Wild Bunch and Senator Entertainment are to form a joint distribution venture in Germany as part of a broader agreement that will see the partners collaborate on co-productions and financing.

The German distribution deal comes after Wild Bunch acquired 50% of Senator's shares of distribution subsidiary Central Film Verleih GmbH, which will release Wild Bunch films in theatres and on video and TV through Senator.

Wild Bunch CEO Vincent Grimond said the deal marked the latest step in his company's establishment of a European distribution network, which has already taken hold in France, Italy and the Benelux territories.

'Germany is a key component in the development and consolidation of this strategy, and it was vital that Wild Bunch address this market with the right partner, one with whom further co-operation had to be possible,' Grimond said. 'Senator has already proven to be the right choice.'

Senator Entertainment AG CEOs Helge Sasse and Marco Weber called Wild Bunch 'a premium European partner' that represented a key plank in the company's 'internationalisation strategy'.

They added: 'As a joint venture, Central Film is a perfect fit for our promising partnership. Furthermore, the co-operation benefits from a shared bigger vision, and combines the skills and structure necessary to facilitate film production and financing'.

Details on the co-production and financing element of the agreement will be announced in due course.

Central Film Verleih became Senator Entertainment's distribution subsidiary earlier this year and previously offered booking and billing services. It is overseen by Peter Sundarp and Peter Heinzemann.

Topics