Mark Amin
Mohammed Mark Amin is an Iranian-American motion picture producer, writer, director, and executive who founded the independent film companies Trimark Holdings and Sobini Films, with credits including the Academy Award-winning biopic Frida and the critically acclaimed drama Eve's Bayou.[1][2] Amin earned a BA in economics from the University of Kansas and an MBA from UCLA before entering the entertainment industry, where he built Trimark into a leading distributor of independent films during the 1990s and served as vice chairman of Lionsgate Entertainment from 2000 to 2009.[1] Through Sobini Films, established after Trimark's sale, he has produced a diverse slate including The Prince & Me, Peaceful Warrior, J.T. LeRoy, and his directorial debut Emperor, alongside managing agricultural ventures such as pistachio and almond orchards in California.[1][3] In 2012, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Amin with insider trading for allegedly tipping confidential information about data center expansions at DuPont Fabros Technology—where he had served on the board—to relatives and associates, who profited from trades ahead of public announcements; Amin settled the civil charges by disgorging profits and paying penalties without admitting or denying wrongdoing.[2][4]Background
Early Life
Mark Amin was born on February 19, 1950, in Rafsanjan, Iran.[5] He grew up in a family engaged in the pistachio trading business, a sector prominent in the region known for its nut production.[6] At the age of 17, in 1967, Amin immigrated to the United States to complete his senior year of high school.[7]Education
Mark Amin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Kansas in 1972.[8] [1] [9] He subsequently pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, obtaining a Master of Business Administration with a focus in marketing from the UCLA Graduate School of Management in 1975.[8] [9] [1]Film Industry Career
Initial Ventures in Distribution
Mark Amin entered the film industry through home video distribution in the early 1980s, capitalizing on the emerging market for VHS rentals. In 1981, he co-founded 20/20 Video, a specialty video store chain in Los Angeles, which provided hands-on experience in consumer demand for independent and low-budget titles.[9] This venture exposed Amin to the logistics of video acquisition and retail, highlighting opportunities in direct-to-video releases amid the nascent home entertainment sector.[10] Building on insights from 20/20 Video, Amin established Vidmark Entertainment in 1985 as an independent distributor specializing in video releases of low-budget films.[8] Co-founded with engineer Johan Wassennaar, Vidmark positioned itself as an aggressive supplier, targeting genre and exploitation content that major studios overlooked, such as horror and action titles suited for the rental market.[11] The company pioneered efficient distribution strategies in the pre-digital video era, securing rights to films like early slashers and B-movies, which generated steady revenue through volume sales to video chains.[10] Vidmark's model emphasized cost-effective acquisitions and rapid market entry, often bypassing theatrical runs to exploit the growing VCR penetration in U.S. households, which reached approximately 20% by 1985. Under Amin's leadership, it distributed dozens of titles annually, establishing a reputation for filling gaps left by Hollywood majors in the independent video space.[8] This phase laid the groundwork for Amin's expansion into production, as Vidmark's success demonstrated viable profitability in underserved niches without reliance on big-budget marketing.[9]Founding and Leadership of Trimark Pictures
Mark Amin founded Vidmark Entertainment in 1984, initially focusing on video distribution, before leveraging the success of the 1988 film Demonwarp to conduct a public offering that restructured the company as Trimark Holdings Inc. in 1985, with Trimark Pictures established as its core film production and theatrical division.[8][12] Amin served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trimark Pictures from 1985 to 2000, guiding its expansion from a modest independent video distributor into a diversified publicly traded entity involved in film production, television, and interactive media.[13][1] During Amin's tenure, Trimark specialized in low-budget genre films, particularly horror and thriller titles, releasing projects such as Warlock (1989), The Dentist (1996), and the Leprechaun franchise starting in 1993, which generated sequels and established the company's niche in direct-to-video and limited theatrical releases.[8][14] The studio also produced critically regarded independent fare, including Eve's Bayou (1997), which earned acclaim for its storytelling and performances led by Samuel L. Jackson.[3][9] Under Amin's leadership, Trimark achieved steady growth in the competitive independent sector, prioritizing cost-effective production models and targeted distribution strategies to maximize returns on genre content.[1] In 2000, Trimark Holdings merged with Lions Gate Entertainment, a transaction that integrated Trimark's library and operations into the larger firm, leaving Amin as its single largest shareholder and vice chairman.[8] This merger marked the culmination of Amin's stewardship, during which Trimark transitioned from nascent video ventures to a recognized independent powerhouse without reliance on major studio backing.[12]Transition to Lionsgate and Independent Production
In October 2000, Lions Gate Entertainment acquired Trimark Holdings for $50 million, establishing Trimark as a wholly owned subsidiary and integrating its operations into the larger entity.[15] Mark Amin, who had served as Trimark's chairman and CEO since 1984, joined Lionsgate's board of directors as part of the post-merger expansion.[16] The transaction elevated Amin to Lionsgate's largest individual shareholder and vice chairman, positions he maintained until 2009, during which the company grew its slate of productions.[12][9] Under Amin's vice chairmanship, Lionsgate released films such as Monster's Ball (2001), which secured Halle Berry the Academy Award for Best Actress, alongside other titles like Antwone Fisher (2002) and Crash (2004).[9] In 2001, concurrent with his Lionsgate role, Amin established Sobini Films as an independent production company to focus on both specialized and mainstream theatrical motion pictures, marking his shift toward parallel ventures outside Trimark's former structure.[9][3] This dual involvement enabled Amin to leverage Lionsgate's resources for broader distribution while retaining autonomy in selecting and financing projects through Sobini, including early releases like The Jacket (2005).[9]Establishment and Operations of Sobini Films
Mark Amin established Sobini Films in 2001 following the sale of Trimark Pictures to Lionsgate, aiming to independently finance and produce mid-budget motion pictures.[17] The company operates as a private production and financing entity, focusing on both specialized films and mainstream commercial theatrical releases.[3] As founder and CEO, Amin oversees operations centered on developing and funding projects that span genres, including dramas, thrillers, and family-oriented stories.[18] Sobini Films has financed and produced a range of titles, such as The Prince and Me (2004), a romantic comedy, and Peaceful Warrior (2006), an inspirational drama based on Dan Millman's book. Subsequent projects include Stonehearst Asylum (2014), a psychological thriller adapted from Edgar Allan Poe, and Good Kill (2014), directed by Andrew Niccol and starring Ethan Hawke, which examines drone warfare ethics.[19] More recent efforts encompass J.T. LeRoy (2018), featuring Kristen Stewart, and Bleeding Love (2024), a father-daughter road trip narrative with Ewan McGregor.[18] These productions highlight the company's strategy of supporting director-driven stories with commercial potential, often distributed through major studios or independent channels.[20] The firm's operations emphasize selective project development, leveraging Amin's industry experience for partnerships in financing and distribution, while maintaining a lean structure to target budgets suitable for wide appeal without blockbuster-scale risks.[1] Sobini Films continues to prioritize quality storytelling, as evidenced by its involvement in upcoming titles like Emperor, where Amin served as writer, director, and producer.[13]Other Business Activities
Investments and Board Positions
Mark Amin has pursued investments in technology companies focused on digital media and content delivery. He served as a non-executive director on the board of JumpTV, an online television platform, from September 2005 to September 2008.[9] Amin was also an investor and member of the advisory board at EdgeCast, a content delivery network provider, which Verizon acquired in 2013 for $400 million.[21] Additionally, he participated as an angel investor in adRise, the parent company of the ad-supported streaming service Tubi TV, including its $6 million Series B funding round completed on November 20, 2015, backed by investors such as Lionsgate, MGM, Cota Capital, and Foundation Capital.[22][23] Outside of technology, Amin maintains involvement in agriculture, leveraging his family's multi-generational background in pistachio farming originating from Iran. He has been active in the U.S. nut industry for over 40 years and focuses on acquiring, developing, and operating permanent crop properties, particularly pistachio and almond orchards in central California.[12] Through entities like AminAg, Amin partners with high-net-worth individuals to provide investment opportunities in agricultural assets, emphasizing land acquisition and business development strategies.[12][1]DuPont Fabros Technology Insider Trading Allegations
