Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson Appointed as CEO of Sagafilm
Skybound Entertainment, known for global successes such as “The Walking Dead” and “Invincible,” has announced the appointment of Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson as the new Chief Executive Officer of its Icelandic production affiliate, Sagafilm. This strategic placement is part of Skybound’s ongoing efforts to expand their footprint across Europe, further enhancing its global storytelling capabilities.
Guðmundsson’s Experience and Vision
Guðmundsson brings to the role an extensive background in the media landscape of Iceland. His prior positions include 12 years as the programming director at RÚV Television and six years at Stöð 2. His experience extends to cultural journalism, having worked with Morgunblaðið.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new position, Guðmundsson remarked, “Sagafilm is Iceland’s most prolific production company, and I’ve worked with them for many years. Together we have produced several pieces of acclaimed content, from scripted series like ‘The Night Shift,’ ‘The Girls’ and ‘The Minister,’ to entertainment shows and documentaries such as ‘Out of Thin Air.’ I’ve witnessed Sagafilm’s evolution into a highly innovative international production company, and I’m thrilled to help drive its future growth with Skybound’s visionary approach.”
Skybound’s Strategic Moves in Europe
The acquisition of Sagafilm in 2023 marks a significant commitment by Skybound to invest in European media production. This appointment aligns with a series of strategic initiatives, including acquiring game publisher 5th Planet Games, launching Skybound Japan to engage with the anime and manga sectors, and investing in the French media company, Sceanario42, recognized for producing France’s top series, “Polar Park.”
Support from Leadership
Rick Jacobs, managing partner and head of Skybound Linear Content, expressed optimism about Guðmundsson’s leadership. “We’re excited to welcome Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson to the Skybound family as the new CEO of Sagafilm. His deep expertise and passion for storytelling align perfectly with our mission to create and deliver compelling content that resonates globally. As we continue to expand Skybound’s footprint across Europe and beyond, leaders like Skarphéðinn are instrumental in driving our vision forward. We look forward to this next chapter of growth and innovation, and we can’t wait to see the incredible projects that will come,” Jacobs stated.
Kjartan Thor Thordarson, managing director of Sagafilm Nordic, also shared his thoughts on Guðmundsson’s impact. “His decades of experience and creative vision will be invaluable as we continue developing Skybound and Sagafilm’s presence both domestically and internationally.”
Future Projects on the Horizon
As Guðmundsson prepares to officially take the reins in early summer, Sagafilm is gearing up for multiple upcoming projects. These include the Swedish thriller “VAKA,” the romantic comedy “Everybody Loves Horses,” the Finnish-Icelandic crime series “Hildur,” and the Icelandic comedy “Weekend Dads.”
With Guðmundsson at the helm, Sagafilm is poised to enhance its role within the Skybound network and the international media landscape.