Steve Bunnell: Celebs Rumors

Steve Bunnell has scored an exec job coveted by many in exhibition, from what I’ve been told: He’s been hired as EVP Content Strategy at Marcus Theatres.

Britni Smith has been promoted to Executive Director of Variety the Children’s Charity of Southern California, from her current role as Director of Fundraising and Special Programs. She will take over for Elizabeth O’Neil who is stepping down after 14 years at the helm of the organization. O’Neil’s retirement is effective December 31, 2022.

Michaela Zee editor Britni Smith has been promoted to executive director of Variety the Children’s Charity of Southern California. She will replace Elizabeth O’Neil, the long-time executive director of the charity who will retire effective Dec. 31. “Variety of Southern California will continue to flourish under the leadership of our new Executive Director Britni Smith” said incoming board president Steve Bunnell. “Britni has been a key driver helping Variety through these recent difficult times and is poised to take us to new heights.” Since 2008, O’Neil has served as executive director, playing a critical role in helping the organization expand its fundraising, programming and grant giving, along with securing partnerships with county and city employee giving campaigns. She also raised and awarded nearly $20 million to assist those in need, and steered Variety the Children’s Charity of Southern California to the highest rating on Charity Navigator.

Iconic Events Releasing is kicking off Pride Month on June 2 with a nationwide rerelease of MGM’s Oscar-winning movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

Event cinema distributor Iconic Events Releasing will be bringing monthly marquee UFC Pay-Per-View fights this year to the big screen.

Iconic Events has reached a deal with UFC to continue presenting the MMA promotion’s pay-per-view events in theaters nationwide through the end of 2022. The partnership between Iconic and UFC began in January 2021 before most movie theaters even reopened with a pay-per-view event headlined by Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterWWE is set to air its annual “SummerSlam” pay-per-view in movie theaters nationwide for the first time.In partnership with Iconic Events Releasing, “SummerSlam” will be available in select theaters when it airs live on Aug. 21 at 8 p.m.

Haley Bosselman editorBo Burnham is giving you a reason to go outside.On July 22, the comedian’s latest Netflix special, “Inside,” will hit theaters nationwide for one night only. It first premiered on the streamer on May 30.“Come on out,” Burnham invited fans via Twitter.come on out.

New event cinema company Iconic Events — led by an impressive roster of exhibiton industry veterans — has named Steve Bunnell to serve as its CEO. The Los Angeles-based venture also said it has enlisted theatrical circuits representing over 1,000 locations to the expanding network of theaters playing its programming.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media ReporterIconic Events, a budding entertainment company that specializes in programming for live events, has hired industry veteran Steve Bunnell as chief executive officer.Iconic Events was created last year by Michael Lambert, a longtime movie theater owner who currently serves as executive chairman, as well as former Cinemark CEO Tim Warner. It was formed to assist the film exhibition community in offering more programming choices for their cinema chains.

Exhibition veteran and former Universal Theatrical distribution exec Steve Bunnell is headed to the newly launched event cinema company Iconic Events as CEO. The company was formed by former Village Roadshow Pictures Group co-owner and co-chairman Michael Lambert, former Cinemark CEO Tim Warner, Mark Rupp and Steven Menkin.