Berlin-based distributor and producer DCM has acquired leading Swiss independent distributor Ascot Elite Entertainment.
Launched in 1928, Ascot’s recent release slate includes The Housemaid, Marty Supreme and No Other Choice. Run by Karin G. Dietrich, Ralph S. Dietrich and Stephan Giger and with 23 employees, Ascot has transferred full ownership to DCM.
In a statement, Ascot said they approached DCM about the deal “in preparation for a smooth handover of the family-run company.”
DCM is run by founding partners Dario Suter, Christoph Daniel, Marc Schmidheiny and Joel Brandeis and managing director Stephanie Candinas. Its releases include H Is For Hawk, Allegro Pastell, I’m Still Here and Longlegs.
Despite operating as competitors, the two companies had long enjoyed cordial relations, they said in a statement.
The takeover marks the next step in DCM’s growth strategy and expands its market position in film production and distribution in the German-speaking world.
In 2024, the company took a stake in Wim Wenders‘ production company Road Movies. It also has a stake in London-based film sales company Rocket Science and in the New York arthouse theater Metrograph.
Ascot’s previous owners will remain involved in the company as independent producers and members of the board of directors.
Candinas will take on responsibility for the executive management of the company, while Giger will remain in place as co-managing director for a transitional period. The companies and their teams will be merged over the course of this year, after which the new entity will operate under the DCM brand.
Candinas said: “I am delighted to pool our expertise as a strong, single entity that will take our buying and film marketing operations to the next level going forward.”
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