OUR STORY
SERVING FILMMAKERS FOR OVER 65 YEARS
WE ARE A PREMIERE PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT & CAMERA RENTAL HOUSE FOR PROFESSIONAL FILMMAKERS
Ever since Jack Birns and Cliff Sawyer opened shop in Hollywood in 1954, filmmakers of every stripe from all over the world have come to us for solutions to their creative desires and technical support needs.
Equipment rentals, sales, and optics manufacturing were the bedrock of Birns & Sawyer and it is still true to this day. Building on the tradition of steadfast service and enduring customer relationships, we are proud and excited to now offer new products and services in the fields of broadcast system integration, lens repair, custom filters, and education with the same standard of excellence and attention to detail.
Employee-owned and staffed with knowledgeable and passionate individuals, many of whom are filmmakers themselves, there’s no denying that we are truly here to help you tell your story because we’ve been there ourselves. We want to be a part of your production so you can be a part of our history.
With offices in the US, Canada and Asia, we believe in an inclusive approach to making the latest cinematic tools, services, and broadcast integration systems accessible with ease, efficiency, and reliability so that you are empowered to do your best visual storytelling, no matter the budget, format, or screen size.
MEET MARI ACEVEDO
Shaping Birns and Sawyer’S New Narrative
A pivotal moment in the company's 70 year history came when Mari Acevedo led the transition from private ownership to employee ownership in 2019, thus empowering the dedicated team that contributed to the company's success. The subsequent year marked another historic milestone as Mari assumed the position of CEO, becoming the first female leader in the company's history. In 2023, she spearheaded the initiative to create a filmmaker grant specifically aimed at supporting aspiring filmmakers from under-represented communities. Her visionary leadership culminated in the successful launch of the inaugural FilAm Creative Film Festival, drawing thousands of attendees - an exceptional achievement for a first-year festival in the competitive Los Angeles landscape. Notably, Mari stands as one of only two women CEOs out of 87 other film equipment rental companies in Southern California and she is the sole AAPI leader among them. Under Mari's leadership, Birns & Sawyer embraced a new chapter, venturing into film production with its first feature film projects in 2024. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Mari is a fierce advocate for gender balance in the film and entertainment industries. Her dedication to equality, manifested through outreach programs, networking initiatives, and advocacy efforts, is an inspiration to all. As Mari continues to shape the narrative of Birns & Sawyer and the industry at large, her unwavering commitment to innovation, diversity, and empowerment stands as a testament to her role as a transformative force in the world of filmmaking.
