EXCLUSIVE: Danielle Gasher, former executive at Voltage Pictures and Gravitas Ventures, is opening up for the first time about her vision for Vaneast, her newly launched sales and production company based in Los Angeles. Gasher is currently attending her first American Film Market under the Vaneast banner, showcasing a dynamic slate of projects—including the action-comedy Hellhound, starring Marisa Tomei, Chris Messina, and Sam Rockwell—which Vaneast will now produce in-house.

Expanding the Team
Vaneast has recently partnered with John Ierardi (Torn Hearts) and Bo Youngblood (Break) of Showdown Productions. Ierardi and Youngblood will head Vaneast’s production arm, guiding in-house development and overseeing the physical production of upcoming projects.

Gasher, whose previous roles include Head of Acquisitions and International Sales at Gravitas Ventures and Vice President of International Sales at Voltage Pictures, shared her strategic plan: “The plan is to acquire ten third-party acquisition titles per year, with an additional three to five in-house productions. That’s where John and Bo come in. They manage our financing partners, bring in financing, and work closely with filmmakers, the budget, and the line producer, etc. Our first in-house production is Hellhound, which is due to start shooting in Q1. John and Bo oversee production and financing, while I oversee distribution.”

Production Updates
Vaneast has amicably taken over the production reins on Hellhound from its initial producer, Hungry Bull. Early international buyers for the film include Front Row (MENA), NOS Lusomundo (Portugal), and Paradise (CIS).

The Vaneast team also features Paige Williams, former business affairs executive at Voltage Pictures and The Exchange, who will handle business affairs for the company.

Upcoming and Recent Sales
Vaneast’s initial sales lineup includes:

– Comedy Jacob Beats Up Nate, starring Lamorne Morris, Justin Long, and Naturi Naughton
– Toronto Film Festival selection Little Lorraine, starring Stephen Amell and J Balvin

Recent international sales deals include:
– Ambleside, What We Hide, and The Cure to Signature (UK)
– Little Lorraine to Twelve Oaks (Spain)
– The Confession to Quiver (North America), Exponenta (CIS), and Mediawan (France)
– The Grieving to Kinologistika (CIS), Mediawan (France), Mundo Films (LatAm), Silverline (Philippines), and Tiberius (GAS region)

A Modern Indie Model
“At Vaneast, we’re not trying to reinvent the indie model,” Gasher said. “But we are looking to elevate and modernize the experience for filmmakers, investors, and distributors. Our approach is holistic. We feel that understanding how each part of the industry connects is key to delivering real value.”

A Personal Touch
The company’s name holds special meaning for Gasher. Vaneast is a tribute to her late father, a journalist and lifelong cinephile, who used “Vaneast” as his password—a nod to meeting her mother on Vancouver’s east side in the 1980s.

“He was the one who introduced me to the magic of movies,” said Gasher. “That love of cinema is what drives everything we do at Vaneast.”

Looking Ahead
Gasher’s executive producer credits include the upcoming romantic comedy F*ck Valentine’s Day, starring Marisa Tomei, Virginia Gardner, Skylar Astin, and Lil Rel Howery.

With its strategic partnerships, robust slate, and personal passion for filmmaking, Vaneast aims to carve out a unique space in today’s international independent film marketplace.
https://deadline.com/2025/11/danielle-gasher-talks-vaneast-afm-hellhound-marisa-tomei-1236617337/