Tuesday 27th February – European distributor Newen Connect and Riff Raff Entertainment, the film and television production company co-founded by BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actor Jude Law and his creative partner Ben Jackson, have agreed a partnership – underwritten by global production and financing studio Anton – that will see Newen Connect invest in Riff Raff Entertainment’s TV development projects and gain a first-look option on titles.
Both companies are already working together to develop The Foreign Desk, an original political thriller written by Marek Horn (RIVALS), and with Jude Law attached to star. Together they are also developing an original female-led show based on a true story with Kirstie Swain (PURE, SWEETPEA), the details of which are still under wraps, and an original talent-led TV project with acclaimed playwright Chris Urch.
The deal provides Riff Raff Entertainment with significant funding to help the production company further expand the team, develop its ever-growing slate of TV projects, and provide a distribution network to international buyers. At the same time, the arrangement strengthens Newen Connect’s plans to collaborate with major talent – in addition to Newen Studios producers – and to provide financial support to creatives to help them get their projects into production. It also gives Newen Connect additional access to high-end English language IP, as it seeks to further build its English-speaking catalogue to complement its impressive portfolio of European titles.
The partnership was negotiated between Josephine Fontaine, VP Acquisition & Co-production, and Pia Valentie, Head of Legal for Newen Connect, and Stephen Fuss CEO, for Riff Raff Entertainment.
Rodolphe Buet says: “This partnership with Riff Raff Entertainment marks a significant step forward in Newen Connect’s English speaking growth strategy, building on our existing relationships in the UK, including six production companies, to give us even greater access to high-quality IP that enhances our existing catalogue. Our decision to make this deal happen was driven by the fantastic team we met at Riff Raff including Stephen Fuss, Ben Jackson and Katie Sinclair and of course Jude Law’s strong commitment. Our investment and distribution expertise will offer Riff Raff an important route to market and the ability to quickly take its projects from the page to the screen.”
Stephen Fuss says: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Newen and leveraging their international distribution expertise to expand our television slate. This partnership will help us further our goal of making Riff Raff Entertainment the ultimate home for high-end talent to build their TV projects. We’re thrilled to already be in business on three brilliant TV projects with Newen and are excited to tell even more undeniable stories with their involvement.”
The deal comes off a busy eighteen months for Riff Raff, who have expanded thanks to investment from Calculus Capital. Calculus’ investment has seen the appointment of former Ingenious Media executive Stephen Fuss as CEO, Blueprint Pictures alumnus Katie Sinclair as Head of Development and StudioCanal’s Lionelle Galloppa into the development team. Riff Raff Entertainment shot the THE ORDER last year, starring Law and Nicholas Hoult (THE GREAT) and directed by Justin Kurzel (NITRAM) and written by Zach Baylin (KING RICHARD). Riff Raff Entertainment are re-teaming with Zach Baylin and his writing partner Kate Susman on an original Netflix TV show BLACK RABBIT, currently in pre-production. Announced last year and filming this spring in New York City, the show stars Jude Law and Jason Bateman (OZARK) who will also direct and co-produce under his Aggregate banner.
Alongside its productions, Riff Raff Entertainment has spent the past eighteen months rapidly building an exciting and diverse slate of high-end TV and film projects, driven by a desire to be filmmaker-led and distinctive whilst reaching global audiences. Slate projects include an original romantic comedy film written by Sharon Horgan (BAD SISTERS), a historical-drama film written by Justin Kuritzkes (CHALLENGERS) as well as original TV shows with Jonathan Glatzer (SUCCESSION), Temi Wilkey (SEX EDUCATION) and Seth Sinclair (PENNYWORTH). Many more projects including IP-based adaptations and original, talent-driven ideas will be announced in due course.