About Us
Swirl Films was founded in 2001 with Eric Tomosunas’ ambitious vision to establish a diversified independent media company to create quality content and engage experiences for a global audience. Swirl Films’ independent approach has propelled the company’s physical production services in live action features, episodic television, unscripted series, and event programming to now also developing and selling original content and operating as a fully functioning studio.
Our Team
Eric Tomosunas
Producer, Founder, CEO
Eric Tomosunas, established Swirl Films as the leading independent television and film production company with a natural core focus on diversity in front of and behind the camera in 2001. In the last 6 years alone, he’s led Swirl Films in creating over 100+ original productions across various platforms and distributors, including BET, TV One, Bounce, Lifetime, Hallmark, Reel One, Netflix & Up TV. Notable titles include Behind the Movement: The Rosa Park Story, Saints & Sinners,” and “Uncensored” to name a few. Recognizing the value in the booming Atlanta production scene, Tomosunas purchased a 100,000 square foot film studio outside Atlanta in 2019, which he operates for Swirl productions as well as major network and studio partners.
Tomosunas coins himself as a solutions-based leader working tirelessly to empower and motivate his team to push the limits of quality production. His knack for creating inclusive and original content has garnered Swirl Films numerous awards and nominations for various films and series. Hallmark’s breakout holiday film Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses won an Epiphany and Movie Guide Award, Swirl also won a Telly Award for Behind the Movement and several Swirl Films properties have earned nominations from the NAACP Image Awards. Most recently, When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story received a nomination from the NAACP in the Outstanding Television Limited Series or Dramatic Special category.
Getting his start in the entertainment industry on the music side, Tomosunas always had an interest in films. A Wilmington, North Carolina native, Tomosunas recalls shooting super 8 films as a child. Those memories of creating films stayed with him throughout his career which included being a band member, a DJ, and an ADR recordist for the iconic American drama “Dawson’s Creek.”
As an independent producer, Tomosunas admits that free time is a luxury. When he’s not tied up running multiple productions out of his Atlanta-based stages, Tomosunas enjoys playing soccer and is a dedicated Atlanta United fan. Tomosunas also serves as a board member for Kile’s Beautiful Mind, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting under-served youth who have an unwavering passion for the arts and entrepreneurship.
Keith Neal
VP Production Talent
Keith Neal, veteran producer and production executive, is the Vice President of Swirl Films. He has produced over 100 television projects with the company. From movies to series, covering scripted & unscripted shows as well as specialty programming. He helps oversee the day-to-day production of Swirl Films’ slate and is instrumental in negotiating talent deals. Keith has helped produce a lineup of successful scripted series within the company such as “Saints and Sinners” and”Tales;” as well as biopics, award shows and documentaries. Prior to joining Swirl Films, Keith Neal was a professional football player with the NFL and worked in the music industry as a tour manager and management executive.
Shannon Settlemyre
Post Production/Distribution Manager
Shannon is jokingly known around the office as Swirl Employee #1. She has been a part of the Swirl family since it was known as “Swirl Recordings” in the early 2000’s. Shannon started her film career at Swirl where she led the foreign language film/anime dubbing department for over a decade. She was the voice director for any films that came through Swirl. She also was a voice actress, playing roles for the voice of the famous Hello Kitty character, Lum the Invader Princess, and countless other titles.
Shannon also was a documentary videographer/photographer, post production editor and sound engineer for Swirl for many years until she took a break from film to spend time raising her beautiful children, Madden and Logan. Shannon earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She relocated her family to Atlanta to rejoin her Swirl Films roots in Post Production where she loves to be the most. Shannon is a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan, loves dance and spending time with her favorite people and pets.
Partnerships
Swirl Films has negotiated partnerships that guarantee optimal exposure across networks, distribution and retail channels. Whether domestic or international, Swirl Films will get you wherever you want to be.
