Berlin 2013: DreamWorks Studios Ramps Up International Ties

DreamWorks Studios has inked 10 key partnership deals with independent distribution companies across Europe through the studio’s existing collaboration with David Garrett’s Mister Smith Entertainment.

our editor recommends

Cannes 2012: Constantin Sets Market Marker With Mister Smith

DreamWorks Studios Lines Up More Foreign Partners

Garrett’s sales and finance banner, a joint venture with Germany’s Constantin Film, reps the studio’s movie output across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

DreamWorks has sealed multiyear output agreements to distribute the company's films in all media with territories including Italy (Andrea Leone Film) and Spain via a joint venture between Tri Pictures and DeaPlaneta.

The other eight deals struck are with Acme in the Baltics, Blitz for Croatia/Slovenia/Serbia, Odeon in Greece, Sam Film in Iceland, United King in Israel, Monolith in Poland, Lusomundo in Portugal and Fida Film in Turkey.

"On behalf of Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider, we are delighted to now have in place our remaining key international distribution partners," DreamWorks president and COO Jeff Small said. "We look forward to working with these premier companies as we expand the global reach of our films in the marketplace. Our thanks to David Garrett and his team at Mister Smith Entertainment, who continue to be a key partner."

The deals comes as part of the studio’s strategy to create a network of partnerships for its product internationally with a view to additional financial flexibility and capitalizing on the expanding global market.

In the fall, DreamWorks previously announced partnerships with Constantin Film, Entertainment One (eOne), Nordisk Film and Italia Film.

DreamWorks’ domestic distributor, The Walt Disney Co., will continue to handle North America, Latin America, Asia, Russia and Australia.

Reliance continues to finance production of DreamWorks’ films and hold distribution rights in India.

Garrett, whose Mister Smith is one of the high-profile sales companies attending the European Film Market in Berlin this week, described the deals as “a true affirmation to the Olympian status of DreamWorks Studios that they have been able to secure partnerships with the cream of the independents across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”

Added Garrett: “Every single one of these partners are leaders in their field, and this is reflected in their undoubted professionalism and their shared passion for movies. These strategic partnerships create an outstanding network of distribution for the upcoming DreamWorks Studios slate.”

Upcoming features under the DreamWorks deal with Mister Smith include Delivery Man, starring Vince Vaughn and Chris Pratt and written and directed by Ken Scott.

Also slated is the WikiLeaks drama The Fifth Estate, directed by Bill Condon and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Bruhl and Laura Linney, and Scott Waugh’s Need for Speed, which starts shooting in April.