Based mostly in 2012, Paris-based WTFilms, run by Gregory Chambet and Dimitri Stephanides, has constructed a robust standing as a product sales agent for break-out fashion pics and has not too way back diversified into manufacturing, to entry hit initiatives. As rivals ramps up for further formidable initiatives with strong theatrical potential, Chambet decided to maneuver to Los Angeles in mid-2023, whereas Stephanides stays primarily based in Paris.
“At WTFilms, we purpose to proceed to work on both sides of the Atlantic,” explains Chambet. “Inside the current market it’s very important to spend cash on initiatives by proficient directors, with fashionable concepts, budgeted above $5 million. It’s wise for me to be primarily based proper right here because of we work a lot with companions proper right here and L.A. is a key experience hub. We’re searching for experience from throughout the globe. There are literally thrilling fashion directors popping up all over – in North America and likewise in Latin America and Asia. Being proper right here affords me quite a bit higher entry to experience and companions.”
In partnership with Charades, WTFilms is repping Sébastien Vaniček’s $4 million spider invasion horror pic “Vermin” (retitled “Infested” for the U.S. market) that was launched in France by Tandem on Dec. 27 and clocked up 100,000 admissions in its first week.
“’Vermin’ is doubtless one of many largest successes for a French fashion movie recently,” says Chambet. “We’ve obtained moreover generated good worldwide product sales on the pic, with our affiliate Charades.”
In Los Angeles, Chambet is prepping Jennifer Reeder’s subsequent film, after having produced her earlier pic, “Perpetrator,” which premiered in Berlin, and was launched inside the U.S. inside the second half of 2023 by Shudder.
Shudder, the U.S. streamer for horror, thriller and supernatural fiction titles, owned and operated by AMC, is a key affiliate.
Being primarily based in Los Angeles moreover provides Chambet with entry to the colorful eco-system associated to fashion cinema. “In L.A. you’ve gotten all these cool theaters the place fashion film buffs flock to see these movement photos, paying homage to The New Beverly, or the Vista Theatre, or Vidiots – all these very thrilling places the place various creatives attend and present their movement photos, with Q&A durations. Screenings happen frequently in L.A., with many producers and directors. So it’s very thrilling to be proper right here.”
By means of European initiatives, WTFilms not too way back produced Xavier Gens’ thriller “Mayhem” (launched as “Farang” in France), which was co-financed and repped by Studiocanal, and was launched inside the U.S. by IFC in early January. The pic beloved a robust theatrical launch in France in 2023 with 170,000 admissions.
WTFilms is presenting an formidable slate on the 2024 Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Paris along with “Vermin,” “Mayhem” and Frédéric Jardin’s post-apocalyptic thriller “Survive.” The latter beloved strong product sales at AFM and is produced by “Revenge” producers M.E.S Productions and Monkey Pack Motion pictures (part of Federation’s Robin&Co). WTFilms is co-repping the mission with Ginger & Fed, a partnership between Federation Studios and Sabine Chelamy’s Ginger Motion pictures.
“These initiatives replicate our broader method to affiliate with completely different firms, paying homage to Charades or Federation, to get admission to bigger movement photos and share the elevated hazard,” explains Chambet.
The company could be repping “The Soul Eater,” starring Virginie Ledoyen (“Merely the Two of Us”), by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo (“The Deep Residence”), which may premiere at Rotterdam and at France’s fashion film competitors, Gérardmer.
One different title repped by WTFilms, provided on the Unifrance RDV and which may show at Gérardmer, is Saïd Belktibia’s “Hood Witch” that premiered at Sitges and will have its U.S. premiere in South by Southwest in March.
“We’re very excited to work with proficient directors who’ve launched the model new French wave in fashion films and we could be asserting one different major mission in the midst of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous,” explains Chambet.
Completely different market premieres on the Unifrance RDV embody Pierre Mouchet’s debut horror pic “Schlitter,” produced by Sombrero, whose earlier pic, “The Introduction Calendar,” was moreover repped by WTFilms.
Abel Danad’s “Don’t Watch” will even have its market premiere. It’s just a few group of influencers in a house, targeted by a serial killer. “Abel is a extremely thrilling new director,” says Chambet. “He primarily produced and directed the movie. They took precise life influencers to make the movie, and it’s a extremely formidable mission, shot in English, aimed on the worldwide market. It’s part of that vibe of social media slasher movement photos that has been very worthwhile not too way back.”
Chambet targets to proceed engaged on fashion films budgeted between $2 million-$3 million, nevertheless believes that it’s vital to spend cash on higher productions, budgeted above $5 million.
“We’ve obtained a superb system in France and Europe to supply good fashion movement photos that perform properly internationally, paying homage to ‘Mayhem’ or ‘Vermin.’ We moreover want to reinforce {our capability} to spend cash on high-profile English-language productions, which is why having a base in L.A. is so very important,” he concludes.
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