John Penotti

John Penotti is an American film and television producer known for his work in both Hollywood and international markets.[1][2] In 2013, he founded Ivanhoe Pictures,[3] a company specializing in local-language productions. Ivanhoe later merged with Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, forming SK Global Entertainment, where Penotti served as a founder and CEO. SK Global was acquired by London-based investment firm Centricus in 2022.[4]

Penotti is recognized for producing Crazy Rich Asians, directed by Jon M. Chu, a film notable for its all-Asian cast and significant impact on Hollywood's approach to diversity.[5] The movie achieved commercial success, ranking among the highest-grossing romantic comedies and is credited with fostering a renewed interest in diverse, culturally-centered storytelling.[6]

Penotti's work extends across numerous regions, including Asia, Europe, and Latin America, where he has developed and produced content in various local languages. His projects include the Netflix series Thai Cave Rescue, the acclaimed Korean thriller The Wailing, and the Hindi-language Delhi Crime, which won an International Emmy.[7][8] Other notable productions include Hell or High Water,[9] a 2017 Academy Award nominee for Best Picture, and Greta, directed by Neil Jordan. Through partnerships in China, Thailand, India, South Korea, and beyond, Penotti has played a prominent role in bridging talent and resources between Hollywood and international film industries.[10]

  1. ^ "John Penotti | Producer, Location Management, Second Unit Director or Assistant Director". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  2. ^ Gordon, Meryl (2004-01-23). "Is GreeneStreet the next Miramax? - Fisher Stevens - John Penotti - Nymag". New York. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  3. ^ Zeitchick, Steven (2018-08-15). "The little-known film company that made 'Crazy Rich Asians' possible". The Washington Post.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Weprin, Alex (2022-09-29). "'Crazy Rich Asians' Producer SK Global Sells Majority Stake to Private Equity Firm Centricus". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  5. ^ Barnes, Brooks (2018-08-19). "'Crazy Rich Asians' Tops Box Office, Proving Power of Diversity (Again)". The New York Times.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Sims, David (2018-08-24). "Hollywood Can't Ignore the Success of 'Crazy Rich Asians'". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  7. ^ Adlakha, Akanksha (2020-11-24). "Delhi Crime wins the Best Drama Series award at the 48th International Emmy Awards". Vogue India. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  8. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2020-11-23). "'Delhi Crime,' Glenda Jackson, Billy Barratt Triumph at International Emmy Awards". Variety. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  9. ^ "'Hell or High Water' Producers on How the Movie Reflects the U.S. Today". PBS SoCal. 2016-07-16. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  10. ^ Wallenstein, Andrew (2019-03-05). "Listen: How John Penotti Could Get 'Crazy Rich' Beyond Asia". Variety. Retrieved 2024-11-15.