In May 2012, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil complaint alleging that Mohammed Mark Amin, then a director of DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. (DFT), a real estate investment trust specializing in data centers, violated federal securities laws by tipping material nonpublic information (MNPI) to relatives and associates, enabling them to trade DFT stock for illicit profits.[24] The SEC claimed Amin obtained the MNPI during his board role, including details of $180 million in loans for facility development and significant new leases discussed at a December 22, 2008, board meeting, a January 7, 2009, call with DFT's CEO, and February 4-5, 2009, communications.[24][25] This information was not public until DFT's February 11, 2009, earnings announcement, which revealed stronger-than-expected results and triggered a 36% stock price surge to $5.40 per share.[24] The complaint detailed that Amin tipped his cousin Michael Mahmood Amin and business manager Sam Saeed Pirnazar on January 7, 2009, prompting Michael to purchase 145,000 DFT shares (e.g., 100,000 shares on January 8 for $326,384) and Pirnazar to buy 10,500 shares (e.g., 3,500 on January 13 for $10,638) between January 8 and February 10, 2009, yielding profits of $318,646 and $19,915, respectively.[24] On February 5, 2009—shortly after receiving updated MNPI—Amin tipped his brother Robert Reza Amin via a 9:04 a.m. phone call; Reza then bought 214,600 shares (e.g., 26,300 on February 5 for $94,630) and tipped friend Mary Teresa Coley (who bought 20,050 shares, e.g., 3,000 at 9:38 a.m. on February 10 for $12,902, profiting $23,690) and associate Ali Tashakori (who purchased 15,000 shares, e.g., 10,000 on February 9 for $44,903, profiting $14,479).[24] Reza realized $241,767 in gains from trades between February 5 and 10, 2009.[24] The SEC alleged these actions breached Amin's fiduciary duties to DFT shareholders and constituted tipping in exchange for personal benefits, such as maintaining family and business ties.[24][26] The six defendants—Amin, Robert Reza Amin, Michael Mahmood Amin, Pirnazar, Coley, and Tashakori—settled the SEC's claims on the same day the complaint was filed (May 8, 2012), without admitting or denying the allegations, by disgorging $618,000 in trading profits, $78,000 in prejudgment interest, and $1.2 million in civil penalties, for a total of approximately $1.9 million.[26][27] Amin personally contributed $372,000 to the settlement and agreed to be barred from serving as an officer or director of any public company.[26] No criminal charges were brought, and the settlement resolved the civil matter without a judicial finding of liability.[25] Amin had resigned from DFT's board in February 2011, prior to the SEC's action.[28]Personal Life and Philanthropy
Family Background
Mark Amin was born in 1950 in Rafsanjan, Iran, a city renowned for its pistachio production, into a family of merchants who operated the largest pistachio trading business in the country, a trade spanning generations.[7] His parents maintained liberal perspectives on politics and religion, instructing their children that personal character outweighed religious or denominational identity, as Amin recalled: "My parents told us that it doesn’t matter what religion you are... what matters is what kind of a human being you are."[7] From an early age, Amin was groomed to inherit and manage the family enterprise, reflecting the mercantile traditions of his lineage.[7] Despite excelling in literature and writing during his schooling, familial expectations directed him toward practical business pursuits rather than the arts.[7] The family's pistachio operations were nationalized amid the 1979 Iranian Revolution, disrupting their longstanding commercial dominance.[7] Amin himself departed Iran at age 17, around 1967, to pursue education in the United States, initially attending high school before higher studies, thereby diverging from the anticipated path within the family trade.[7][29]Charitable Contributions and Cultural Advocacy
Amin co-founded the Bijan and Soraya Amin Foundation with his brother Reza in 2000, a private nonprofit organization designated under Section 501(c)(3) for religious, educational, charitable, scientific, and literary purposes.[30][31] The foundation, with Amin listed as trustee and manager, has provided grants supporting educational and medical initiatives, including $125,000 to University Contributions in 2023 for social education and medical science research, and $50,000 to the UCLA Foundation for similar purposes.[32] In 1997, prior to the foundation's establishment, Amin personally endowed the Mark Amin Scholarship at the University of Kansas, awarded annually to undergraduate and graduate students in film and media studies based on academic merit.