Variety reports that Yair Landau, president of Sony Pictures Digital for the last 10 years, and with Sony for the last 17, is leaving his position to start his own animation and videogame venture. Landau is officially leaving in April of this year, and so far, no replacement has been named. He will, however, remain as executive producer on Sony’s next year CG film release, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”.

Landau and Tim Sarnoff are credited with building Imageworks into one of the leading vfx companies in the industry.

News of Landau’s departure, however, puts a further cloud over Imageworks, which is up for sale — if Sony can find a buyer.

Landau promised a further announcement about his venture in the near future. He said he is joining the boards of several startups, has been approached by venture capitalists and plans to invest in media, entertainment and technology companies.