Former Sony Japan executive Bill Ireton goes freelance

Veteran executive Bill Ireton is set to leave his current position at Sony Pictures International Productions Japan, where he oversaw local production. As of January 1, 2023, he will operate as an independent producer.

In this new role, Ireton will use his experience and industry connections to develop and produce content for multiple platforms, primarily based on Japan's IP for audiences around the world.

At Sony Pictures, Ireton spearheaded production on a list of feature films, including "Hell Dogs “, with Okada Junichi under the direction of Harada Masato; "I Am Makimoto", featuring Abe Sadao; and "Violence Action", currently streaming on Netflix.

"Making movies with Sony Pictures over the past four years has been a wonderful experience that has helped to propel this exciting new chapter in my career,” Ireton said in a prepared statement.

"I would like to thank Bill for his work over the past few years. Japanese filmmaking continues to be a high priority for the company. Bill's experience and connections have helped our continued efforts in local production in Japan, and we wish him well in his new endeavor, which I know is something something he's wanted to do for a while," said Sanford Panitch, president of Sony Pictures' Motion Pictures Group:

This isn't the first time Ireton has announced plans to become a Japan-based independent . He started Ireton Entertainment in 2014, starting with local distribution of Justin Kurzel's "Macbeth" after a crash in late 2014 from Warner Bros. Japan, where he spent much of his career.

Ireton joined Warner Japan in 1988 and was its chairman and representative since 2006. He started local production for Warner Bros. in Japan in 2007, with the release of 49 films over a seven-year period, including the "Rurouni Kenshin" trilogy; "Unforgiven", directed by Lee Sang-il and based on the Clint Eastwood film, and "The Straw Shield", directed by Miike Takashi. He was also fully involved in the production of the worldwide hit "Letters from Iwo Jima", with Watanabe Ken.

Sony Pictures International Productions, co-led by Shebnem Askin and Michael Rifkin, is the local language production subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Motion Picture Group, which releases more than 30 films per year in 12 territories around the world.

Comments