Logical Pictures Launches Africa Venture, Creates Investment Fund to Spur Fast-Growing Market (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Christopher Vourlias Logical Pictures is launching a new Africa venture that will see the production, financing and distribution outfit expand its global footprint into the fast-growing African market.

According to the group’s head, Frédéric Fiore, the move will help position Logical Pictures as the preferred financing partner on the continent for the international industry and the leading production company of African content with global ambitions. “Logical Pictures has now established in Europe a uniquely positioned group that can finance, distribute and produce content internationally with outstanding talents,” said Fiore. “With Logical Pictures Africa, we want to emulate a similar ecosystem in one of the most creative places in the world, dovetailing our approach to the specificities of each part of the world.” Launched in 2016, the Logical Pictures Group has become a leading player in film and TV equity, producing, financing and distributing a range of content in France and internationally through key investments in film banners such as Pulsar Content and the Jokers Films.

Across its various holdings, the group has 11 films at this year’s Cannes Festival, including a trio of Palme d’Or contenders: Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez,” Kirill Serebrennikov’s “Limonov, the Ballad” and Paolo Sorrentino’s “Parthenope.” The new venture will be run by Fiore, production and sales vet Pape Boye, veteran producer Sarah Aknine, Logical Content Ventures managing director Louis Ladreyt and head of development and acquisitions Nicola Ofoego.

Central to the group’s Africa strategy is the creation of a new financing vehicle, the Logical African Stories fund, which will focus on investment in content, production and distribution.