Banijay UK announced a strategic partnership with scripted production company Popcorn Storm Pictures, led by Tom Harper and Negeen Yazdi.
Founded by leading director Tom Harper ("Wild Rose," "War & Peace," "Peaky Blinders") in 2018, the company’s credits include "The Aeronauts" (2019) starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones for Amazon Studios and Golden Globe nominated "A Gentleman in Moscow" (2023) starring Ewan McGregor for Paramount+.
The deal will see Tom and Negeen develop premium scripted content with Banijay UK and its labels. With over two decades in the industry, Tom and Negeen have built on their own 20-year friendship to develop extensive relationships with leading writers and actors, frequently collaborating with the best of British talent. Marrying talent and IP from the ground up to tell bold and engaging stories from a British perspective for global audiences is central to their ethos.
After their acclaimed creation of the 2016 "War & Peace" miniseries for BBC, Tom and Negeen’s long-running collaboration culminated in 2024, when Negeen joined Popcorn Storm as partner. Tom and Negeen have already built a robust slate at Popcorn Storm that includes projects in development with the BBC, Peacock, Netflix and Amazon. With access to Banijay UK’s ‘Scripted Hub’, a network of support including business affairs, finance and production management, and the ability to co-produce with Banijay UK’s scripted labels, the partnership will provide both strategic and practical support to enable Tom and Negeen to take the business to the next level. The deal also includes a first look distribution agreement with Banijay Rights.
Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said: “Tom and Negeen are formidable talents. I have had the pleasure of working with Tom on the upcoming Peaky Blinders film and he is a visionary director and he has a terrific partner in crime in Negeen. I’m thrilled they have chosen Banijay UK as their production partners and I’m confident that together we can supercharge their compelling creative vision.”
Tom Harper and Negeen Yazdi added: “We are delighted to find a home for Popcorn Storm at Banijay UK. Patrick and the team represent the best of British production: a powerhouse of media and entertainment, and a hub of like-minded individuals. Banijay truly understand the ethos of Popcorn Storm and share our ambition to bring powerful stories to a global audience in this exciting new chapter.”
Popcorn Storm is a director-led and talent-focused production company founded by Tom in 2018 and which Negeen joined as Partner in 2024 to lead the company’s Film and TV development slate.
Tom has directed a range of seminal British TV dramas and has established himself as a leading figure in UK cinema. Television credits include "This is England ‘86" (2010), "Peaky Blinders" (2013), "War & Peace" (2016), which earned six BAFTA nominations, "Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams" (2017), and "The Son" (2017). Following his debut feature with frequent collaborator Jack Thorne, "The Scouting Book for Boys" (2009), Tom’s film credits include the 10-time BIFA-nominated "Wild Rose" (2018), "The Aeronauts" (2019), which premiered as Amazon Prime’s most-watched film of all time, and Netflix hit "Heart of Stone" (2019). Tom is currently in post-production on "Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man," starring Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson, and Tim Roth.
Negeen is a leading producer in film and television, after starting her career as an agent at Independent Talent Group. Before joining Popcorn Storm, Negeen was SVP of Film Development & Production at Fifth Season, during which time she oversaw the development and production of high-profile feature films including Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Academy Award nominee "The Lost Daughter" (2021), and the critically celebrated "Flora and Son" (2023). Previously she was President of International Production at The Weinstein Company and Director of Worldwide Acquisitions at Universal. Negeen’s credits also include Academy Award winner "The Imitation Game" (2014, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley), "Lion" (2016, starring Dev Patel), and "Woman in Gold" (2015, starring Helen Mirren).
Banijay UK is part of Banijay Entertainment, the leading European studio for scripted, launching on average more than 110 scripted titles each year.
The deal was negotiated for Popcorn Storm by Josh Varney at 42, UTA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole and Jacqueline Moreton for BUK.