Galano unveils new sales company

Former New Line International president Camela Galano has launched Speranza13 Media, a new international sales and financing company.

The company’s slate, which is being unveiled this week at the European Film Market, includes a version of Romeo and Juliet adapted for the screen by Downton Abbey screenwriter Julian Fellowes and director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallago’s horror film Open Grave.

Galano, who most recently was president of international acquisitions for Warner Bros, will act as president of the new venture. “The role of the international sales agent has grown significantly in the last few years due to the economic climate,” she said. “There’s a real need for valuable sales experience - we’re expecting a very strong start in Berlin and have high hopes for the titles.”

Galano was president of New Line International Releasing from 2001 to 2009, during which time she oversaw and managed the sales and release of films including the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Written by Eddie and Chris Borey, Open Grave is the tale of six desperate individuals who wake up with amnesia-like symptoms in a remote, desolate forest next to an open grave of rotting bodies. It is the second feature from Atlas Independent, the division of Charles Roven’s Atlas Entertainment that produces independent films. Atlas Independent’s William Green and Aaron Ginsburg will produce, with Atlas Entertainment’s Alan Glazer as executive producer. Production is scheduled to begin in April.

Romeo and Juliet is being directed by Carlo Carlei and stars Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth in the titles roles with Paul Giamatti, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Ed Westwick in other parts.

Though it will retain the original period setting, this version of Shakespeare’s classic is being aimed at a young audience. The film started shooting in Italy at the beginning of this year with . Fellowes, Illeen Maisel and Lawrence Elman of Amber Entertainment producing.