New York-based independent producers Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy of Parts & Labor, who recently produced Oscar-nominated Beginners, have struck an output and development deal with K5 Media Group. 

The deal covers all current projects being developed by Parts & Labor. Those include Adam Rapp’s theatre adaptation Red Light Winter (to be produced by Scott Rudin and starring Kirsten Dunst and Mark Ruffalo), and Gregg Araki’s The Womb.

Knudsen and Von Hoy, who met in 2000 working for Scott Rudin, and from 2008-2011 had a three-year first look deal with Rudin.

The indie powerhouse has credits including Treeless Mountain, Old Joy, Exploding Girl, and Cold Weather.

The deal was negotiated on behalf of Parts & Labor by André des Rochers, of Gray, Krauss des Rochers and K5’s Oliver Simon and Daniel Baur.

“Jay and Lars have clearly learned from one of the best in being mentored by Scott Rudin and they are at the forefront of the new wave of important indie producers,” says K5’s Simon. “They’re ambitious too, like us, and we see this deal as a great opportunity to grow together.”

Bauradded: “We’ve known Lars and Jay for some time now, from chasing Beginners and from securing Here for international sales last year.  They are undoubtedly two of the most talented young producers out there supporting extraordinarily talented auteurs with unique voices and visions.”

“K5 has already proven themselves to be great partners and we’re very pleased to have successfully concluded this negotiation, a process in which we mapped and structured our mutual, long-term growth,” said Van Hoy. “The potential is huge.”

Knudsen said: “This relationship is founded on our absolute faith in the abilities and achievements of the entire team. We thank Oliver, Daniel, Carl and Sascha for their confidence in us, and we look forward to a lasting, successful relationship.”

K5 Media Group was founded in 2007 by Simon and Baur as a sales, finance and production company. The company is now based in Munich, London and Los Angeles. Its sales slate for Berlin’s EFM includes Vehicle 19 starring Paul Walker, Bille August’s Night Train to Lisbon and Elvis & Nixon starring Eric Bana and Danny Huston.