Studiocanal has acquired a majority stake in Dutch FilmWorks, a leading film production and distribution company operating out of Benelux.
Launched in 1998, Dutch FilmWorks produces and distributes 25 films each year and has built a library of over 900 Dutch and international films, including the popular family franchise “The Claus Family”. The acquisition of Dutch FilmWorks is part of Studiocanal’s goal to enhance its pipeline of premium European content with international capabilities.
Studiocanal, which is owned by Vivendi, operates in all four major European markets – France, UK, Germany and Spain – as well as in Australia and New Zealand. The banner also produces more than 200 hours of television series each year internationally, either internally with Studiocanal Original, or through its network of European production labels, including Germany’s Tandem Productions, UK’s RED Productions, and UK’s Urban Myth. United Films and SunnyMarch TV, Spain’s Bambu Producciones, or Scandinavian SAM Productions.
Dutch FilmWorks will benefit from Studiocanal’s international network, distribution capabilities and wealth of content. Raya’s management team and operational structure will remain unchanged with CEO Willem Bruisers, Co-CEO Marcel de Block and COO René van Tornhout on board.
“I am proud to welcome Dutch FilmWorks to Studiocanal. “Our values are aligned across production, acquisitions and distribution, as well as through a shared creative vision,” said Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal.
“Together, we will realize our ambition to produce first-class European content, from Benelux, that will captivate audiences around the world,” added Marsh. “This collaboration is very exciting, and I know that our roster is in the hands of a very talented and professional team.”
Among the top domestic hits by Dutch FilmWorks are “My Best Friend Anne Frank”, “Pirates Down the Street” and “Banker of the Resistance”. The company has also released Hollywood movies such as “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard”, “Midway” and “The Wolf of Wall Street”.
“Dutch FilmWorks and Studiocanal are a perfect match to strengthen each other in business and creativity. We both operate with the same vision in producing, acquiring and distributing films and series and it is very important: we work from the same values,” said Pruijssers. “After 25 years working as a freelancer, it’s an exciting move but with many opportunities for growth, including more possibilities to bring Dutch and Flemish content to an international audience.”
Pruijssers said the banner accounts for a third of Benelux’s market share and that local films make an average of about $35 million in BO. “We’re not as strong as French films, but we’re getting there. Local films account for about 15% of BO in Benelux, so we’re interested,” Pruijssers said. local production but we are also looking at properties that have international appeal,” said Pruijssers.
“Studiocanal will give us the resources to continue producing local content with high production value and budgets and be in a strong position to deal with live broadcasters.”
While Dutch FilmWorks will continue to focus on films, the company has recently had success with TV series and is looking to ramp up its script slate.
“From now on, Dutch FilmWorks will play a bigger role in TV series than in the past,” said the CEO. “The Netherlands has a very high penetration rate, virtually all broadcasters have started in the Netherlands, so there is a huge demand for premium content,” he continued.
Dutch FilmWorks is currently collaborating with Studiocanal Germany and its German subsidiary on the film adaptation of Anna Ruhe’s fantasy-packed book collection The Magical Pharmacy.
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