Sev Ohanian

Sev Ohanian is a screenwriter and/or producer of over a dozen feature films. He co-wrote and produced the indie breakout “Searching,” which was made for $880K and grossed over $75M in theaters worldwide. Most recently, his film “Run,” which he also co-wrote and produced, became the most-watched film ever on Hulu when it premiered in November 2020.

Ohanian was the recipient of the 2018 Sundance Institute/Amazon Studios Producer of the Year Award, as well as the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Award. “Searching” was awarded the Sundance NEXT Audience Award and was acquired by Sony after an all-night bidding war. The Wrap has also recognized Ohanian in its annual list of “11 Innovators Changing Hollywood,” alongside Angelina Jolie, Jimmy Fallon and other industry names. Additionally, two years after his graduation, Ohanian was asked to teach producing at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, where he taught for over 4 years as an adjunct producer while still making films.

Ohanian has built a reputation as a prolific, in-demand producer with many of his indie projects landing at premiere film festivals and selling to major distributors, including Ryan Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station,” Clea DuVall’s “The Intervention” and Andrew Bujalski’s “Results.” He recently sold a TV show to HBO Max, to be announced soon. 

As a screenwriter, his script for “Run” sold to Lionsgate after a bidding war. After the pandemic prevented its domestic theatrical release, the finished film sold to Hulu in another competitive situation. Ohanian also co-wrote the story treatment for “Searching II” and is overseeing the sequel as producer once again.

Since co-founding Proximity, Ohanian has worked as the primary on-the-ground producer on the films “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and “Judas and the Black Messiah” for Warner Brothers, which was nominated for six Academy Awards®, including Best Picture. Daniel Kaluuya won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar® for his role as Chairman Fred Hampton and H.E.R won Best Original Song for “Fight for You” on behalf of the film.

Up next, Ohanian is producing “Bitter Root” with Legendary Pictures. This film will be directed by Regina King and will follow a 1920s Harlem family of monster hunters operating to stop a portal to the netherworld from opening.