Utopia has added Dave A. Liu, a veteran government and investor, as strategic advisor to its CEO and board of administrators.

In his new function, Liu will assist steer the corporate’s strategic and monetary initiatives. He will even work to amplify numerous voices throughout Utopia, the indie media firm stated. Liu has labored in Silicon Valley and Wall Avenue. He has been an funding banker, entrepreneur, and movie producer, elevating over $15 billion for a whole bunch of firms, whereas creating a number of start-ups and writing a bestselling guide, “The Manner of the Wall Avenue Warrior: Conquer the Company Sport Utilizing Ideas, Tips, and Smartcuts.” Liu additionally invested in Stampede Ventures and TEG, amongst different firms.

Co-founded by Robert Coppola Schwartzman and Cole Harper, Utopia says it hopes to leverage Liu’s experience to strengthen its core enterprise, whereas enhancing its deal with range and inclusion inside the movie and TV industries. Particularly, Utopia will work with Mr. Liu to bolster the event and acquisition of initiatives created by Asian and Pacific Islander filmmakers.

Utopia has raised its profile in recent times, releasing important favorites and arthouse hits like “Holy Spider,” “Shiva Child” and “Femme.” Its output has grown from 4 movies in 2019 to a median of three acquisitions and new productions per 30 days. Many of those motion pictures are from underrepresented filmmakers or LGBTQ administrators.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Dave to Utopia,” Schwartzman stated. “His wealth of expertise and eager strategic imaginative and prescient align completely with our objectives for the longer term. With Dave on board, we’re assured in our capability to not solely navigate the ever-evolving panorama of impartial movie, but in addition champion fairness and inclusivity inside our initiatives.”

“Dave’s dedication to supporting rising expertise and selling range aligns seamlessly with Utopia’s values,” Harper stated. “Not solely has Dave produced movies himself, however he has additionally philanthropically supported the theatrical premieres of many Asian American movie successes equivalent to ‘Loopy Wealthy Asians’ and ‘Previous Lives.’ There are millions of high-quality movies made yearly that provide contemporary views to cinema, and Dave understands how one can correctly launch them at scale. We consider that Dave’s experience will play an important function as we proceed to discover new alternatives and increase our attain. Discovering and fostering movies and filmmakers at each section of improvement and distribution is our primary precedence.”

“I’m honored to be a part of Utopia and contribute to the corporate’s explosive development and imaginative and prescient,” Liu stated. “Utopia’s dedication to impartial movie and its dedication to amplifying numerous voices resonate with me deeply. I stay up for working alongside Robert, Cole, and your entire Utopia workforce to make an enduring influence on the impartial movie trade.”