Closer Media Hires Dan Guando as EVP, Sets Blumhouse Atomic Monster Deal
Closer Media names Dan Guando executive vice president and unveils a multi-year deal with Blumhouse Atomic Monster to develop lower-budget original films.
Closer Media has hired Dan Guando as Executive Vice President, the company said, pairing the appointment with a new multi-year partnership with Blumhouse Atomic Monster to develop and co-finance a slate of lower-budgeted original films.
The first two projects under the deal are Occupant, directed by Josh Giuliano, and Lust, directed by Spencer Lackey. Occupant is set to start production in October, while Lust is aiming for a start in Q1 2027.
Guando joins Closer Media from Fifth Season, where he served as Executive Vice President, Head of Film Creative. At Fifth Season he oversaw films including The Lost Daughter, Cha Cha Real Smooth, Flora and Son, Book Club: The Next Chapter, Nonnas and Friendship.
Before Fifth Season, he was U.S. Head of Film at The Weinstein Company, where his oversight included The Imitation Game, Lion, The Artist, Fruitvale Station, Snowpiercer, Blue Valentine and Sing Street.
Closer Media was founded in 2021 by Zhang Xin. In October 2025, the company had a Venice premiere for Alex Gibney's Musk, which releases theatrically through Bleecker Street on October 9. Netflix recently unveiled Closer Media's Sundance-premiering documentary Teenage Wasteland from Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine.
The hire and the Blumhouse Atomic Monster pact were first reported by Deadline.
Quick answers
Who did Closer Media hire as Executive Vice President?
Closer Media hired Dan Guando as Executive Vice President.
What is Closer Media's deal with Blumhouse Atomic Monster?
It is a multi-year deal to develop and co-finance a slate of lower-budgeted original films.
What are the first projects under the Closer Media and Blumhouse Atomic Monster partnership?
Occupant, directed by Josh Giuliano, and Lust, directed by Spencer Lackey.