Newen Studios Takes Majority Stake in ‘All That Breathes’ Producer Rise Films – Global Bulletin

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran Newen Studios, the Paris-headquartered production and distribution group, has taken a majority stake in London-based production house, Rise Films, the outfit behind “All That Breathes,” which won the top documentary prizes at Sundance and Cannes this year.

The move is part of Newen’s premium documentary ambitions and U.K. expansion plans.Founded in 2006 by Teddy Leifer, Rise’s credits also include Emmy winners “The Invisible War” and “The Interruptors” and Oscar “Icarus.” The company is debuting in factual drama with “Thank You & Goodbye,” about the phone-hacking scandal that rocked Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, a collaboration with the creative team behind the BBC’s “The Salisbury Poisonings.” Rise Comedy, a joint venture with Rise Films, which is run by Sam Leifer, creator of ITV comedy “Plebs,” will continue to be operated independently.Earlier this year, Newen strengthened its strategic partnership with European producer and financier Anton and is receiving $56 million to co-invest in the distribution rights of audiovisual and film projects.Off The Fence (OTF) has revealed a raft of natural-history programming co-productions. “The Future From Above” (4 x 60′), a co-production between OTF Studios, Sky, EarthxTV and Korea’s Borderless, with funding from Skylife TV and Korean content agency KOCCA, focuses on how the world could look in 2050 if mankind embraces the technology and thinking needed to transform every aspect of lives.