Mars Films 30% stake acquired by Vivendi
Vivendi and CANAL+ are stepping up their role as a major player in the financing and development of the French and international movie industry, in which it already invests close to EUR 800m a year.
Vivendi will take a 30% stake in Mars Films, a French leader in the production and distribution of motion pictures.
Stephane Celerier, chairman of Mars Films, is also appointed vice chairman of STUDIOCANAL. He will head a monthly development committee with film opinion leaders.
Jean-Christophe Thiery, chairman of the CANAL+ Group Management Board, stated: "We are delighted to partner with Mars Films, which will make a great addition to the Group’s already strong movie operations. CANAL+ is the number one support of the French movie industry, and STUDIOCANAL is a major player in Europe. This operation is part of our plan to aggressively invest in content, particularly movies that are more than ever at the core of our strategy. "
Maxime Saada, CEO of the CANAL+ Group, stated: "CANAL+ and STUDIOCANAL welcome the opportunity to combine their already widely recognized know-how in movies with the experience and expertise of Stéphane Célérier. Under his leadership, Mars has become a key distributor of some of the greatest names in cinema, including Woody Allen, as well as critically acclaimed and popular movies (such as Polisse, Des Hommes et des dieux, 12 Years a Slave and Potiche). Mars recently and successfully launched into production with La Famille Bélier. Having him among us will be a real asset. "