Producers Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, winners Best Feature for 'Precious,' pose in the press room at the 25th Film Independent's Spirit Awards held at Nokia Event Deck at L.A. Live on March 5, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.
Founded in 2007 by Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness, Smokewood Entertainment produces films with positive messages for diverse audiences. The Denver-based company produced the award-winning motion picture “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,” and executive produced the critically acclaimed feature “Tennessee.” Upcoming projects include motion picture and television treatments based on Megan McDonald’s Judy Moody young adult book series.
Sarah Siegel-Magness is the co-founder, along with husband Gary Magness, and managing partner of Smokewood Entertainment. Sarah’s credit include producing the award-winning Lionsgate film “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,” and executive producing the critically acclaimed Vivendi Entertainment feature “Tennessee.” Recent projects include motion picture and television projects based on Megan McDonald’s Judy Moody young adult book series. Through their Smokewood shingle, Sarah and Gary will produce films with positive messages for diverse audiences.
Sarah graduated from the University of Colorado’s School of Business. Following a brief career in the music industry, she launched So Low, a young women’s clothing line, which she still operates today. The line is sold at upscale retailers nationwide.
Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to be nominated for the ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award’ at age 30, and become active in the Young Entrepreneurs Organization, a global nonprofit education organization.
A Colorado native, Sarah currently lives in Denver with Gary and their family. She is active in a number of philanthropic causes including Food Bank of the Rockies, Energy Up and The Fresh Air Fund.
Gary Magness is the co-founder, along with wife Sarah Siegel-Magness, of Smokewood Entertainment. Gary’s credits include producing the award-winning Lionsgate film “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,” and executive producing the critically acclaimed Vivendi Entertainment feature “Tennessee.” Recent projects include motion picture and television treatments based on Megan McDonald’s Judy Moody young adult book series. Through their Smokewood shingle, Gary and Sarah will produce films with positive messages for diverse audiences.
He was born in Texas and reared in Montana in a family with a legacy steeped in cattle ranching and cotton. This rich family history led Gary to seek an agribusiness degree in college and an early career as a cattle rancher. Just as his parents segued from agriculture to cable television in the 1950s, Gary followed suit, helping to build the family business into cable giant Tele-Communications, Inc., which later merged with AT&T. He remains a significant stockholder in the company today.
It was his entrepreneurial spirit that led Gary to become involved in many businesses which are now part of The Magness Investment Group. The company’s diverse portfolio includes Magness Land & Cattle; Fortrust, a Denver-based state-of-the-art data center; and aquaculture breeding farms.
Gary’s personal interest in vintage automobiles led to a personal car collection and eventually to the founding of Mango Motors, a classic car dealership. He is also the team leader of Mango Racing, which competes in races several times each year, including the grueling Baja 1000 off-road race.
Gary currently lives in Denver with Sarah and their family. He is active in a number of philanthropic causes including Food Bank of the Rockies, The University of Denver and The Fresh Air Fund.