Overview

Gender

male

Investor Type

Angel

Investor Stage

Seed

Mark Amin is an Iranian American motion picture producer, writer and distributor who has worked in mainstream and independent cinema for more than two decades. A graduate of the University of Kansas and UCLA’s Graduate School of Management, Amin first found his entrance into the entertainment industry in the area of video distribution.

In 1981, Amin co-founded a Los Angeles video specialty store called 20/20 Video. 20/20 Video would go on to become one of the largest video specialty chains in Los Angeles and would inspire Amin to form his own distribution company, Vidmark Entertainment. Vidmark focused primarily on video releases and would soon assert itself as a pioneer in the burgeoning market of home video entertainment of the 1980s.

In 1987, Amin acted on his desire to concentrate more on film production and co-founded the production company, Trimark Holdings. Serving as Chairman and CEO of Trimark, Amin lead the company through the production of a number of acclaimed releases, including Eve’s Bayou, starring Samuel Jackson, Return of the Living Dead III, and Leprechaun, starring a young Jennifer Aniston.

In 2000, Trimark combined with another successful production company, Lions Gate Entertainment, in a merger that made Amin the single largest shareholder of Lionsgate, as well as its Vice Chairman. During Amin’s nine-year tenure at Lionsgate, Lionsgate was responsible for releasing memorable films like Monster’s Ball, which earned Halle Barry a Best Actress Academy Award, and Crash, which earned the Best Picture Academy Award. In 2002, Amin also executive produced Frida, which won two Academy Awards.

In 2001, with the desire of producing specialized and mainstream films, Amin founded a new production company called Sobini Films. Sobini Films continues to serve as the focus of Amin’s film efforts and since its founding has released The Prince and Me, Peaceful Warrior, and the Sundance Award winner, Streets of Legend, among other features.

Besides his film efforts, Amin is also active in other business and investment pursuits. Amin is an investor and member of the advisory board of EdgeCast, a content delivery firm which sold to Verizon in 2013 for $400 million.

Amin is chairman and major shareholder of gymra.com, the popular fitness website and is also active in the development of almond and pistachio orchards in central California.