Newen Studios acquired Rise Films production company

Newen Studios has taken a majority stake in Oscar and Emmy winning production company Rise Films, adding the business to its UK portfolio of Newen Studios production companies. The move is part of Newen Studios’s strategy to pursue premium documentary and furthers its plans for UK expansion.

Founded in 2006 by Teddy Leifer, Rise Films’ award-winning productions include "The Invisible War" (Oscar® nominee and Emmy® winner), "The Interrupters" (Emmy® winner), "Icarus" (Oscar®winner), "Knuckle" (Sundance world premiere), "Dreamcatcher" (Sundance winner), "We Are Together" (Tribeca winner), "Rough Aunties" (Sundance winner), "The Human Factor" (Telluride world premiere), "Mayor" (Peabody winner) and "The Art of Political Murder" (executive produced by George Clooney).

The company is now breaking into factual drama with its first project, "Thank You & Goodbye", about the phone-hacking scandal that rocked Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, a collaboration with the creative team behind BBC and Netflix hit, The Salisbury Poisonings. Rise Comedy, a joint venture with Rise Films, which is run by Plebs creator Sam Leifer, will continue to be operated independently.

Philippe Levasseur, Director of International, Newen Studios Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Teddy Leifer and all the Rise Films team into the Newen Studios’ production’ family. The partnership with these very talented individuals adds another solid brick to the foundations our European Studio. The appetite for documentary is stronger than ever. Teddy is a passionate producer and a team player; his team is a perfect match with our network of premium doc producers: Oscar nominee and Emmy Winner Sigrid Djekjaer (Real Lava), Emmy and Peabody winner Tomas Ocana (Capa Spain), Natalie Humphreys (Storyboard), Aster Reinboud (Docs by Pupkin), the Paris-based Capa team and the feature docs producers of Flare Films (Germany). Rise is also growing in factual drama and we strongly believe in the power of this scripted genre. Furthermore, this partnership strengthens our presence in the UK, where Newen Studios has invested in nine production companies over the past two years.”

Teddy Leifer, CEO of Rise Films, said: “Joining the Newen Studios Group was an easy decision for us and we’re excited to be working with their talented team as we build together. I’m so grateful to my wonderful colleagues at Rise for their hard work and creativity. It’s a privilege to work alongside them”.