Bill Block
Bill Block is an American film producer, financier, and media executive best known for founding the independent production company QED International and serving as CEO of Miramax from 2017 to 2023.[1][2] Over his career, he has overseen the development, financing, and distribution of numerous commercially successful films across genres, including science fiction, action, and horror. In October 2025, Block launched GammaTime, a mobile streaming platform dedicated to premium micro-dramas, backed by a $14 million seed funding round from investors including Alexis Ohanian and Kris Jenner.[3] Block's early career in Hollywood began as a talent agent at International Creative Management (ICM), where he rose to head the agency's West Coast operations, representing high-profile clients and packaging major film deals.[1] He transitioned into production as president of Artisan Entertainment in the late 1990s, supervising all divisions and executive producing or acquiring acclaimed titles such as The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Requiem for a Dream (2000), which helped establish Artisan as a key player in independent cinema.[1][4] In 2002, Block founded QED International, a production, finance, and sales company that became a powerhouse in mid-budget independent films, often bridging studio-level quality with commercial appeal.[1] Under his leadership as CEO until 2014, QED financed and produced standout projects including District 9 (2009), a critically acclaimed science-fiction thriller that grossed over $210 million worldwide; W. (2008), Oliver Stone's biographical drama about George W. Bush; Fury (2014), a World War II action film starring Brad Pitt; and the comedy hit Dirty Grandpa (2016).[1] After leaving QED following an investment by Media Content Capital, Block partnered with Merced Capital to launch a $500 million film financing slate in 2014.[1] As CEO of Miramax, Block focused on rebooting the studio's production pipeline by leveraging its vast library of over 800 titles while expanding into new films, television, and digital content.[1] His tenure saw the greenlighting of key releases such as the blockbuster Halloween revival trilogy (2018, 2021, 2022), which collectively grossed over $500 million globally and reinvigorated the franchise; I, Tonya (2017), an Oscar-nominated biopic; and Guy Ritchie's action-comedy The Gentlemen (2019).[2] Block also relaunched Miramax Television, hiring executive Marc Helwig to develop series based on the studio's IP, though his contract expired without renewal in October 2023 amid a strategic shift toward IP-focused content.[2]Early life and education
Early years
William Hunt Block was born on April 2, 1954, in New York City, United States.[5] He grew up in New York City.[5]Education
Bill Block attended Columbia University in the City of New York.Career
Early career
Bill Block began his career in the film industry as a literary agent at International Creative Management (ICM) in 1982, where he represented writers, directors, and actors, including Steven Seagal and Sam Raimi, quickly establishing himself as a tenacious and ambitious talent in Hollywood.[6][7] His education at Columbia University provided a strong foundation in business acumen that informed his strategic approach to negotiations and client development during this period.[8] In 1988, Block co-founded the InterTalent Agency with partners Judy Hofflund and David Greenblatt, aiming to build a boutique firm focused on literary representation and packaging deals for film and television projects.[9] The agency grew to represent high-profile clients like Kim Basinger and Samuel L. Jackson but faced intense competition in the consolidating talent agency market, leading Block to disband it in 1992 and return to ICM with 12 colleagues. At ICM, he served as head of the West Coast motion picture literary department from 1992 to 1997, overseeing operations amid challenges such as agency rivalries and the need to attract top talent in a volatile independent sector dominated by larger firms.[10] In 1997, Block transitioned from agency work to executive leadership by joining LIVE Entertainment as co-president alongside Amir Malin, following the company's acquisition by Bain Capital in a $120 million leveraged buyout that renamed it Artisan Entertainment in 1998.[11] Under their guidance, Artisan expanded into a major independent distributor, acquiring libraries such as Vestron, Inc., and Republic Entertainment to build a catalog exceeding 6,600 titles, with a focus on home video, theatrical releases, and international sales to capitalize on the growing demand for niche content.[11] The company navigated the independent film market's challenges, including financial volatility and competition from studio-backed indies, by prioritizing low-budget genre films and strategic partnerships, such as with Showtime for pay-TV rights, which helped stabilize revenue amid the 1990s boom in Sundance discoveries.[11] A pivotal success was the 1999 acquisition and distribution of The Blair Witch Project, which grossed over $248 million worldwide on a $60,000 budget, demonstrating Block's strategy of betting on innovative, high-upside independent projects to drive growth.[12] Block's tenure at Artisan emphasized aggressive library building and global distribution deals, positioning the company as a key player in the 1980s-2000s indie landscape despite periodic debt pressures and market saturation.[13] He resigned as president in 2001 to pursue other opportunities, but his foundational work contributed to the company's eventual sale to Lionsgate Entertainment in December 2003 for approximately $220 million, including $160 million in cash and assumption of $60 million in debt, marking a significant exit for the revitalized entity.[14] This transaction underscored the value of Block's early strategies in scaling distribution and acquisitions during an era when independents struggled against major studios' dominance.[15]QED International
