Forged by the merger of two companies, Concorde Film and Universum Film, the distribution powerhouse releases between20 and 25 films a year, including around five in-house productions or co-productions, says Bernhard zu Castell, Leonine Studios’ chief distribution officer.
The first instalment in the “School of Magical Animals” franchise likewise became the most successful film of 2021 . Describing it as “broad family entertainment that was embraced by the German-speaking audience,” zu Castell says it was the first film that really brought audiences back to theaters following the pandemic.
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” had a major impact, zu Castell notes. “The film drew a completely new audience to theaters that craves unconventional storytelling.” Leonine’s other big titles this year include “The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” which opens Nov. 16, and, hitting theaters on Dec. 21, the highly anticipated pop band biopic “Girl You Know It’s True.”
While Leonine got off to a tough start with the advent of the pandemic, the company saw a home entertainment business boom during the period and the division remains strong.