Newen Studios extends buying spree with deal for Dai-Dai Films

Romain Bessi

France’s Newen Studios is continuing to expand its production portfolio, this time acquiring Vanessa Djian’s domestic production firm Dai-Dai Films.

Djian launched the prodco in 2017 and has since co-produced French and international projects including Alexis Michalik’s Edmond and play adaptation, Adieu Monsieur Haffman. Financial details have not been disclosed.

Vincent Meslet, MD of Newen Studios France, said the “editorial singularity of Daï-Daï films and the personality of Vanessa Djian” would enable the French group to diversify into new genres, as well as explore adaptations of comics and plays.

Djian added: “I am very happy that Newen Studios Group shares my vision and ambitions through Dai-Dai Films to produce content with strong and popular subjects. Its expertise in financing and international development will allow Dai-Dai Films to pursue a dynamic synergy with talents by providing a rewarding and quality environment.”

TF1 Group-owned Newen Studios, led by Romain Bessi, has been spending widely over the past year, most recently buying Nordic drama production outfit Anagram in October.

The Dai Dai Films deal is the latest expansion for Newen, which has transformed since its acquisition by French broadcaster TF1 Group in 2015, tripling in size through acquisitions such as Spain’s iZen Group and Germany’s Flare Films.

It has also launched Ringside Studio in the UK and secured a further €50m ($56m) investment from financier Anton to secure distribution rights to film and documentary output earlier this year.

TF1 Studio was combined with Newen Studios at the start of 2020 and the company now has a presence in eight countries, with prodcos including Newen France, North America- and UK-based Reel One, De Mensen in Belgium and Tuvalu in the Netherlands.