EXCLUSIVEWe can tell you that international sales veterans Vincent Maraval (and Kim Fox) are changing the name of their foreign sales banner MadRiver International, in honor of the virtual EFM.
Maraval, Fox and Marc Butan launched MadRiver International at AFM 2019 after first creating IMR International in 2016 as an alliance between Butan’s MadRiver Pictures and Maraval’s Wild Bunch International. The Veterans still holds the shares of both companies.
The Veterans, Santa Monica-based, will be operating as a separate company with Fox handling operations. The plan is to continue serving as a sales representative for English-language, middle- and higher-budget films in international theatrical and streaming market.
In addition to Maraval and Fox, the LA and Paris-based team will include sales executives Lesly Gross, Noemie Devide, and Livia Van Der Staay, who will be meeting with buyers under the new banner at the virtual EFM next month. Next week, additional details about the slate will be revealed.
The goal of the rebranding is to make it clear that the sales entity is distinct from any production or finance company. The new logo will be available. “down the line”. Meanwhile, MadRiver will concentrate its activities on film development and production, with a focus on IP acquisition and development.
Maraval explained: “I have worked seamlessly with Kim for the past six years, sharing similar taste, sensibilities and passion for the films we defend. We are excited to continue our partnership with Marc under our new banner which more clearly identifies us as a standalone foreign sales company.”
Kim Fox also commented on the name. “Everyone calls us ‘veterans’ anyway, so we thought we would just make it easier all-around.”
Butan said: “I am enthused to continue to work with Kim and Vincent, who are two of the best in the international film space. Given the myriad changes in the film production, distribution and sales spaces over the last several years, we all felt that separating the companies – but keeping them related – was key to allowing each business to focus on its strengths, while still allowing for partnership on film titles.”
The Veterans’ current slate includes Walter SallesI’m Still Herestarring Mariana Lima; Shadae Lamar Smith’sGive it backwith Tiffany Haddish and Shahadi Wright Joseph; Todd SolondzLove Childwith Rachel Weisz and Colin Farrell; and Jean-François Richet’sThe Planestarring Gerard Butler.
MadRiver has recently produced the Netflix releaseWorthstarring Michael Keaton; the upcoming Focus Features picArmageddon Timewith Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong; and the aforementionedPlaneLionsgate will release the movie “The Lionsgate Movie” in North America.
Wild Bunch International remains a unique sales organization focusing on international arthouse titles. Recently, the company signed a deal with Bac Films to represent international sales and launched Wild West last year.