Brilliant Pictures encompasses worldwide sales, marketing, production, finance and distribution for film and TV. With offices in London and Rome, Brilliant specialises in high end, commercially orientated, talent driven content that appeals to audience appetites globally.
Combining 50 years in sales and media content management, Brilliant is the joint-venture of film industry mogul Sean O’Kelly and veteran sales agent Marc Bikindou. Brilliant brings together some of the world’s leading visionary filmmakers, ensuring content is packaged with the most in-demand talent whilst keeping within budgets – de-risking projects for distributors and SVOD providers and returning profitable sales revenues.
Brilliant represents a library of over 100 completed feature films and TV series and an evolving slate, made by the world’s most iconic filmmaking talent.
Brilliant’s executive services include facilitating talent packaging, executive production, pre-sales, tax-credit facilities, equity, mezzanine and gap financing arrangements.
Designed to capitalise on the new COVID era, Brilliant comprises a unique new business model that harnesses the now insatiable demand for high-quality content via online streaming giants, as well as traditional distribution channels.
Since the pandemic, content consumption has fundamentally shifted with audiences turning to Netflix and other SVOD platforms like Amazon Prime and Disney+. Original content is paramount to maintaining competitive advantage for SVOD platforms, with Netflix investing 85% of its $13 billion budget on sourcing original content during 2018 and a predicted $18 billion spend for 2020/21. $1 billion will be spent in the UK alone, as Netflix’ most important production hub. Movie theatres have been forced to slash holdbacks and embrace a new limited theatrical release model that aligns with SVOD.
The, still rapidly evolving, landscape requires an agile, quick-thinking and collaborative approach. Brilliant is uniquely positioned to act as a conduit – a rights store – between content creators, rights owners, talent and SVOD platforms, enabling the seamless delivery of exclusive and original content to audiences worldwide. Brilliant sees the future of film and will be positioned at its epicenter by taking advantage and adapting ahead of its competition.
Chairman
With over 20 years of expertise in film and TV finance, production, and distribution, Sean O’Kelly has established himself as a leader in driving growth within independent media ventures. Having executive produced or produced over 35 films, Sean’s impressive track record reflects his ability to deliver commercially successful and critically acclaimed projects.
His notable credits include the award-winning cult phenomenon Iron Sky, which he executive produced and sold worldwide, as well as the Oscar-nominated Margin Call, which he acquired and released in the UK.
As a specialist in film finance and distribution, Sean has acquired, sold, and distributed hundreds of films globally, including acclaimed titles such as Martin Scorsese’s Casino, Steve Jobs, Garfield, The Reef, The Mission, Death Race 2000, Killing Fields, Jane Eyre, and Anna Karenina.
Currently serving as Chairman of Brilliant Pictures, Sean leads the international film and TV company across worldwide sales, marketing, production, finance, and distribution. Previously, as CEO of Carnaby International Plc, he oversaw major projects such as the Rise of the Footsoldier franchise, the BAFTA-winning Wee Man, and Simon West’s Gun Shy, starring Antonio Banderas and Olga Kurylenko.
Through his relationship with fellow producer Ash Shah, with whom he collaborated on the Garfield movies, Sean became involved in Trejo’s Tacos — the popular restaurant chain founded by Shah. Alongside his partner Jerome Armit, Sean co-founded Trejo’s Tacos UK three years ago and is now spearheading its expansion across the EU and international markets.
Earlier in his career, Sean managed worldwide distribution rights for the extensive Kushner Locke Library, comprising over 400 film and TV titles. He also founded and ran Go For It Entertainment Ltd, a successful distribution company that handled major film libraries, including Mel Gibson’s ICON, Castle Hill, and Goldcrest.
Sean’s deep industry knowledge, strategic vision, and strong network have cemented his reputation as a dynamic force in both the global entertainment and hospitality landscapes.
CEO
Marc Bikindou, born in France, began his career in 1987 with commercials. Bikindou went on to become an assistant director, working with names like Gerry Fisher, Academy Award winner Régis Wargnier, Pascal Thomas, as well as with Ridley and Tony Scott. He collaborated on over 35 projects. With over 30 years of experience in film & TV sales and distribution, Bikindou has worked alongside some of the world’s greatest talent.
In 2001, Marc became a sales agent for the worldwide distribution department of Nu Image/ Millennium Films. At Nu Image, Marc worked with the company’s founders, Avi Lerner and Danny Dimbort. He specializes in the Western European market, and was involved with the sales of The Black Dahlia (2006), directed by Brian De Palma, starring Scarlett Johansson, Rambo (2008), directed by and starring Sylvester Stallone, and 16 Blocks (2006), directed by Richard Donner, starring Bruce Willis- star-studded action film The Expendables (2010), directed by Sylvester Stallone. Again through Millennium Films, he handled sales for the sequel, The Expendables 2 (2012), directed by Simon West and thriller The Paperboy (2012), directed by Lee Daniels, starring Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, and John Cusack.
Chief Financial Officer
Deepak was Financial Controller and then Finance Director for TV & Production at FTSE 250 media group HIT Entertainment PLC where he worked on a number of productions and acquisitions including Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, Barney & Friends and Guinness World Records before the business was sold to APAX Partners for £489m.
He subsequently became CFO and General Manager at Molinare where he oversaw the company’s investment in film and television projects for over 30 titles; notable successes including: Moon and The King’s Speech of which Deepak is a Co-Executive Producer.
Ian Duff – Expert IT & Technical delivery
Hayley Hamburg – Head of PR and Marketing
