Xenon Pictures, Inc. came into existence amid the birth of the domestic video business and the near eradication of “pure play” theatrical film distribution. Founded in 1986 with $17,000 in startup capital, Xenon entered a marketplace dominated by a number of now defunct companies with names like Karl-Lorimar, Vestron, Live Entertainment and Carolco. Over the years, the company has stitched together its business methodologies and philosophies by understanding what these and other companies did right, what they did wrong, and what an independent distributor must do to remain vital and maintain a sense of competitive advantage while competing in a marketplace dominated by major conglomerates with significantly greater resources, capacity and proprietary broadcast and retail infrastructure.

Xenon is recognized in the industry for developing the nation’s first label for independent black cinema. In developing this market niche, the company acquired and produced a wide spectrum of content, including the work of ’70s masters Melvin Van Peebles (Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song) and Rudy Ray Moore (Dolemite), definitive biographies on Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahalia Jackson, films featuring hip hop stars like Snoop Dogg, Tupac and Dr. Dre, and contemporary films from important current directors such as Julie Dash (Rosa Parks Story) and Robert Townsend (Jackie’s Back).

In August of 2002, Xenon signed a landmark deal with Mexican media powerhouse Grupo Televisa to develop and be the exclusive distributor for its domestic video brand, Televisa Home Entertainment. Working with a wide range of dynamic programming, such as classic television series, top-rated telenovelas, documentaries on major Latin stars, and theatrical features, Xenon has positioned Televisa to be the dominant brand in the Latin/Spanish-language genre.

Apart from its activities in the black audience and Latin/Spanish genres, Xenon is committed to the acquisition of independent films, documentaries and television content that will provoke, excite and inspire consumers, and can be positioned to stand tall on the shelves of a wide spectrum of U.S. retailers, television programmers and digital customers. Current releases include Rob Schneider’s The Chosen One, Double Wedding starring Tia and Tamera Mowry, Down For Life starring Danny Glover, Elizabeth Pena and Snoop Dogg, Matty Hanson and the Invisibility Ray starring emerging teen star Keir Gilchrist and The Matador’s Mistress with Penelope Cruz and Adrien Brody among others.

In early 2010, after working for several years with both Vivendi/Universal and Lionsgate, Xenon entered into a distribution partnership with Portland- based Allegro Media Group for the physical distribution of its DVDs. Television, international and all digital rights are handled through various strategic partnerships.

Xenon’s corporate philosophy can be distilled down to a few simple maxims: innovate don’t imitate; listen to what consumers want and find it; enter a niche and make a commitment to it; embrace filmmakers whose actions speak to their goals; and remain ahead of the curve, with the ability to think and execute in ways that the major studios haven’t yet contemplated.

Leigh Savidge
Founder, President and CEO
lsavidge@xenonpictures.com

In June of 1998, The Los Angeles Times proclaimed that Leigh “pioneered the video market for films geared to young African-Americans.”  A former stand-up comedian, free-lance journalist and film editor, Leigh built Xenon from an under-financed pipe dream with one program and no major customers into one of the film industry’s most successful independent distributors. Leigh structured the company as a low-overhead boutique shop and built the sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure necessary for the Company to compete for global shelf space against major and independent studios alike.  Leigh graduated from Boston University, Magna Cum Laude, with a B.S. degree.

Stephen A. Housden
E. V. P / Chief Operating Officer
housden@xenonpictures.com

An 18-year Xenon veteran, Steve is the Company’s principal operations, acquisitions and marketing executive.  He is credited with creating the company’s image as seen through the numerous dynamic marketing programs and campaigns he has overseen.  Steve has considerable contract negotiations experience and also produced a number of Xenon’s in-house films, including Welcome to Death Row.  He has a B.A. degree in East Asian Languages from UCLA.

Kent Little
Chief Financial Officer

A 24-year video industry veteran (17 at Xenon), Kent is Xenon’s principal executive for financial matters and oversees all of the Company’s accounting, royalty reporting and treasury management functions.  He is also involved in operations and acquisitions.  Kent holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kansas State University.

Brett Peterson, CPA
Controller
brett@xenonpictures.com

Joining the Xenon management team in 2010, Brett has extensive accounting and financial reporting experience in the entertainment, internet and manufacturing industries, working for companies including Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., DTS, Inc. and KPMG LLP.  His experience also encompasses considerable knowledge of internal control assessment and process improvement, acquisition due diligence and international operations.  Brett has an Accounting degree from CSU Northridge and holds an active CPA license.

Alan Wenkus
Publicity & Marketing :
awenkus@xenonpictures.com

Alan Wenkus has been a creative media executive for over 20 years. After attending Boston University, Alan worked at top rated radio stations in Los Angeles and New York City before becoming Creative Director for Premiere Radio Networks and VP of Comedy Programming for Clear Channel Communications. While at Clear Channel Alan oversaw a staff of 50 that created syndicated programming and advertising content for over 1200 radio stations nationwide. He’s executed successful digital ad campaigns for several national companies combining traditional online advertising strategy with interactive social media. Alan has also been instrumental in creating popular online video content that has gotten millions of views and has written several movies including the Eazy E/NWA biopic "Straight Outta Compton" which is now in pre-production at New Line/Warner Brothers.

Customer Service:
customerservice@xenonpictures.com

Sales Information:
sales@xenonpictures.com

International Sales:
internationalsales@xenonpictures.com

General Information:
info@xenonpictures.com

Submissions/Acquisitions:
submissions@xenonpictures.com

Web Site Team:
webmaster@xenonpictures.com

Xenon Pictures, Inc. • 1440 9th Street • Santa Monica , CA 90401
Phone: (310) 451-5510 • Fax: (310) 395-4058