Sandrew Metronome Norge, one of Norway's leading distributors and key players in the local film industry, has been sold by its owner Schibsted Media Group to Oslo Kino AS (Oslo Municipal Screens), the country's largest cinema chain.
As of June 1, Sandrew Metronome Norge will become a subsidiary of Oslo Kino under the name Norsk Filmdistribusjon (Norwegian Film Distribution), which was the company's original name. Sandrew Metronome Norge's current managing director Frida Ohrvik will head the new entity and will bring her entire staff with her. "This is very exciting. We find it both positive and inspiring that Oslo Kino will be our new owners, not at least because film is their core business," said Ohrvik. Asked by nordiskfilmogtvfond.com if she will continue to invest in local films at Norsk Filmdistribusjon, she said: "Yes, definitely. Norwegian films will be our main focus and we'll continue with the same commitment as we do now."
Stine Helgeland, head of Promotion and International Relations at the Norwegian Film Institute commented: "In Norway we have had a "broken chain" between production, distribution and exhibition due to historical circumstances and the municipal ownership of the cinemas. During the last decade we have seen that distributors have ventured into production, but with the exception of SF's seven cinemas in Norway, the vertical integration has not included exhibition. Both Sandrew Metronome and Oslo Kino have shown that they have a real commitment to bringing Norwegian films to the audience, and I hope and believe that this will strengthen the distribution and exhibition of Norwegian films."
With the Warner Bros title in its distribution line up, Sandrew Metronome Norge was the most successful distributor in Norway last year with a 19.72% market share. As of April 1st, the Warner Bros films will be licenced by SF in Norway who will also handle them in Denmark and Finland. This follows Schibsted Media Group's decision to withdraw from film distribution and gradual divestment of the company's operations.
Sandrew Metronome's theatrical operations in Denmark, Finland and Sweden will shut down very soon but the company will keep its DVD activities in those territories.
Upcoming Norwegian films that will be released by Norsk Filmdistribusjon include Joachim Trier's Oslo, 31 August and Jannicke Systad Jacobsen's Turn Me On, Goddammit selected at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival.