Dan Guando Joins Closer Media As EVP As Company Unveils Blumhouse Atomic Monster Deal

EXCLUSIVE: Closer Media, the film production and financing company founded by Zhang Xin, has hired Dan Guando for the role of Executive Vice President.

Guando joins from Fifth Season, where he was Executive Vice President, Head of Film Creative. His hiring comes as Closer unveils a multi-year deal with Blumhouse Atomic Monster whereby they’ll develop and co-finance a slate of lower-budgeted original films alongside the company. Their first two projects on the docket under that partnership are Occupant, Josh Giuliano’s follow-up to the buzzy TIFF Midnight title River, which starts production in October, and Spencer Lackey’s debut feature Lust, aiming for a start in Q1 2027.

The Blumhouse Atomic Monster deal represents just a piece of Closer Media’s business: Their upcoming slate also includes projects from Brandon Cronenberg, Ava DuVernay, Greg Yagolnitzer and Raviv Ulllman, Josh Margolin and Ilker Catak.

Closer is coming off a buzzy Venice premiere for Alex Gibney’s Musk, which is rated 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and releases theatrically through Bleecker Street on October 9. The company also recently saw Netflix unveil its Sundance-premiering documentary Teenage Wasteland from Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine.

At Fifth Season, Guando oversaw a slate of lauded films including The Lost Daughter, Cha Cha Real Smooth, Flora and Son, Book Club: The Next Chapter, Nonnas and Friendship. He’s based in New York, reports to President Jonathan King, and will also work alongside Closer’s existing executive team of Senior Vice President Joanna Korshak, Director of Development John Lin and Creative Executive Sean Pan.

Prior to his time at Fifth Season, Guando was U.S. Head of Film at The Weinstein Company, where he oversaw the acquisition, production and release of dozens of films, including The Imitation Game, Lion, The Artist, Fruitvale Station, Snowpiercer, Blue Valentine and Sing Street.

“I have been watching Closer Media grow with huge admiration and am thrilled to join Xin, Jonathan, and their amazing team,” the exec said. “I am proud to join such an accomplished and ambitious company who shares my passion for supporting world-class filmmakers at a time when audiences are craving more original storytelling. After a wonderful decade at Fifth Season, I can’t wait to help Closer Media fulfill Xin’s vision to become a best-in-class production company and creative home.”

Founded in 2021 by billionaire entrepreneur Xin, Closer’s past projects include such docs as Gibney’s In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon and Raoul Peck’s Orwell: 2+2=5, plus narrative features including Tony Goldwyn’s Ezra, Pawo Choyning Dorji’s The Monk and the Gun, Oliver Hermanus’ The History of Sound, and Justin Lin’s Last Days.

Speaking to her new hire, Xin told us, “Dan brings a unique combination of creative judgment, industry experience, and a deep understanding of how great films are developed and brought to audiences. Dan’s relationships will be invaluable as we continue to build a distinctive slate and work with some of the industry’s most exciting talent.”