Beta Film has announced a key leadership change, with Stephan Katzmann set to assume the role of Chief Financial Officer starting in April 2026. Katzmann, currently CFO of Licensing & Distribution at Leonine Group, will succeed Maria Kaltenegger, who is returning to KPMG after six years on Beta’s management board.
Kaltenegger, who served as CFO overseeing Finance & Controlling, Human Resources, and IT, played a vital role in guiding the company through a period of growth and strategic transformation. Her leadership helped strengthen Beta Film’s position as one of Germany’s leading international production and distribution groups.
Jan Mojto, CEO of Beta Film, commented: “I would like to thank Maria Kaltenegger from the bottom of my heart for years of excellent and trusting cooperation, her outstanding expertise and valuable input, also within the company. She has played a significant role in strengthening Beta’s position as a leading world sales and production group in Germany. I very much regret that she is leaving us and wish her all the best.”
Katzmann brings more than two decades of financial leadership in the media industry. At Leonine Group, he was instrumental in integrating the former Tele-München Group and Universum Film. Prior to that, he served as Managing Director Finance at Sport 1 and at Constantin Film Group, holding financial leadership roles in both distribution and production units.
Moritz von Kruedener, Managing Director at Beta Film, stated: “Stephan Katzmann can draw on extensive experience in the financial sector of distribution and production; these are excellent prerequisites for the successful further development of the Group in a production and sales market characterized by consolidation, competition, and pressure to innovate. We are very much looking forward to working together.”
Katzmann expressed his enthusiasm about the new role: “It is wonderful to become a part of the Beta Group, and I am excited to be working with new colleagues. Being able to take on new tasks and goals is a great privilege and a responsibility that I am very happy and passionate about fulfilling.”
The appointment marks a strategic step for Beta Film as it continues to navigate an evolving content landscape marked by global competition, increased consolidation, and innovation demands in both production and distribution.