Biography

Chonacas has been a visionary entrepreneur from a young age, long before his move to Los Angeles. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, he began his creative journey excelling in illustration and graphic design. His passion evolved into photography, where his unique ability to capture beauty earned him awards, scholarships, and recognition in the arts.

Growing up in a large, low income family, Chonacas understood the challenges of pursuing a career in the arts. Turning down scholarships and other opportunities, he chose to dedicate himself entirely to mastering business. His relentless pursuit of knowledge quickly yielded results, becoming a respected luxury motorsports salesman. This success allowed him to acquire a chain of tanning salons, which later expanded into real estate, flipping houses independently without the aid of banks or investors. With financial independence and a wealth of business acumen, Chonacas sold his businesses to return to his first love... art.

Entering the independent film world in 2008, Chonacas founded Untouchable Films, initially raising production financing for several prominent companies. His extensive industry network and sharp negotiation skills led him to produce his own films, establishing Untouchable as a well known independent production company with a current slate of 55 feature films.

In 2016, Chonacas' reputation caught the attention of industry leaders, landing him the role of managing a $15 million film fund on the Paramount Pictures Studio lot, a major success that propelled him to launch his own fund.

By 2018, Chonacas co-founded Gold Tree Films alongside his longtime attorney and producing partner, William J. Immerman. Their partnership secured sought after productions with A-list talent, along with $50 million in equity financing through Bank & Trust. Though the COVID-19 pandemic halted the financing, Chonacas persevered, pushing the company forward.

In 2022, Chonacas launched Gold Tree Studios with Immerman as COO, establishing its flagship location on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. The cutting edge facility set a new standard for post-production services. Despite industry strikes, Chonacas kept the studio afloat and expanded to Buffalo, NY, and Vancouver Island, Canada.

Following Immerman's unexpected passing in 2023, Chonacas honored their shared vision by founding Animation GT, a subsidiary of Gold Tree dedicated to full spectrum film and TV animation. The company secured partnerships with top industry leaders and acquired multiple high-profile IPs.

Now in 2025, Chonacas has secured $1 billion in financing from Malka Equities, becoming their exclusive partner for Film, TV, and Animation. The funding will fuel a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem offering production facilities, equipment rentals, and tax-incentivized properties.
- IMDb mini biography by: 06/24/24