Edisson Chatchatrian

Source: WatchWatchers Films

Edisson Chatchatrian

EXCLUSIVE: Former The Searchers executive Edisson Chatchatrian has launched new Benelux independent distribution company WatchWatchers Films and will be attending this month’s American Film Market (AFM) scouting for new acquisitions. 

Chatchatrian, who was vice-president of sales and acquisitions at Belgian distributor The Searchers from 2018 until August this year, has already acquired an initial slate of home entertainment titles for WatchWatchers Films. They include 2024’s Hellboy: The Crooked Man and Agent Recon from Millennium Films and 2026 feature Legend Of The White Dragon from Film Mode.

WatchWatchers Films plans to launch its first theatrical releases early next year. The company will release its own acquisitions while also handling service distribution for other distributors.

Initial titles will include the Belgian theatrical releases of Sander Burger’sYouri on behalf of Dutch distributor Gusto Entertainment; James Nunn’s survival thriller Hungry on behalf of Premiere TV; and Ludovica Rampoldi’s Breve Storia d’Amore on behalf of  J&J Films.

WatchWatchers also has a deal with SAJE Distribution in France to release certain as-yet undisclosed titles in Dutch-speaking Benelux. 

The new outfit’s own acquisitions include Giuseppe Tornatore’s feature doc Brunello: The Gracious Visionary, about the Italian fashion entrepreneur, which it plans to release in early 2027 on 40 screens.

“The main goal is to have films that are home entertainment-friendly and monetising them. That was also my speciality when I was at Searchers,” Chatchatrian explained. 

At AFM, Chatchatrian said he will be on the hunt for “nice action movies with recognisable casts and good horror movies – I buy with the idea of what works for my TV and VoD partners.” 

Chatchatrian added: “I want to build a stable, long-term partner that international and local filmmakers, producers and rights holders can rely on to bring their films to audiences. Whether that means a theatrical release, broadcast television, streaming or transactional VoD, our approach starts with finding the right path for each film. We are here to stay, and to make a positive contribution to the Benelux film landscape.”

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