EXCLUSIVE:Acquisitive French media giant Newen Studios has expanded its UK footprint with the purchase of a majority stake in Rise Films, the Oscar-winning producer of Netflix’s IcarusAnd All That BreathesDeadline may reveal.
The deal closed very recently but Rise had been on Newen’s radar for a while, according to the TF1-backed studio’s Director of International Philippe Levasseur, and the acquisition of an undisclosed majority stake brings the number of UK labels Newen has an interest in to 10.
Deadline understands several buyers were interested in acquiring Rise, which has grown over 16 years to become one of the UK’s most respected premium documentary makers.
The firm was behind Netflix’s IcarusThe Oscar for 2018 was awarded to the Oscar-nominee about doping scandals within sport. The Invisible War HBO Max’sGeorge Carlin’s American DreamJudd apatow and environmental pic All That Breatheswhich became the first film to win the the Sundance Grand Jury Prize and Cannes L’Œil d’or and has since been acquired in a global deal by HBO and HBO Max.
Rise is also expanding into drama. Rise has developed a scripted series for the BBC on Rupert Murdoch’s UK tabloid scandal. Rise also owns comedy sub-label Rise Comedy. Plebsexec Sam Leifer. The label will continue to operate as an independent entity.
Levasseur appreciated the outfit’s inclusion in a “small community” of premium European high-end doc producers and praised Leifer’s entrepreneurial approach to filmmaking, singling out All That Breathes.
“They took a risk on a topic, the environment, that’s been covered hundreds of times that broadcasters say is not attractive,”He concluded. “Rise didn’t have a client when they started shooting but were confident in the story and the team. This model is risky but very inspiring.”
Leifer described his experience as being part of the Newen Group. “easy decision.”
“We’re excited to be working with their talented team as we build together,”He concluded. “I’m so grateful to my wonderful colleagues at Rise for their hard work and creativity. It’s a privilege to work alongside them”.
Rise claimed that all of its permanent staff received direct benefits from the transaction.
Newen is keen for its wealth of European production companies to link up and Rise is already working on a development project with Newen’s Danish label Real Lava, the company run by Oscar-nominated The Cave producer Sigrid Dyekjaer, which launched late last year.
Levasseur stressed that there was a lot of non-English language content. “English is still the main global content language in other markets,”It comes just a week following Deadline’s announcement that Newen Connect had signed its very first North American and UK sales rep.
The acquisition will also help connect Newen with the UK’s diverse talent base, added Levasseur.
“We highly value diversity and streamers are applying pressure on us to make diverse shows. While we struggle in mainland Europe to attract diverse talent, the UK helps in this regard,”He explained.
The Fall exec Gub Neal’s Newen-backed Ringside Studios is targeting “the best LGBTQ+ and diverse talent,”Ringside owns a minority share in Joi Productions, a British queer-led indie run by Levasseur. Blue Storyexec Joy Gharoro-Akpojoto. Gharoroo-Akpojoto currently produces BBC drama Champion,while Neal’s Ringside is behind high-end Apple TV+ French thriller Liaison Starring Eva Green and Vincent Cassel
Next up for Newen are the periods of “soft integration”Rise, but Levasseur stated that the firm is “always interested in new [acquisition] opportunities”Is thinking about the natural-history space.
“Natural history is a very interesting market that is sustainable and family friendly, but has lots of barriers to entry,”He concluded. “We’re interested in companies in that genre and will be pragmatic but there is still a lot to do with all these talented producers who have joined us recently.”
Rise was advised on this deal by Wiggin & Hasham Kan of ABP Advisory.