Italian
Vuelta broadens European dominance with WW Entertainment acquisition
Expanding the empire
Vuelta, the ambitious Pan-European indie group, continues its aggressive expansion strategy with the acquisition of WW Entertainment, a major distributor in the Benelux region. This move follows closely on the heels of their recent purchase of Telepool in Germany, solidifying Vuelta’s presence in critical European markets.
WW Entertainment’s impressive portfolio
Headquartered in Amsterdam and Belgium, WW Entertainment has built a robust catalog over the last decade. Originally known as eOne Entertainment Benelux, it has made significant strides in both local and international film markets. Some of their recent hits include the emotional rollercoaster Loverboy: Emoties Uit, the thriller Hit Man, and the adventure-packed Bombini Bangkok Nights.
Strategic significance of Benelux
Acquiring WW Entertainment allows Vuelta to cement its foothold in Benelux, a pivotal area for theatrical distribution encompassing Belgium and the Netherlands. This strategic move not only broadens Vuelta’s distribution network but also paves the way for future expansions.
Synergy and collaboration
This acquisition aligns perfectly with Vuelta’s strategy of fostering synergies across its diverse European distribution network. Vuelta already boasts an impressive array of banners, including Scanbox in Scandinavia, SquareOne/Telepool in Germany, and Pan in France. Particularly noteworthy is Pan’s recent success with the dramedy A Little Something Extra, which outperformed major Hollywood blockbusters to top the French box office, grossing over $86.13 million.
Leadership continuity and enthusiasm
WW Entertainment will continue to operate under the Vuelta umbrella, with founders Wilco Wolfers and Caspar Wenckebach at the helm. Expressing his excitement, Wolfers stated, “I am thrilled to join the Vuelta family and to collaborate with Jerome, David, and the exceptionally professional teams across Europe, who share the same passion and vision as WW Entertainment!”
A word from Vuelta’s leadership
Jerome Levy, Vuelta’s chairman, shared his enthusiasm about the acquisition: “Wilco and his talented team are an exciting addition to Vuelta. We are eager to collaborate on their projects and to leverage the Vuelta infrastructure. Their experience in local films and the synergy with our other divisions will significantly enhance Vuelta’s standing as a leading European studio.”
A year of acquisitions
Vuelta has had an eventful year. Apart from WW Entertainment, the group also recently acquired Telepool, a powerhouse in the German content production and distribution scene, from prominent figures Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook.
Dominating the box office
Currently, Vuelta is leading the box office in both Benelux and Scandinavia with hits like Loverboy: Emoties Uit and Scanbox’s Lee. Scanbox has broken records this year with releases such as Longlegs, Past Lives, When in Rome, and Civil War.
Expanding international sales and financing
Vuelta is also a major player in international sales and film financing through its Paris-based subsidiary, Playtime, and its affiliates, including Films Boutique in Berlin, Be For Films in Brussels, and Film Constellation in London. Films Boutique recently won the Cannes Grand Jury prize with The Seed of the Sacred Fig, while Playtime’s The Quiet Son earned Venice’s Best Actor award for Vincent Lindon. Additionally, When Fall is Coming by François Ozon won Best Screenplay and Best Actor. Playtime’s runaway hit The Marching Band was also a selection in Cannes Premiere.
Big plans for production
By the end of the third quarter, Vuelta Group is set to complete six productions through its labels Indiana in Italy and Pan in France. Notably, Indiana will deliver the TV series Il Gattopardo, ordered by Netflix, by year-end. With plans to ramp up production, Vuelta aims to release more than 20 feature films and TV series over the next year.
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