After being unexpectedly ousted last month from Bac Films, a company he founded 21 years ago, Jean Labadie is back with a new independent distribution company. Le Pacte will release its first film in February - Hana Makhmalbaf's Le Cahier - and carry on through the year with a total of sixfilms.

Labadie tells ScreenDaily.com that in 2009 he expects to double that figure to 12, which will be the annual average going forward.

Le Pacte's $2.2m (Euros 1.5m) capital was entirely put up by Labadie, although he says he is in discussions with potential financial/industrial partners. The company will be based in Paris with a team currently being put in place. As with Bac, Labadie will be active in theatrical distribution, video, TV and international sales.

The company's editorial line will be 'wide,' says Labadie. 'We will distribute the films we love with a predilection, of course, for director-minded films and a commitment to the directors and producers with whom we have strong ties.'

Labadie cites Makhmalbaf and Jim Jarmusch as examples and indeed has also signed Jarmusch's The Limit Of Control for a 2008 release. Le Pacte's other title already slated for a 2008 debut is Tullio Garrone's Gomorra.

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