FreeWill
Films
Your Entertainment. Your Choice.
Projects
Walking on Palmettos
SPACEjunk!
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American Saviors
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Between the Stairs
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Del Rey Park
Dean's List
Swim to the Moon
About
FreeWill Films is dedicated to the creation of high-quality, cast-driven theatrical entertainment across a variety of genres and budget levels. The Los Angeles-based company was founded in 2016 by writer-producer Jim Christell as a vehicle for its flagship film, Walking on Palmettos. However, operations quickly expanded thanks to an ever-growing development slate and sturdy relationships with outside production resources. Soon after, Mr. Christell brought in veteran freelance producer Mark Heidelberger as chief consultant to help advance the company’s film slate. As such, they have focused on creating content that features topical themes, thought-provoking plotlines and engaging characters – many based on real-life individuals. FreeWill Films aims to be a pioneer in the content creation space, shaping audience perspec-tives and affecting change while it entertains.
Team
Jim Christell
President, Producer, Writer
Jim was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from college majoring in art and business, he opened his own agency, Jim Christell and Associates, managing the careers of independent commercial photographers and illustrators. His firm quickly evolved and expanded to represent national and international commercial live-action film directors, special effects and animation directors, post production studios, and music composers. Among the many national and international award-winning talent Jim Christell and Associates represented were film directors Ridley Scott (Gladiator), Tony Scott (Top Gun), Jake Scott (Welcome to the Rileys), Marco Brambilla (Demolition Man), Denis Piel, Lol Crème and cinematographer Caleb Deschanel (National Treasure); animation directors Tim Johnson, Rocky Yamanaka and Fred Wolf (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles); and music composers Cliff Colnot and Scott Elias. After his long career representing the creative careers of such dynamic commercial artists and production studios, Jim relocated to Los Angeles to pursue writing for feature films and television.
Mark Heidelberger
Consulting Producer
Mark Heidelberger began his career working for companies like Outlaw Productions, Film Roman and Ken Sherman & Associates. He co-founded Beverly Hills-based Treasure Entertainment in 2000, serving as a film executive, content creator and literary manager until 2011 before leaving to become a freelance producer. He has produced music videos for artists Janelle Monae, Snoop Dogg, Cam’ron and John Michael Montgomery as well as commercials for Lamborghini, Con Air and Cox Media, to name a few. His feature film credits include Harsh Times, Comfort, Ninja Apocalypse, The Basement, It’s Not You It’s Me, Pray for Rain, Take the Night and Last Night on Earth, among many others. He also developed and packaged the thriller Don McKay, produced web series Chopper and The Offer, and executive produced Hallmark Channel’s hit television movie You’ve Got a Friend. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America. He holds a BA in Film Studies from UCSB and an MFA in Producing from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television.
Press
Contact
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