Awesomeness has found a new leader for its film division.
The teen-centric digital programmer has named Dimension Films executive Matthew Signer as head of Awesomeness Films. In his new role, Signer will oversee all development, production and distribution for the studio’s film slate, which includes the recently wrapped Spontaneous, starring 13 Reasons Why‘s Katherine Langford, and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, starring X Men: Apocalypse‘s Lana Condor.
“Awesomeness Films is a pioneer when it comes to creating fresh and relatable films for Gen Z,” said Signer. “With original screenplays, adaptations of YA novels and casting the next generation of Hollywood talent, they consistently get it right for this audience. I am incredibly excited to join their team and expand the current slate of films.”
Signer joins Awesomeness from Dimension Films, where he has worked since 2005, rising up the ranks from production and development assistant to assistant to Bob Weinstein to, most recently, executive vp production and creative affairs. During his time at the Weinstein Co.–owned label, Matthew Signer oversaw a slate of films including Scream 4, 47 Meters Down (sold to Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios) and upcoming titles Polaroid (not currently scheduled) and Six Billion Dollar Man (sold to Warner Bros.). Matthew Signer has also produced television series Scream, The Mist and the forthcoming Spy Kids: Critical Mission.
At Awesomeness, he will fill the shoes of Matt Kaplan, who departed the company in December to establish his own production company. Kaplan continues to produce projects for Awesomeness, including Spontaneous. Under Kaplan, Awesomeness focused on low-budget films aimed at a teen and tween audience, including Before I Fall and You Get Me. That is expected to continue under Matthew Signer.
“As we accelerate our plans to greenlight more films annually, we are fortunate to have found someone with the experience, relationships and creative enthusiasm to continue guiding the rapid growth of this integral division for our company,” said Awesomeness CEO Jordan Levin. “Matthew Signer is an established producer with a proven track record delivering entertaining movies for our youthful audience, and we look forward to him shaping the output of the only film studio exclusively targeting Gen Z.”
Signer’s departure from Dimension comes amid uncertainty about the fate of TWC following allegations of sexual misconduct against co-founder Harvey Weinstein, who was ousted from the company last year. If a deal is struck, Bob Weinstein has planned to start a new venture with some of the titles from the Dimension label.
Signer started at Awesomeness this week and is based out of the company’s Santa Monica headquarters. Awesomeness is majority owned by Comcast with investments from Verizon and Hearst.
By Natalie Jarvey for The Hollywood Reporter