Vuelta Group Merges Sales Arms for Enhanced Market Reach

 

European production and sales powerhouse Vuelta Group is streamlining its operations by merging its subsidiary sales divisions, Film Constellation and Global Screen, into a unified entity named Global Constellation.

Leadership and Strategic Focus

 

Fabien Westerhoff will step into the role of Managing Director for the Theatrical film division, leveraging the complementary strengths of both companies. The strategic focus will be on key areas such as animation, family entertainment, and genre cinema. Meanwhile, Ulrike Schroder, the Managing Director of the TV division, will lead the exclusive hub for international TV distribution within Vuelta.

Film Constellation’s Journey

 

Launched during the Cannes Film Festival in 2016 by sales executive Fabien Westerhoff, Film Constellation has made significant strides in the industry. With prior experience at WestEnd Films and HanWay Films, Westerhoff has positioned the company as a key player. In 2022, Film Constellation expanded its footprint by establishing a production arm in Paris.

Notable Sales and Acquisitions

 

Since its inception, Film Constellation has successfully managed the international sales of over 40 feature films, including Dance First by James Marsh featuring Gabriel Byrne, The Shot The Piano Player by Fernando Trueba, and the documentary Ryuichi Sakamoto – Opus. Current titles in their portfolio include Captive by Jérémy Comte and The Captive by Alejandro Amenábar.

Investment and Expansion

 

The launch of Film Constellation was bolstered by an equity investment from Films Distribution, a Paris-based sales company that rebranded as Playtime and broadened its activities into financing and production in 2017. In 2023, Playtime was acquired by Vuelta Group, positioning Film Constellation among three sales entities, including B For Film in Brussels and Films Boutique in Berlin and Lyon, all operating under the Playtime umbrella.

Global Screen’s Role

 

Global Screen, the international sales arm of the German production group Telepool, was acquired by Vuelta Group in May 2024. The company has a rich history of sales, including animated features like The Amazing Maurice and Luis and the Aliens, as well as dramas such as The Collini Case and The Conference.

Vuelta Group’s Expansive Network

 

Vuelta Group is a pan-European studio that integrates a diverse network of distribution and production companies, including Pan in France, SquareOne/Telepool in Germany, WW Entertainment in Benelux, Indiana Production and Piper Film in Italy, Scanbox Entertainment in Scandinavia, and Playtime.