Bill Block co-founded QED International in 2002 with Paul Hanson, serving as the company's CEO.[1] The firm initially focused on international sales and financing before expanding into full production capabilities.[16] QED International's business model centered on packaging, financing, and handling international sales for independent films, leveraging Block's prior executive experience at Artisan Entertainment to inform its distribution strategies.[13] Under Block's leadership, the company financed and produced a slate of high-profile projects, including Neill Blomkamp's science fiction films District 9 (2009) and Elysium (2013), as well as David Ayer's World War II action thriller Fury (2014).[17] QED achieved notable success through strategic partnerships with major studios, such as securing a distribution deal with Sony Pictures for Fury and releasing Elysium under Sony's TriStar Pictures banner.[18] These arrangements highlighted the company's ability to bridge independent production with wide theatrical releases. In the mid-2010s, QED expanded into genre-driven content, exemplified by Fury's focus on action and historical drama, which broadened its portfolio beyond initial arthouse leanings.[19]Miramax
In April 2017, Bill Block was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Miramax by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of beIN Media Group, the company's owner at the time.[20][1] Block, who brought producing expertise from his prior role at QED International, was tasked with revitalizing the studio, which was primarily a library-based entity with over 700 films including classics like Pulp Fiction and The English Patient.[21][20] Under Block's leadership, Miramax pursued a strategic reboot focused on exploiting its extensive library for new content while developing an original production slate aimed at commercial independent films. This included leveraging intellectual properties for reboots and co-productions, alongside reducing operational overhead—such as a 30% staff cut—to address the company's $150 million debt upon his arrival.[2][22] The approach emphasized high-concept action and horror genres to drive revenue through theatrical releases, streaming deals, and international sales, positioning Miramax as a forward-thinking independent player.[23][20] Key projects greenlit or released during Block's tenure highlighted this revival, notably the co-production of the Halloween trilogy (Halloween in 2018, Halloween Kills in 2021, and Halloween Ends in 2022) in partnership with Blumhouse Productions and Trancas International Films, which grossed over $500 million worldwide and reinvigorated the franchise.[24] Other commercial successes included Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen (2019) and Wrath of Man (2021), blending library-inspired elements with original genre fare to achieve box office and streaming viability.[24][23] These efforts marked a shift toward action-oriented independents, with Block overseeing development of over a dozen features annually.[23] Block departed Miramax in October 2023 when his contract expired without renewal, amid a strategic shift by beIN Media Group toward greater emphasis on pre-existing intellectual properties and new creative directions.[25][24] His six-year leadership contributed significantly to the studio's resurgence, transforming it from a debt-laden library holder into a active producer of profitable genre films and securing key partnerships that enhanced Miramax's market position.[2][12]Post-Miramax activities
Following his departure from Miramax in October 2023, Bill Block shifted focus to independent investing, producing, and financing opportunities across film, television, and e-commerce sectors.[25][8] This transition allowed him to pursue entrepreneurial ventures outside traditional studio structures, leveraging his extensive experience in content development and distribution.[2] In October 2025, Block co-founded and launched GammaTime, a premium streaming platform dedicated to micro-dramas—short-form, vertically formatted episodic content designed for mobile viewing.[3] The company, headquartered in Los Angeles, emphasizes high-quality, original narratives in bite-sized episodes, typically 1-3 minutes each, targeting the growing demand for on-the-go entertainment.[26] Inspired by the explosive growth of micro-dramas in China, where the format generated over $7 billion in revenue in 2024 surpassing traditional box office earnings, GammaTime positions itself as the first U.S.-based OTT service offering ad-free, subscription-based access to such content.[3] Block serves as CEO, alongside co-founders Slava Mudrykh as Chief Revenue Officer (formerly of Google Gaming) and Alex Montalvo as Chief Content Officer (formerly of Quibi).[27] GammaTime secured $14 million in seed funding at launch, led by vgames and Pitango, with participation from investors including Alexis Ohanian's Seven Seven Six, Kris Jenner, and Kim Kardashian.[26][28][29] The platform aims to produce and distribute original series across genres like romance, thriller, and drama, with initial content rollouts planned for late 2025.[30] As of November 2025, Block continues to oversee GammaTime's expansion while maintaining selective producer credits in independent film projects.[31]Personal life
