Headed by Peter Levin, (photo) former Managing Director of Bonnier Multimedia, Electronic Arts Nordic and Pan Vision Group, Forestlight Studios is a public listed company quoted on NASDAQ/First North.
Its core business is the production of kids and family animation films, mainly in 3D. The first feature length project set to go into production is Astrid Silverlock and the Staff of Virtues, a $5m-$6m film co-produced with Canada's Bron Studios and UK-based Stealth Media. Other projects are in development such as Book of Secrets by Iain McCaig, concept designer for the Star Wars prequels. "We are interested in owning rights and hope we will make an impact on the domestic market, "said Levin to nordiskfilmogtvfond.
On the arthouse distribution sector, Levin invested SEK2 million into the newly created Tri Art Film against a 30% stake. Nohrborg, the veteran distributor, is running the company with Staffan Wallhem and Bengt Vernberg who together own 25%. The remaining 45% is controlled by digital cinema operator Folkets Hus och Parker. Tri Art Film will focus on established directors, new talents and repertoire films. The first title to come out next month is Norwegian Wood by Vietnamese-French director Tran Anh Hung (Cyclo). Other films set for a spring release are Drei by Tom Tykwer (The Perfume) and Cirkus Columbia by Danis Tanovic (No Man's Land). Tri Art Film will also launch a VoD service in the spring that will act as a social network for film lovers.
On the commercial end of the Swedish market, Forestlight completed on December 20 its full ownership of Noble Entertainment that has been in capital reconstruction for several months. Noble will continue under the same management, with Levin as new CEO. "Over the last five years, Noble has had around 8-10% of the Swedish theatrical/DVD market. We see a real potential for the company to expand and become the third or fourth player in the market," said Levin.
To regain its clout in acquisition, Levin said Noble has re-established its alliance with Nordic distribution partners Mis Label in Denmark, Star Media in Norway and Future Film in Finland. English language films set to open in Sweden in 2011 include Rabbit Hole by John Cameron Mitchell, Trespass by Joel Schumacher and Shanghai by Mikael Håfström. Noble also owns rights to the popular Swedish TV series Solsidan 1 and to HBO's Mad Men.