EXCLUSIVE: Brussels-based, pan-European co-production and financing company Umedia has acquired a 15% stake in Belga Studios, an affiliate of Belgium’s oldest film company Belga Films Group.
Umedia, which is a major player in the European audiovisual sector, overseeing €35M in Tax Shelter funds, and financing and producing around 50 audiovisual projects a year, described the move as “a milestone” in its collaboration with Belga Studios.
It said the partnership would bolster collaboration on features initiated in Belgium, while aiming for international reach, beginning with a quartet of high-profile projects announced by Belga Studios over the past year.
They span The Yellow M, an adaptation of the iconic ‘Blake and Mortimer’ comics series, The Magician of Auschwitz, an English-language feature film by Jaco Van Dormael; The Einstein Enigma, an adaptation of the bestseller by José Rodrigues dos Santos, and the fantasy trilogy The Book with no Name, based on a cult series of books by an anonymous author.
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Umedia said the partnership would be mutually beneficial and was based on natural and clear synergies between the two entities.
The company sees it as an opportunity to expand its involvement in producing while maintaining its key role in co-production with European and Belgian producers, while for Belga Studios, the alliance strengthens their ability to produce high-value projects, both artistically and commercially.
“We are thrilled to partner with Belga Studios and are extremely excited to collaborate on their projects in development. Together, we aim to create works that will leave a lasting impact on the cinematic landscape,” said Bastien Sirodot and Laurent Jacobs, CEOs of Umedia.
“Additionally, starting this partnership with the adaptation of The Yellow M is particularly symbolic for us. As passionate admirers of these iconic heroes, we are honored to help bring this Belgian cultural gem to life.”
Umedia has been involved in more than 650 features and series since its creation in 2004, with recent feature credits including French box office hit The Count Of Monte-Cristo, feature animation Fox & Hare Save the Forest and award-winning UK drama How To Have Sex.
The post Belgium’s Umedia Acquires Minority Stake In Belga Studios In Strategic Alliance Kicking Off With ‘The Yellow M’ Adaptation appeared first on Deadline.
