Skybound Entertainment, the powerhouse multimedia entertainment company behind global hits like “The Walking Dead” and “Invincible,” has named Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson as the new CEO of its Icelandic production company, Sagafilm. The appointment marks a strategic move in Skybound’s broader European expansion and sets the stage for a dynamic new chapter in the company’s global storytelling ambitions.
Guðmundsson brings decades of experience in Iceland’s media industry, having served as programming director for RÚV Television for 12 years and Stöð 2 for six. He also has a background in cultural journalism with Morgunblaðið.
“Sagafilm is Iceland’s most prolific production company, and I’ve worked with them for many years,” said Guðmundsson. “Together we have produced several pieces of acclaimed content, from scripted series like ‘The Night Shift,’ ‘The Girls’ and ‘The Minister,’ to entertainment shows and documentaries such as ‘Out of Thin Air.’ I’ve witnessed Sagafilm’s evolution into a highly innovative international production company, and I’m thrilled to help drive its future growth with Skybound’s visionary approach.”
Skybound acquired Sagafilm in 2023, signaling a deep investment in European media production. The appointment of Guðmundsson follows a string of strategic moves by the company, including acquiring game publisher 5th Planet Games, launching Skybound Japan to tap into the anime and manga markets and investing in French production company Sceanario42—home of France’s number-one series “Polar Park.”
Rick Jacobs, managing partner and head of Skybound Linear Content, expressed strong support for the new leadership. “We’re excited to welcome Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson to the Skybound family as the new CEO of Sagafilm. His deep expertise and passion for storytelling align perfectly with our mission to create and deliver compelling content that resonates globally. As we continue to expand Skybound’s footprint across Europe and beyond, leaders like Skarphéðinn are instrumental in driving our vision forward. We look forward to this next chapter of growth and innovation, and we can’t wait to see the incredible projects that will come.”
Kjartan Thor Thordarson, managing director of Sagafilm Nordic in Sweden, added, “His decades of experience and creative vision will be invaluable as we continue developing Skybound and Sagafilm’s presence both domestically and internationally.”
Upcoming projects from Sagafilm include the Swedish thriller “VAKA,” the romantic comedy “Everybody Loves Horses,” the Finnish-Icelandic crime series “Hildur” and the Icelandic comedy “Weekend Dads.”
Guðmundsson will officially take the reins in early summer.