Family
Bill Block married Russian-American supermodel, actress, and comedian Eugenia Kuzmina on March 30, 2010.[32] The couple met in 2008 when Kuzmina was 21 years old; she was introduced to Block by Katie Ford, the former CEO of Ford Models, and he pursued her during her modeling assignments, including shoots in Hawaii.[32][33] Block and Kuzmina have two children together: a son named Theodore, born around 2008, and a daughter named Veronika, born around 2012, though sources vary on whether Block has additional children from previous relationships.[32][34] The family resided in a Hollywood Hills mansion in Los Angeles, where Kuzmina balanced her career in entertainment with raising the children alongside Block during his tenure as Miramax CEO.[32][33]Divorce and separation
In November 2022, Bill Block filed for legal separation from his wife, Eugenia Kuzmina, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences after a marriage that began on March 30, 2010, with a separation date of November 1, 2022.[32] In the filing, Block requested joint legal and physical custody of their two children and agreed to provide spousal support in accordance with their prenuptial agreement, though specific amounts were not disclosed in court documents.[32] This followed a prior divorce petition Block had filed in July 2019, which was dismissed in May 2020, and a March 2023 petition to dismiss the separation case.[32] The separation gained public attention in August 2023 when Kuzmina announced the split on social media, posting from the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles where she had moved temporarily.[32] She expressed feelings of isolation, stating she had "no home" and was "all alone," and was photographed without her wedding ring while appearing with the children but not Block.[32] The announcement, covered extensively by outlets like the Daily Mail, highlighted the personal strain of the split amid Block's high-profile role at Miramax, which he left shortly thereafter in October 2023.[32] Despite the publicized separation, Block and Kuzmina reconciled by early 2024, as evidenced by their joint appearances at major events, including the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024, and the AFI Fest premiere of "Here" on October 25, 2024.[35][36] No final divorce was pursued, and as of November 2025, they continue to reside together in Los Angeles, maintaining their family unit without reported further legal actions.[37]Filmography
Film
Bill Block served as a producer or executive producer on numerous feature films, primarily through his work at QED International, Miramax, and independent projects. His credits span commercial action, drama, and horror genres, with several achieving significant box office success and critical acclaim.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Vanilla Sky | Executive Producer | Remake of the Spanish film Abre los ojos, starring Tom Cruise; grossed $203 million worldwide. |
| 2007 | First Born | Executive Producer | Thriller directed by Isaac Webb. |
| 2007 | The Hunting Party | Executive Producer | Action comedy starring Richard Gere and Terrence Howard. |
| 2008 | The Lucky Ones | Executive Producer | Road-trip drama with Rachel McAdams and Tim Robbins. |
| 2008 | Smart People | Producer | Comedy-drama featuring Sarah Jessica Parker and Dennis Quaid. |
| 2008 | W. | Producer | Oliver Stone's biographical drama about George W. Bush, starring Josh Brolin. |
| 2009 | District 9 | Producer | Sci-fi thriller directed by Neill Blomkamp; received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. |
| 2011 | Texas Killing Fields | Executive Producer | Crime thriller directed by Ami Canaan Mann. |
| 2012 | Alex Cross | Producer | Action thriller based on James Patterson's novels, starring Tyler Perry. |
| 2013 | Elysium | Producer | Sci-fi action film directed by Neill Blomkamp, starring Matt Damon; grossed $286 million worldwide. |
| 2013 | Fading Gigolo | Producer | Comedy directed by and starring John Turturro. |
| 2014 | Fury | Producer | World War II drama directed by David Ayer, starring Brad Pitt; grossed $211 million worldwide. |
| 2014 | Sabotage | Producer | Action thriller starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. |
| 2015 | Rock the Kasbah | Producer | Comedy starring Bruce Willis and Bill Murray. |
| 2016 | Bad Moms | Producer | Comedy directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore; grossed $183.9 million worldwide. |
| 2016 | Dirty Grandpa | Producer | Comedy starring Robert De Niro and Zac Efron; grossed $93.1 million worldwide. |
| 2017 | A Bad Moms Christmas | Executive Producer | Sequel to Bad Moms; grossed $128 million worldwide. |
| 2018 | Halloween | Producer | Reboot of the horror franchise directed by David Gordon Green; grossed $255.5 million worldwide, the highest-grossing slasher film at the time. |
| 2020 | The Gentlemen | Producer | Crime film written and directed by Guy Ritchie, starring Matthew McConaughey. |
| 2021 | Halloween Kills | Producer | Sequel in the Halloween franchise; grossed $131.6 million worldwide. |
| 2022 | Halloween Ends | Producer | Final film in David Gordon Green's trilogy; grossed $104 million worldwide. |
| 2023 | Sick | Producer | Horror thriller directed by Parker Finn, released on Peacock. |
| 2023 | The Holdovers | Producer | Comedy-drama directed by Alexander Payne; won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Da'Vine Joy Randolph). |
| 2024 | The Beekeeper | Producer | Action thriller starring Jason Statham; grossed $151.6 million worldwide. |