{"id":134234,"date":"2025-05-20T08:54:54","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T08:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/how-a-french-producer-attracted-storytellers-from-around-the-world\/"},"modified":"2025-05-20T08:54:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T08:54:54","slug":"how-a-french-producer-attracted-storytellers-from-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/how-a-french-producer-attracted-storytellers-from-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"How a French Producer Attracted Storytellers from Around the World"},"content":{"rendered":"

Behind the Scenes of Mediawan: Elisabeth d\u2019Arvieu’s Vision<\/h2>\n
\n

\n **EXCLUSIVE**: When asked about the films that motivate her, Elisabeth d\u2019Arvieu, CEO of Mediawan Pictures, illuminates with enthusiasm. \u201cThe Godfather<\/em>, obviously,\u201d she states, fondly remembering her early experiences with \u201call the Hitchcocks\u201d and Brian De Palma\u2019s initial endeavors. Despite being pressed for time with her schedule, she eagerly lists films, from Parasite<\/em> to Emilia P\u00e9rez<\/em>, which she has indulged in thrice. \u201cI\u2019ve been obsessed with movies since childhood,\u201d d\u2019Arvieu laughs, showcasing her passion for the medium.\n <\/p>\n

\n This fervor reflects what makes Mediawan **magnetic** for some of the most prominent creatives globally, including Brad Pitt\u2019s Plan B and Florian Zeller\u2019s Blue Morning Pictures. Industry insiders admire the **light-touch leadership** of d\u2019Arvieu and CEO Pierre-Antoine Capton, along with the **open, honest creative conversations** they facilitate. Roanna Benn, co-CEO of Drama Republic, noted, \u201cThey are good people in it for the right reasons.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n \"Elisabeth\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>
\n Elisabeth d\u2019Arvieu<\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n Established a decade ago, Mediawan may not be a newcomer, yet it retains its role as a **disruptor** in the industry. The company entered the Cannes Film Festival boasting notable projects: Plan B\u2019s Netflix sensation Adolescence<\/em>, a film that reframed discourse around **male violence**, and the recent acquisition of See-Saw, the British-Australian production house behind Slow Horses<\/em> and The King\u2019s Speech<\/em>.\n <\/p>\n

\n Insiders reveal that Mediawan\u2019s 51% ownership in See-Saw values the company at about \u00a3100 million ($130 million), following a revenue report of \u00a3116 million last year. Joint CEOs Emile Sherman and Iain Canning remark how the current market \u201c**rewards companies** with access to larger producer networks,\u201d expressing an \u201cimmediate creative and cultural affinity\u201d with Mediawan.\n <\/p>\n

\n Thomas Dey, CEO of ACF and broker of the See-Saw deal, highlights the multifaceted nature of the Heartstopper<\/em> producer. With bases in **London and Australia**, an expansive film and TV slate, and a \u201c**treasure trove**\u201d of intellectual property, including The NeverEnding Story<\/em>, which is gearing up for a cinematic comeback, Mediawan is poised for significant growth. \u201cSome buyers came in and almost learned about the setup of See-Saw,\u201d Dey adds.\n <\/p>\n

\n When prompted for her elevator pitch to prospective partners, d\u2019Arvieu embarks on a **10-minute discourse** emphasizing **complete independence**, funding for IP acquisitions, and direct engagement with Mediawan\u2019s leadership. This unique approach includes cash and share options that incentivize production partners, fostering a sense of collaboration. Dede Gardner, co-president of Plan B, remarks, “They\u2019ve been incredibly supportive and true to their commitments. Their primary goal is to allow us to maintain our authenticity.”\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n \"Adolescence\"\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>
\n \u2018Adolescence\u2019<\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n \u201cA couple of years ago, we weren\u2019t the first studio that sellers would consider,\u201d d\u2019Arvieu explains. \u201cAs we’ve strengthened our reputation, many have started reaching out to us organically.\u201d Dey, dealing regularly with major European production groups, notes that Mediawan consistently maintained a **firm yet fair stance** in negotiations. \u201cWe navigated the discussions, and they cut through the complexities with clarity,\u201d he states.\n <\/p>\n

\n Mediawan\u2019s official website articulates its fundamental goal: to \u201ccreate a space where creativity can **thrive**.\u201d However, what embodies commercial success? D\u2019Arvieu stresses that Mediawan does not impose a revenue target like some competitors, a prudent move after seeing the struggles of industry peers. The 2024 merger with German giant Leonine Studios revealed Mediawan\u2019s sales reaching **\u20ac1 billion**, significantly less than **Banijay**, a powerhouse in the industry. D\u2019Arvieu asserts that private equity stakeholders, including KKR, are firmly supportive without seeking an exit after their investment during Mediawan\u2019s de-listing from Paris Euronext in 2020. Yet, some analysts caution that a five-year horizon can often prompt venture capitalists to reconsider their stakes.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cKKR aims to convey that scale brings higher margins,\u201d claims Fran\u00e7ois Godard, a senior analyst at Enders Analysis. \u201cThe M&A landscape is bound to remain active, suggesting Mediawan will continue its growth trajectory.\u201d The company undertook refinancing last year, securing a \u20ac500 million loan alongside a \u20ac225 million revolving credit line, earmarked for future acquisitions. While d\u2019Arvieu indicates that Mediawan will not engage in a **shopping frenzy**, the focus will remain on partners who align with their **artistic vision**.\n <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n \"Bono:\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>
\n Bono poses during the \u2018Bono: Stories of Surrender\u2019 photocall at the Cannes Film Festival<\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n D\u2019Arvieu addressed Deadline on the same day that Cannes announced its 2025 official selection. Mediawan proudly features two titles: Bono: Stories of Surrender<\/em>, Plan B\u2019s Apple TV+ documentary spotlighting the U2 frontman; and Sylvain Chomet\u2019s animation The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol<\/em>. D\u2019Arvieu expresses particular excitement about the latter, stating it resonates with Mediawan\u2019s **cultural essence**, merging an Oscar-nominated director with a celebrated French cultural figure.\n <\/p>\n

\n This article initially appeared in Deadline\u2019s Disruptors\/Cannes. Read the digital edition here.<\/a><\/em><\/strong>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Magazine – 8<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Behind the Scenes of Mediawan: Elisabeth d\u2019Arvieu’s Vision **EXCLUSIVE**: When asked about the films that motivate her, Elisabeth d\u2019Arvieu, CEO of Mediawan Pictures, illuminates with enthusiasm. \u201cThe Godfather, obviously,\u201d she states, fondly remembering her early experiences with \u201call the Hitchcocks\u201d and Brian De Palma\u2019s initial endeavors. Despite being pressed for time with her schedule, she […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":110274,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-134234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mazagine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=134234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134234\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110274"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=134234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=134234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=134234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}