“Britannia”
International studio Federation has inked a deal to take a majority stake in Vertigo Films, an independent TV and film company whose credits include smash-hit TV shows “Britannia” and “Bulletproof,” box office number ones “StreedDance 3D” and “The Sweeney,” and award-winning film such as “Monsters” and “Bronson.”
Federation is a production and distribution company that heralds a new breed of independent European studios. Working with platforms and major actors in the market, Federation is behind several major international productions like “The Bureau,” “Around the World in 80 Days,” and teen drama “Find Me in Paris.”
The acquisition follows an exceptionally busy year for Vertigo, which is currently in post-production on new comedy-drama series “Mammals,” by Jez Butterworth starring James Corden and Sally Hawkins for Amazon; forthcoming 80s set gangster epic “A Town Called Malice” by Nick Love for Sky Max; and has just wrapped principal photography on a new star-studded film, with further details to be announced at a later date. Specializing in film and high-end drama production for the global market, London-based Vertigo Films was founded in 2002 by executive producers Allan Niblo and James Richardson, and grew into one of the most successful independent film production and distribution companies in the UK.
“Vertigo Films has been a reliable name in film for 20 years producing quality and commercially successful films, and we are thrilled with the company’s success in the last few years through the expansion of our television division. Bringing the boldest ideas from extraordinary talents to life is in our DNA, and to now have such a prolific partner in Federation is an opportunity to expand and drive our ambitious slate at full speed,” said Vertigo Film’s Executive Producers and Co-Founders, James Richardson and Allan Niblo, and Jane Moore, CEO of Vertigo, in a joint statement.
“Producing film and TV for the global market is at the heart of all that we do, and as we searched for an international sales partner, we wanted to find a company that shared our independent, rebellious, and ambitious spirit – and finding that in Pascal Breton, Lionel Uzan and our friends at Federation is gold dust. Their unwavering support has been a dream come true and we’re excited to enter this new era together, launching these new plans for our future in the year of Vertigo’s 20th Anniversary,” they added.
“Vertigo is one of the first and only British production companies to have brilliantly succeeded in reinventing itself to adapt to the highly competitive theatrical market and then to drama series with strong international potential. Along with Lionel Uzan, we have been talking to James and Allan for many years, which is why we are very happy to finally welcome them into the large family of Federation producers. Vertigo’s expertise in pre-financing and international distribution, paired with that of Federation in London, Los Angeles and Paris, should enable both Federation and Vertigo to jointly offer even more ambitious series and films to the British and global market and international platforms, and these productions will be better funded by attracting top creators, producers and independent projects,” added Pascal Breton, President of Federation.