Beta Cinema continues to solidify its standing in the global film market with two major announcements this October. Ahead of the American Film Market (AFM), the company confirmed its acquisition of “I Is Another,” a provocative new feature by Felix Randau, and revealed a fresh slate of international distribution deals for “Amrum” by acclaimed filmmaker Fatih Akin.
Directed and written by Felix Randau (“Iceman”), “I Is Another” stars Claes Bang (“The Square,” “Bad Sisters”) and Valerie Pachner (“A Hidden Life,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore”) in a gripping psychological drama set in postwar Europe. The story follows journalist Hedda and her husband as they confront Felix Kersten, Heinrich Himmler’s former massage therapist, whose contested past raises questions about truth, guilt, and mythmaking in the shadow of the Holocaust.
Shot across Leipzig, Weimar, and Vienna, the film wrapped principal photography in early September. Produced by ostlicht filmproduktion and WEGA Film, “I Is Another” is supported by multiple European film funds, including MDM, ÖFI, and DFFF, alongside broadcasters MDR, BR, and Arte. Beta Cinema plans to present the first footage to buyers at AFM, positioning the film as one of its flagship titles for 2026.
According to Beta Cinema, ‘Felix Randau’s new film explores the blurred lines between truth and self-mythologizing. The story of Himmler’s masseur is as controversial as it is compelling, and Claes Bang brings a powerful presence to this morally complex role.’ The company’s confidence in Randau’s work reflects its ongoing commitment to auteur-driven storytelling with international resonance.
Simultaneously, “Amrum”, directed by Fatih Akin, continues to generate strong momentum ahead of its German release. Following its acclaimed premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the film has secured major distribution deals across the globe, expanding its reach to Australia and New Zealand (Palace Films), India (Big Tree Entertainment), Latin America (Synapse Distribution), Scandinavia (Angel Films), and several European territories.
Earlier this year, deals were also signed for North America (Kino Lorber), France (Dulac Distribution), Spain (A Contracorriente), Japan (Bitters End), and Benelux (Cherry Pickers), among others. The result positions “Amrum” as one of the best-selling German films of 2025, supported by strong market enthusiasm and critical acclaim.
Dirk Schürhoff, Managing Director of Beta Cinema, celebrated the deals: "These deals reflect the film’s universal appeal. The outstanding cast, the emotional and relevant story, and the precise, unique handwriting of one of Germany’s most beloved directors made “Amrum” become one of the bestselling German movies this year," noted.
“Amrum” tells the story of 12-year-old Nanning, who uncovers his family’s secret during the final weeks of World War II on the remote North Sea island of Amrum. Starring Jasper Billerbeck, Laura Tonke, Matthias Schweighöfer, and Diane Kruger, the film blends historical realism with poetic intensity. Produced by bombero international and Warner Bros. Film Productions Germany, it will be released on October 9 in German-speaking territories, with over 20 international rollouts to follow.
Together, “I Is Another” and “Amrum” demonstrate Beta Cinema’s strategic balance between prestige dramas and commercially viable European storytelling. By championing films that merge artistic vision with international accessibility, Beta Cinema continues to build bridges between filmmakers and audiences worldwide — confirming its reputation as one of Europe’s most dynamic and forward-thinking film companies.
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