Frank Donner is an Oscar-nominated and CLIO-award winning producer whose career in the industry began as an actor by studying with Stella Adler alongside Mark Ruffalo, Salma Hayek, and Benicio del Toro. Frank has been intertwined with the entertainment industry in various capacities and has built several successful post-production and technology companies from the ground up, including Electrofilm Digital Studios. In 2009, Frank founded BLKBX Creative Group, a Los Angeles-based innovative digital marketing agency which has crafted some of the most successful promotional campaigns for leading films and television shows, including SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, ZOOTOPIA, A WRINKLE IN TIME, and FANTASTIC BEASTS to name a few.
Frank's passion for partnering with top brands and talented individuals is the core of BLKBX Originals' vision. Chicago born and bred, Frank has long called Los Angeles his home where you can often find him hiking the Hollywood hills alongside his cherished canine companions or enjoying an Americano at one of his favorite coffee spots around LA.
Frank's passion for partnering with top brands and talented individuals is the core of BLKBX Originals' vision. Chicago born and bred, Frank has long called Los Angeles his home where you can often find him hiking the Hollywood hills alongside his cherished canine companions or enjoying an Americano at one of his favorite coffee spots around LA.
Chris Phillips is a finance professional with 25 years of experience. Starting in 1986 with Panavision, Inc., Mr. Phillips has worked as a controller, senior vice president of finance and specifically as a chief financial officer for four companies, Four Media Company, Liberty Livewire, SDI Media and Black Box Creative Group, all within the entertainment industry. Mr. Phillips' extensive finance background and industry experience is a valuable addition for the Black Box Creative Group.
Emerson Machtus (Vice President & Co-Head of Content) is an Emmy and Peabody Award nominated filmmaker who has been actively working in the International Film Business for over 15 years in different capacities including production, creative development, acquisitions, international sales, film distribution and financing.
He has negotiated theatrical deals with studios in multiple continents including domestic theatrical distribution of films he acquired and produced with MGM and 20th Century Fox. He has produced and been involved as an executive on over 20 titles. His documentary “Changing The Game” was nominated for an Emmy, Peabody and Critic's Choice Awards. He has participated in film panels at Festivals and has also served as an MFA Professor of Entertainment Business at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles.
He has negotiated theatrical deals with studios in multiple continents including domestic theatrical distribution of films he acquired and produced with MGM and 20th Century Fox. He has produced and been involved as an executive on over 20 titles. His documentary “Changing The Game” was nominated for an Emmy, Peabody and Critic's Choice Awards. He has participated in film panels at Festivals and has also served as an MFA Professor of Entertainment Business at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles.
Kimberly Montini (Head of Development and Operations) is a producer and development executive hailing from the prolific indie film production company, Cranium Entertainment. For nearly 15 years, she worked alongside Cranium's founder, the late Emmy award-winning producer, Ash Christian, developing unique and impactful projects for both specialized and mainstream audiences.
As the head of development for Cranium, Kimberly produced and developed several projects including the award-winning indie feature film and Tribeca Festival alum FAT GIRLS, about a gay teenager struggling to find himself in a small Texas town; AS THEY MADE US, written and directed by Mayim Bialik and starring Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergman, and Dianna Agron; and the dark comedy feature film, THE KILL ROOM, which reunites Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson. When she's not busy producing or reading screenplays, she's binging on various content; almost every genre but horror.
As the head of development for Cranium, Kimberly produced and developed several projects including the award-winning indie feature film and Tribeca Festival alum FAT GIRLS, about a gay teenager struggling to find himself in a small Texas town; AS THEY MADE US, written and directed by Mayim Bialik and starring Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergman, and Dianna Agron; and the dark comedy feature film, THE KILL ROOM, which reunites Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson. When she's not busy producing or reading screenplays, she's binging on various content; almost every genre but horror.
Kimberlyn Austin (Creative Development Manager) was born and raised in the creative industry. Starting as an actor in utero (her mom did ultrasound commercials) and spending most of her life on stage, Kimberlyn eventually made her way to Temple University, where she gained her Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater. Studying alongside actors, designers, writers and filmmakers, and starring in a handful of student films and stage plays, she honed her craft and continued to develop her knowledge and skill set.
After spending a few years working in corporate America after graduation, it was only a matter of time before she found her way back to the creative world with BLKBX in 2021. Kimberlyn currently lives in rural Washington, where, when she isn't working, she spends her time tending to her garden and doting on her two cats, her dog, and her fiance. She used to think she spent too much time watching tv, but rests easier now, knowing it's all a part of the job description.
After spending a few years working in corporate America after graduation, it was only a matter of time before she found her way back to the creative world with BLKBX in 2021. Kimberlyn currently lives in rural Washington, where, when she isn't working, she spends her time tending to her garden and doting on her two cats, her dog, and her fiance. She used to think she spent too much time watching tv, but rests easier now, knowing it's all a part of the job description.
Ashley Hoskins (Operations Coordinator) comes from the magical land of Perú to the dazzling lights of the film industry, meet the one and only Ashley Hoskins! Starting her journey in the world of theater, Ashley's talent for drama was evident even before she could spell "oscillating." But like a curious cat chasing a laser pointer, she couldn't resist exploring more artistic realms. So off she went to Emerson College, diving headfirst into the visual arts! Since then, Ashley's been on a rollercoaster ride through the freelance film world, racking up more roles than a seasoned actor at an audition.
From production coordinating productions to crafting art designs and even being the magician behind the camera, she's dipped her toes into every filmmaking flavor imaginable. But when she's not busy turning dreams into reality with BLKBX, Ashley morphs into a globe-trotting wanderer. Armed with her trusty camera and an insatiable appetite for adventure, she traverses the globe, on the lookout for untold stories hidden in the nooks and crannies of our vast planet.
From production coordinating productions to crafting art designs and even being the magician behind the camera, she's dipped her toes into every filmmaking flavor imaginable. But when she's not busy turning dreams into reality with BLKBX, Ashley morphs into a globe-trotting wanderer. Armed with her trusty camera and an insatiable appetite for adventure, she traverses the globe, on the lookout for untold stories hidden in the nooks and crannies of our vast planet.
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