Studiocanal, a Paris-based production-distribution company, is expanding its reach to New York City. This move comes as the company is in the process of producing “Paddington in Peru” and already has an office in Los Angeles. Anne Chérel has been promoted to the position of Chief Commercial Officer to lead the operations in the new NYC office. The company’s presence in NYC will primarily focus on collaborating with American distribution partners, marking a significant step in Studiocanal’s global expansion strategy.
Studiocanal’s decision to open an office in New York City is part of a broader strategy to seamlessly combine distribution and global sales for all its film projects. The company aims to work closely with third-party distributors to maximize the reach and impact of its films. Notable projects in the pipeline include the third installment of the Paddington franchise in partnership with Sony Pictures, “Back to Black” with Focus Features, “We Live in Time” and “Huntington” with A24, and “Wicked Little Letters” with Sony Pictures Classics. Additionally, the company is in advanced discussions with an American partner regarding “Paris Has Fallen,” showcasing its commitment to international collaborations.
Anne Chérel’s promotion to Chief Commercial Officer signifies a period of executive-level changes at Studiocanal. Dominique Jubin has been appointed as the Head of French Drama at the company’s Canal+ Group counterpart, Ciné+ OCS. Former Netflix France executive Isabelle Pain has joined as the Head of Global Acquisitions & Analytics, while Sara Reese Geffroy has been brought on board as the Senior Vice President of Studiocanal Stories label and TV series development. Chérel, reporting to Canal+ Group Deputy CEO and Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh, will not only oversee the NYC office but also continue to manage global distribution operations.
Since 2020, Anne Chérel has served as the Executive Producer of Global Sales & Distribution at Studiocanal. She has been instrumental in managing the international distribution of key films such as “Autumn and the Black Jaguar,” “Back to Black,” and “Beating Hearts.” Chérel initially joined Canal+ in 2009 before transitioning to the Studiocanal global sales division two years later. Anna Marsh commended Chérel’s deep understanding of the global market and praised her leadership skills in nurturing a talented and dedicated sales team at Studiocanal.
Studiocanal’s expansion to New York City under the leadership of Anne Chérel highlights the company’s commitment to fostering international partnerships and maximizing the global reach of its film projects. With a strong team in place and strategic alliances with American distributors, Studiocanal is poised for further growth and success in the competitive film industry.