Angad Paul
Chairman
Angad Paul was born in London and attended MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in Boston, where he received BAs in Economics and Media Arts & Sciences. He became extremely interested in film and pursued this passion immediately upon completing his studies. He helped develop and became Producer of the film “Bombay Boys” which went on to become one of the biggest grossing English films in India and among the top three in the year of its release. He followed this up by serving as Executive Producer on the immensely successful “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” which became a landmark event in British cinema and reached number one at the Box Office. Angad also served as Executive Producer on the follow-up “Snatch” which was released worldwide by Sony Pictures.
As Chairman of AV Pictures, Angad has supported the projects of several first-time British directors, including Phil Claydon on “Lesbian Vampire Killers” and Scott Mann on “The Tournament”. Both films generated extremely positive industry reaction, and will be released internationally throughout 2009.
Aside from his interests in media assets such as: AV Pictures, Cinescope Entertainment and Film 24, Angad is the Chief Executive of the Caparo Group of companies, which in total employs over 7,000 people in the UK, USA & India. He is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Established & Sons, a UK branded furniture design and manufacturing company, and is also Chairman and Co-Founder of Hapax Ltd, a company which has developed multi-patented NLP search technology.
In addition, he is a Patron of the SHINE Education Trust and is a Non-Executive Director of The Imperial College NHS Trust, a National Health Service Trust for West London Hospitals in association with the Imperial College of Science and Technology.
Angad co-founded the exclusive London clubs, Chinawhite and Aura, and more recently, Ghost.
Victor Bateman
Vice Chairman
Vic Bateman’s career in film spans over 30 years. He began in the contract administration department of British Lion, where he developed detailed knowledge of the commercial, financial and legal terms governing distribution arrangements on a global basis. He was promoted to the International Sales Division of what was by then EMI Films (subsequently Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment).
With Thorn EMI Vic achieved notable sales successes and established his reputation with film buyers worldwide, handling major films such as “The Deer Hunter”, “The Elephant Man”, “A Passage to India”, “All of Me”, “Highlander”, “The Hitcher”, “Death on the Nile” and “Murder on the Orient Express”.
In 1986 he joined K.R.G./Glinwood Films as Head of International Sales where he sold the Oscar-winning “The Last Emperor” and “The Big Easy”.
He co-founded United Media Film Sales in 1988 and was instrumental in the financing and worldwide sales of “The Krays”.
Victor Films was formed in 1991 and launched with “Split Second” starring Rutger Hauer, which was given a wide release in the USA and sold worldwide. Over the next 12 years with Victor Films and subsequently Victor Film Company, Vic handled sales on a range of films including the comedy “Staggered”, the action sci-fi “Death Machine” and the thriller “Killing Time”.
“Dog Soldiers”, co-financed by Victor Film Company, was a new spin on the werewolf legend with Sean Pertwee and Kevin McKidd, and was released nationwide in May 2002 to critical and commercial acclaim.
In January 2003, upon the sale of Victor Film Company, Vic joined Angad Paul to launch AV Pictures.
Chris Hainsworth
Managing Director
Chris is responsible for co-ordinating corporate and production finance.
Chris studied Philosophy Politics & Economics, before working for an Oxford-based economics consultancy, and subsequently training as a Chartered Accountant. He is a member of the Corporate Finance faculty of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, and of the Media & Entertainment and Valuations special interest groups.
Chris’ experience in the film industry ranges from four years at UK Film Council (providing general financial support, control and advice across the organisation, while gaining an overview of the international film industry and an appreciation of British film talent) to two years at Capitol Films (focusing on corporate finance and acquisitions as well as digital strategy, and gaining exposure to the US industry and investment banking community).
Chris speaks fluent French.
Caroline Couret-Delègue
Sales & Acquisitions Director
After working in feature film production in Hollywood on movies such as ” Big Stan” starring Rob Schneider, David Carradine and Jennifer Morrison , “The Last Word” with Winona Ryder and Wes Bentley (nominated for the Grand Jury prize at Sundance in 2008), “The Chosen One” starring Rob Schneider and Steve Buscemi, Caroline relocated to London to take on responsibilities at Seven Arts Pictures Plc. As Director of Development & Marketing she was responsible for the branding and packaging of all projects either for film markets or for film releases. On a corporate level, she rebranded the image of Seven Arts by leading the design of a new website and providing the sales teams with cutting edge communication tools. She was also involved with international sales and distribution of the Seven Arts’ slate. Through her consulting company, Cherry Picked Pictures, she recently worked in sales with International sales agent Aspect Film and production company Lunatique Films among other clients.
Caroline is a French native based in London who speaks fluent French, English and Spanish . She holds two post graduate master degrees one in Chemistry from the University of Versailles and the second one in Business Management from the University Montesquieu, Bordeaux.
Jane Carolan
Head of Marketing & Distribution
Jane Carolan has worked in the film industry for many years, having begun her career in the business working with Vic Bateman.
She first worked with Vic at EMI Films followed by time with J&M Entertainment, she then joined forces with Vic in the setting up of Victor Films.
After leaving Victor Films, Jane worked as the European Sales & Marketing Coordinator for Miramax International in their London office, liaising with European distributors on their handling of Miramax Pictures such as “Shakespeare in Love” and “Good Will Hunting”.
Following periods at Renaissance Films and IAC, Jane re-cemented her working relationship with Vic with the establishment of AV Pictures. Jane’s role within AV encompasses contract administration, credit control and marketing.
Lee Brazier
Director of Productions
and Acquisitions
Lee Brazier previously spent five years at FilmFour as a Creative Executive aiding development and production on a variety of titles including “Shaun of the Dead”, “Sexy Beast”, “Gangster No. 1” and “Buffalo Soldiers”. After the closure of FilmFour Lee focused on script consultancy and editing for a wide range of companies within the UK Film industry including Working Title, Pathe, Universal, Intermedia, UKFC and Scottish Screen.
Lee was hired by Norma Heyman and Bob Hoskins at Heyman Hoskins and was Production Executive for the company on “Mrs Henderson Presents”.
Joining AV Pictures in July 2008, Lee oversees Production and Acquisitions and has overseen production on a variety of films including “Twenty8k” written by Paul Abbott and “Jump” directed by Kieron J Walsh.
Lee has recently Executive Produced for AV Pictures “Best Laid Plans” staring Stephen Graham, “Truth Or Dare” directed by Rob Heath, “Comedown” directed by Menhaj Huda and “The Liability” staring Tim Roth. Lee will next produce alongside Angad Paul the trilogy “Gladiators V Werewolves” by Rob Green and the $18m adaptation Australia Co production of the explosive novel “Balefire”.
Gavin Braxton
Chief Executive Officer
Gavin has worked within the film industry for over 20 years and has covered a wide spectrum of functions within International Sales.
He first worked for ITC Distribution in 1987 and J&M Entertainment from 1988 -1990.
In 1990, Gavin moved on to Goldcrest Films International where he spent eight years of his career working in various roles such as Sales, Contracts and Finance.
Gavin left Goldcrest in 1998 and joined Guy East at Intermedia where he spent four successful years within the Sales & Distribution Department and worked on films such as 4 Woody Allen films, “Sliding Doors”, “The Wedding Planner” and “K-Pax”.
Following Intermedia’s decision to relocate to Los Angeles, Gavin teamed up with Thierry Wase Bailey and Jeremy Thomas at HanWay in September 2002.
In June 2004, Gavin joined AV Pictures utilizing all his past experience and major contacts throughout the film industry.