Newen takes a majority stake in production company Flare Film. The Berlin-based company has successfully developed and produced cinema and documentary movies since 2008 and has established its series unit Flare Entertainment in 2020 to strengthen its footprint in the growing series market. Its productions are internationally acclaimed with public and critical success at numerous festivals (Sundance, Berlinale, Locarno) and its first high-scale series Paradiso for Sky has recently wrapped production. Martin Heisler, the founder and owner of Flare Film, will continue to run the group while also retaining a significant stake. The objective of this partnership with Newen is to continue Flare Film’s growth by bringing together new talent, following the successful strategy of Newen in the UK.
This acquisition marks a new step in Newen’s international expansion strategy. The group is now present on the main European markets. Due to its size, the largest in Europe, and its creativity, Germany is a key market for Newen’s development. Its attractiveness has been further reinforced by several recent major international successes of German productions such as Dark, Das Boot, Babylon Berlin, How to sell drugs fast.
Flare Film is a quality production label, both dynamic and in constant growth, still independent in this highly coveted market. Some collaborations are already set up, notably in distribution with Newen Connect. These will be reinforced and complemented by co-productions and IP exchanges, in accordance to the tested and virtuous practices that exist within the Newen Group.
Romain Bessi, Managing Director of Newen: “Newen continues its dynamic strategy of gathering the best European talent with the acquisition of Flare Film. This is an important step for the group, because European ambition necessarily includes the German market, the most important one in Europe. We are looking forward to work with Martin Heisler and his teams, not only because they are talented but also because our common desires and values guarantee great ambitions. We will do everything to support them in creating and enhancing attractive content to viewers all around the world.”
Philippe Levasseur, Head of International of Newen: “Flare Film is the ideal partner for Newen: a very creative team, eager to collaborate beyond its borders, ambitious in various genres. The development of scripted series with Newen started even before the signature of this acquisition because everyone in the group was waiting for this German partner, which is essential for our European deployment.”
Martin Heisler, President and CEO of Flare Film : “The film and TV market has never been as exciting as it is right now and becoming part of the Newen family is an important step for us to play a bigger role in the German market as well as in international co-productions. At the same time, we will remain a trustworthy partner for the creative talents and all our collaborators and will continue to follow our vision: to produce exciting, high-quality and relevant content. We are proud that Newen put its trust in us to achieve these goals. Together we have a lot of plans! »
About Newen
Newen, a subsidiary of the TF1 group, is a major player in audiovisual production and distribution in Europe. The group has a multi-genre catalogue that fits diversified client demands from all around the world. Since 2017, Newen has grown internationally with the acquisition of companies such as Tuvalu and Pupkin (Netherlands), Nimbus (Denmark), De Mensen (Belgium), Reel One (Canada, United States and United Kingdom), Ringside, Fictionhouse, Slate Entertainment, Further South Productions (United Kingdom) and iZen (Spain). With its international distribution arm, Newen Connect, and the integration of TF1 Studio in 2020, the Newen group has a catalog of 6,000 hours and more than 1,000 films.
About Flare Film
Flare Film is an independent German film production company established by Martin Heisler in 2008 dedicated to produce high-quality features, documentaries and – via its subsidy Flare Entertainment – series for the domestic and international market. Founder and shareholder Martin Heisler serves as managing director alongside Maxim Juretzka. Flare Film’s successful titles include the multi-award winning documentaries WALCHENSEE FOREVER by Janna Ji Wonders, BERLIN BOUNCER by David Dietl, VERGISS MEIN NICHT by David Sieveking, as well as the award-winning feature films KIDS RUN by Barbara Ott, ONE OF THESE DAYS by Bastian Günther, LOMO by Julia Langhof) and MORRIS AUS AMERICA by Chat Hartigan. Upcoming productions are the Sky series PARADISO directed by Barbara Albert and David Dietl, RÄUBERHÄNDE by Ilker Catak and NÖ by Dietrich Brüggemann.