidst her own impending departure, underscore a period of significant transition for the organization.
Bales’ leadership, coupled with the newly appointed and continuing Board members, will be tasked with navigating a landscape fraught with both peril and opportunity.
The newly elected board members represent a diverse cross-section of the independent film world.
Joining for their first term are TPC managing director Scott Bedno, Entertainment Squad CEO Shaked Berenson, Artist View Entertainment President and CEO Scott Jones, Studiocanal head of international sales Chloé Marquet, Highland Film Group COO Delphine Perrier, Vision Films director and CEO Lise Romanoff, and director of Gleneagles Films Michael Ryan.
Their fresh perspectives will blend with the experience of returning members, including Arclight Films CFO Brian Beckmann, Film Seekers managing director Caroline Couret-Delegue, Michael Dwyer, EVP, worldwide sales and distribution at Resurgence Media Group, Odin Eye Entertainment CEO Michael Favelle, AGC Studios SVP of worldwide sales and distribution Diane Ferrandez, Protagonist Pictures CCO George Hamilton, and Alice Laffille, VP of international sales at FilmNation Entertainment.
This collective expertise will be crucial as IFTA continues its vital work, including operating the annual American Film Market, the latest edition of which runs in Los Angeles from November 11-16.
Bales’ appointment signals a potential shift in the independent film conversation – perhaps away from purely artistic veneration and towards a more robust embrace of commercial viability, market responsiveness, and sheer industriousness.
It’s a recognition that in challenging times, the ability to simply get a film made and seen, regardless of its critical reception, is a victory in itself.
The “Sharknado” producer leading IFTA might just be the pragmatic, no-nonsense leadership the independent sector needs to weather the current storms and find new pathways to audiences worldwide.
It’s a bold choice, and one that will undoubtedly shape the discourse around independent cinema for years to come.