[33] Through his production company Sobini Films, Amin directed charitable efforts tied to specific projects, such as pledging $1 per digital transaction from the 2020 release of the film Emperor—a biopic about abolitionist Shields Green—to the NAACP during the first month of availability, aiming to support civil rights initiatives.[34][35] In cultural advocacy, Amin serves as Trustee and Vice Chair of the Farhang Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing the study, research, and appreciation of Iranian art, culture, and heritage.[1] He contributed $250,000 to the foundation's Iranian Studies Initiative, supporting academic programs on Iranian history and society.[36] Amin has also chaired juries for the Farhang Foundation's annual short film festival, which showcases works exploring Iranian themes and diaspora experiences, fostering cultural preservation and dialogue.[37]Recognition
Awards and Honors
In 1999, Amin received the Alumni Honor Citation from the University of Kansas Department of Theatre and Dance, recognizing his contributions to the field as a distinguished alumnus.[38] On December 25, 2010, he was awarded the Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award by the University of Kansas College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, honoring his professional accomplishments in the film industry following his graduation in 1972.[39]Industry Impact
Mark Amin founded Vidmark Entertainment in 1985 with an initial investment of $270,000, establishing it as an aggressive independent supplier of home video releases during the early expansion of the consumer video market.[10] The company evolved into Trimark Holdings, Inc., under Amin's leadership as Chairman and CEO, developing into a publicly traded entity focused on independent film production, distribution, and acquisition, which distributed titles such as the Leprechaun horror series and contributed to the consolidation of the nascent home entertainment sector.[9] [40] In 2000, Trimark merged with Lionsgate Entertainment, positioning Amin as the largest individual shareholder and Vice Chairman of the board from 2000 to 2009.[41] During this period, Lionsgate's annual revenue grew from $184 million to $1.2 billion, reflecting expansion through strategic acquisitions, diversified content slates, and hits in genres like action, horror, and prestige drama.[10] [42] The studio distributed films including Monster's Ball (2001), which secured Halle Berry the Academy Award for Best Actress, alongside other titles like Antwone Fisher (2002) and Saw (2004), bolstering Lionsgate's reputation as a key player in independent and mid-budget filmmaking.[9] Amin established Sobini Films in 2001 as a private production and financing company, emphasizing independent features with international and culturally diverse narratives, such as Frida (2002), The Prince and Me (2004), Eve's Bayou (1997), and his directorial debut Emperor (2020).[43] Through Sobini, Amin has financed projects like JT LeRoy (2018) and partnered in 2020 with investors Motoko Kimura and Lifeng Wang to launch a development fund targeting global cinema, furthering access to financing for non-studio backed stories.[41] His career trajectory has influenced the indie sector by bridging home video origins with theatrical distribution models, enabling smaller producers to compete via mergers, revenue scaling, and targeted financing.[9]Filmography
Producing Credits
Mark Amin's producing credits encompass over a hundred films, many from his leadership at Trimark Pictures in the 1990s, where he focused on genre and independent fare, and later through Sobini Films, emphasizing diverse narratives in drama, horror, and biography.[9] Early highlights include Species (1995), a science fiction thriller that grossed over $113 million worldwide, and Eve's Bayou (1997), a critically acclaimed family drama starring Samuel L. Jackson.[5][44] With Sobini Films, established in 2001, Amin shifted toward mid-budget features like the Oscar-nominated Frida (2002), a biopic of the artist directed by Julie Taymor, and The Machinist (2004), starring Christian Bale.[45][5] Recent efforts include JT LeRoy (2019), a drama based on literary controversies, and Emperor (2020), a historical thriller marking Amin's directorial debut.[44][13] Selected producing credits are summarized below, drawn from verified production databases:[44][5]| Release Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Species | Producer |
| 1997 | Eve's Bayou | Executive Producer |
| 2002 | Frida | Producer |
| 2004 | The Machinist | Producer |
| 2013 | Girl Most Likely | Producer |
| 2014 | Filth | Producer |
| 2014 | Stonehearst Asylum | Producer |
| 2015 | Good Kill | Producer |
| 2016 | Miles Ahead | Executive Producer |
| 2018 | Mary Shelley | Executive Producer |
| 2019 | JT LeRoy | Producer |
| 2020 | Emperor | Producer |
| 2024 | Bleeding Love | Producer |