Hammerstone Studios is embarking on a new phase of expansion with the strategic appointment of Karina Manashil to a pivotal leadership role. Manashil, a seasoned professional in the media and entertainment landscape, will spearhead creative and brand development initiatives, bringing her extensive experience to diversify the studio's portfolio beyond traditional film production into emerging markets such as gaming, publishing, and live events. Her vision for culture-focused content is set to attract high-profile talent and projects, marking a significant evolution for the company.
Hammerstone Studios Welcomes New Creative Leadership with Karina Manashil's Appointment
In a significant move for the entertainment industry, Hammerstone Studios officially announced on March 5, 2026, the hiring of Karina Manashil as Senior Vice President of Creative and Brand Development. This strategic appointment is poised to broaden the independent production company's horizons considerably. Manashil's impressive career, spanning more than ten years, includes her recent tenure as the founder and president of Kaijo, a production firm dedicated to crafting unique and adapted intellectual properties.
In her new and dynamic role at Hammerstone Studios, Manashil will be at the forefront of the company's ambitious plans for expansion. This includes venturing into the lucrative sectors of publishing, merchandising, interactive gaming, and engaging live events. Furthermore, she is expected to play a crucial part in strengthening the studio's existing film slate, aiming to bring in culturally relevant content that resonates with top-tier artists and athletes.
Manashil is already actively contributing to Hammerstone's current projects. She is collaborating on "Slime," an animated feature directed by Jeron Braxton, which boasts an impressive voice cast including Willow Smith, Kid Cudi, John Boyega, Anna Sawai, Teyana Taylor, LaKeith Stanfield, John Cho, and Winston Duke. Prior to joining Hammerstone, Manashil co-founded Mad Solar with recording artist Kid Cudi, where she successfully launched the Amazon Prime documentary "A Man Named Scott." Her executive producer credits also include A24's critically acclaimed horror trilogy: "X," "Pearl," and "MaXXXine." Additionally, she garnered an Emmy Award nomination for her work on Netflix's animated musical romance "Entergalactic," a project released in conjunction with Kid Cudi's album of the same name. Her career trajectory began as a talent agent at WME, where she represented a diverse roster of artists including Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, Dax Shepard, Stephen Merchant, and Paul Reubens.
Alex Lebovici, the visionary founder and CEO of Hammerstone Studios, expressed his enthusiasm for Manashil's arrival, highlighting her exceptional talent and extensive network within the industry. He stated that her leadership is exactly what Hammerstone needs as it transitions into its next phase of growth. Lebovici emphasized that Manashil's rich experience will enable the company to thoughtfully expand its footprint into original and adapted intellectual property, while consistently delivering content that shapes culture. Manashil, in turn, conveyed her honor in partnering with Lebovici and the Hammerstone team, reflecting on their past collaborations, including casting Scott Mescudi in "Bill & Ted Face the Music" and their joint effort on "Slime." She lauded Lebovici's creative, passionate, and audience-first approach, affirming that her personal goal of creating culturally impactful content aligns perfectly with Hammerstone's vision.
Hammerstone Studios continues to be a prolific force in the industry, having produced 18 films in under eight years. The studio currently has several high-profile projects in post-production, including David Sandberg's "Kung Fury The Movie," Gabriel Basso's directorial debut "Iconoclast" starring Courtney Eaton, Noah Centineo, Rain Spencer, and Dasha Nekrasova, and Elegance Bratton's "By Any Means," featuring Mark Wahlberg and Yahya Abdul Mateen II.
This appointment signals a bold step for Hammerstone Studios, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and diversification within the competitive entertainment landscape. With Manashil's expertise, the studio is well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities and continue its trajectory of success in producing compelling and culturally significant content.