Happyend

Source: VENICE FILM FESTIVAL

‘Happyend’

Metrograph Pictures is “pausing any further theatrical releases” to focus on its core businesses, a spokesperson confirmed to Screen after it was announced that former executive David Laub has joined Neon.

Laub arrived as head of Metrograph Pictures in early 2004 at a time when the company led by CEO Christian Grass was looking to grow its prestige theatrical operation and distribute up to 10 “robustly supported” releases a year.

He acquired and released such films as India Donaldson’s Good One, Cannes selection Santosh, and Venice prize-winner April by Dea Kulumbegashvilli.

However in June, fledgling distributor 1-2 Special acquired US rights to Christian Petzold’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight entry Mirrors No. 3 (Miroirs No. 3), which had previously been at Metrograph. Screen understands on that occasion Metrograph and the filmmakers could not agree final terms and the film was back on the market by Cannes.

While specifics remained unclear, the development is consistent within a challenged US theatrical distribution sector buffeted by Hollywood-wide cost-cutting, the allure of streaming, and the post-Covid impact on cinema-going.

On Thursday Laub joined Neon as SVP marketing and publicity.

In a statement, a Metrograph Pictures spokesperson said: “We are thrilled for David and Neon as they continue to build their business and look forward to working with them closely, and we are grateful for everything David has done for Metrograph Pictures.

“For the time being, we will be pausing any further theatrical releases to focus on the growth of our core businesses. Metrograph continues to reach new heights in 2025 as a true cultural center in New York – as a cinema, hospitality hub, event venue, streaming service, and publisher.”

Grass remains as CEO. Metrographs’s 2025 pipeline included Neo Sora’s sci-fi and 2024 Venice selection Happyend, which has reverted to global sales agent Magnify (a US deal will be announced soon), as well as Julien Colonna’s 2024 Cannes Un Certain Regard mob thriller The Kingdom.

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