Participant’s Rob Williams Named President of Content Strategy for Sumerian Pictures

Rob Williams, the veteran film executive who spent a decade at the defunct Participant Media, has been named president of content strategy at Sumerian Pictures.

Founder and CEO Ash Avildsen announced the hire Friday, and has tasked Williams with expanding the unit’s film slate. Sumerian bills itself as an “artists-led independent creative studio,” and Williams will focus on bulking up releases for North America. Sumerian’s primary business is in the music space, publishing genres like rock and metal.

“Rob brings a wealth of experience, relationships and strong instincts in independent film. Most importantly, he shares our passion in telling and discovering compelling stories that deserve theatrical releases,” said Avildsen. “I have dedicated many years of my life to the Sumerian cause in music and now with Rob, we will bring that ethos into cinema. I am grateful to work alongside him and the company we are building together.”

Williams will be based in Los Angeles and oversee strategy, acquisitions and distribution for the film division. At Participant, Williams was responsible for a large portfolio including sales, distribution and acquisitions across movies and series. His credits include the Oscar nominated “All The Beauty and the Bloodshed,” “Green Book,” “Roma” and “American Factory.”

He previously held executive roles at Netflix and Indomina Media and most recently consulted for Neon. Williams is an AMPAS member, and advisory board member for the Independent Film and TV Alliance and Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo.

“I’m thrilled to work with the Sumerian team to support great films and build a greater distribution capacity for the company,” Williams added. “We are looking for bold, distinctive films of any genre.”

Earlier this year, Sumerian theatrically released “Queen of the Ring,” directed by Avildsen and starring Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas, and Walton Goggins. They also rolled out Brendan Yates and Pat McCrory Tribeca player “Turnstile: Never Enough.”