Canadian distrib Elevation Pictures has inked a multi-year slate co-financing deal with Sebastien Raynaud’s Europe-based investment outfit Anton Corp.
Under the deal, Anton will partner on Elevation’s acquisition slate of around 20-25 pics per year ranging from elevated commercial films to prestige driven titles, including those from its output deals with Black Bear Pictures, Bleeker Street and Bold Films.
The strategic partnership will give Elevation, which is backed by Teddy Schwartzman’s Black Bear Pictures, the muscle to target opportunities to built its slate, which has so far included titles such as “The Imitation Game” and “Room.” Anton is on board to back releases from the indie disturb such as Garry Marshall’s “Mother’s Day,” Garry Ross’ “Free State of Jones,” John Lee Hancock’s “The Founder,” starring Michael Keaton and Oliver Stone’s “Snowden.”
“This collaboration with the excellent team at Elevation Pictures and Teddy Schwartzman’s Black Bear Pictures marks a new strategic chapter in our expansion plans,” said Raybaud. “We are very proud to be in business with them and look forward to seeing them become an even stronger player in Canada.”
Elevation Pictures co-presidents Laurie May and Noah Segal said: “This collaboration, including some films to be brought by Anton, as well as Canadian co-productions, will elevate our slate to the next level.”
Anton has played a key part in bolstering the strength of international indie distribs in an increasingly turbulent landscape. In 2011, the outfit debuted its pioneering co-financing model in Europe by partnering with Studiocanal for a whopping €150 million ($170.5 million) three-year deal, which helped finance pics such as “Paddington,” “Non-Stop,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” and “Shaun the Sheep.”
To date, Anton has co-financed more than 160 pics. In January 2016, former Studiocanal sales topper Harold Van Lier joined Anton as partner.
