Lightbox exits C4’s Indie Growth Fund

Simon and Jonathan Chinn

Lightbox, the London- and LA-based factual prodco run by Simon and Jonathan Chinn, is to leave Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund (IGF).

Lightbox was one of the first companies to join the IGF when it was launched by the commercially funded UK pubcaster in 2014 and has now agreed to buy back its shares for an undisclosed fee.

The decision will allow Channel 4 to realise the value of its investment whilst allowing the Lightbox founders to take full control of the company during its next stage of growth.

Founded by two-time Academy Award-winning producer Simon Chinn and two-time Emmy-winning producer Jonathan Chinn, Lightbox’s productions include feature documentaries LA 92 (Nat Geo), Whitney (theatrical), Tell Me Who I Am (Netflix), Untouchable: The Rise & Fall of Harvey Weinstein (BBC2/Hulu) Torn (National Geographic/theatrical) and Tina.

Lightbox’s series output includes recent and forthcoming productions such as Hip Hop Uncovered (FX), Supervillain (Showtime), Return to the Moon (National Geographic), Sophie’s Story (working title, Netflix) Diagnosis (Netflix) and Murder Mountain (Netflix/Fusion).

The company says it is currently in production on multiple series and feature docs for streaming platforms and broadcasters.

Caroline Murphy, head of the IGF, said: “We’ve really enjoyed working with Jonathan and Simon over the past six years and it’s been wonderful to see their business flourish into a multi-award-winning independent TV and film production company. They are supremely talented filmmakers and now seems like a natural time for them to take full ownership of the company. We wish them every success as they embark on the next stage of their journey.”

Simon and Jonathan Chinn added: “We have greatly valued our partnership with Channel 4 and the Indie Growth Fund, which has enabled us to achieve our ambitions to grow our business substantially, and to establish our brand, in the first phase of Lightbox’s evolution.

“We are grateful to Alex Mahon, Martin Baker, Caroline Murphy and the whole team at the IGF for their enduring support over the past six years and are hugely excited about what lies ahead as we take Lightbox to the next level.”

The announcement comes after the IGF recently announced it had invested in two independent production companies, Proper Content and Yeti.