Veteran producer launches Adler Entertainment.

Former Eagle Pictures CEO Stefano Dammicco [pictured] is back in Cannes with a new company and his feature project in six years.

The new Italian company, called Adler Entertainment, is a joint venture with Pete Maggi, who helped set up Eagle Pictures in the 1980s, remaining with the company until 2005.

The pair is on the Croisette to launch Adler’s first feature project Time To Dance, a true story based about Cuban dancers set between Havana and London.

Italian director Claudio Del Punta is directing the film that is currently in production.

“It’s a wonderful story about a group of dancers seeking freedom through their love of dance and music… it’s going to have a fantastic soundtrack too,” said Dammicco. “It gives a real insight into the complicated political situation on the island.”

Dammicco has been absent from the film industry for six years after selling Eagle Pictures to Tarak Ben Ammar for a reported €85m in 2007.

Originally focused on the home entertainment industry, Dammicco and his brother Ciro Dammicco had built the company into one of Italy’s most important production and distribution companies at the time of its sale.

“I needed to take some time out but cinema is in my DNA and I just couldn’t stay away and when this project came along I couldn’t resist it,” said Dammicco.

The veteran producer, who notes that Adler means eagle in German, has big plans for the new structure which will also have a UK-based sister company Adler Media. 

Time to Dance is just the beginning. Our aim is to build a slate of big international productions in coming years.”