Banijay UK is investing in Rabbit Observe Photos, the London primarily based TV & Movie manufacturing firm co-founded by movie, TV and stage actor James Norton and scripted govt Kitty Kaletsky.
Rabbit Observe Photos launched in 2019 and has a slate that features main scripted initiatives inexperienced lit for the BBC and for ITVX, alongside developments throughout movie and TV. Its first movie, Rogue Agent, a thriller for Netflix starring Norton, was launched in 2022.
By taking a stake within the enterprise, through the Banijay UK Progress Fund, Banijay UK will allow Rabbit Observe Photos to construct its group and speed up its development technique, making certain it could proceed to amass IP.
The deal features a first look with distributor, Banijay Rights.
The funding is a part of the Banijay UK £50m Banijay UK Progress Fund which permits the UK group to companion in excessive profile expertise in addition to investing in new companies, to supercharge development.
Patrick Holland, ceo and govt chair of Banijay UK mentioned; “James and Kitty have a really spectacular slate of initiatives and are extremely bold for the expansion of their enterprise. We’re so delighted that they’ve chosen Banijay UK as their companion; their ardour, dedication, expertise and perception are precisely the qualities we need to spend money on. We will’t wait to start out working collectively.”
James Norton mentioned; “To be becoming a member of the Banijay household is such an thrilling second for us as an organization. Patrick and his group have been extremely welcoming and supportive already, and clearly share mine and Kitty’s values and ambition for the corporate. We will’t wait to leap into the rabbit gap with them and see the place the following step of this journey takes us!”
Kitty Kaletsky added; “When James first referred to as me about working an organization collectively, I used to be nonetheless absolutely residing and dealing in Los Angeles. Little may we’ve got imagined, when kick-starting Rabbit Observe proper earlier than the pandemic, that only a few quick years later, we’d be teaming up with such an enormous and thrilling companion as Banijay. We really feel very fortunate to be a part of this household which can take our success to new ranges and may’t wait to get going with Patrick and the entire group.”
Norton’s current TV initiatives embody Completely happy Valley (BBC/Netflix), McMafia (BBC/AMC), The Trial of Christine Keeler (BBC) and Battle and Peace (BBC). Movie credit embody Greta Gerwig’s Little Girls, Mr Jones directed by Agnieszka Holland, and Paramount’s upcoming Bob Marley biopic directed by Reinaldo Marcus Inexperienced.
Kitty Kaletsky has labored in senior roles at main TV and movie manufacturing firms on either side of the Atlantic together with Archery Photos and Black Bear Photos, having began her profession at Quantity 9 Movies. She lived for 4 years in LA, working Oscar-winning Black Bear’s TV division, and consequently has robust relationships each within the UK and Hollywood. Kitty is Managing Director of Rabbit Observe Photos and is liable for working all inventive and enterprise points of the corporate.
That is the seventh Progress Fund deal to be introduced because it was launched in February 2023. Earlier expertise offers embody a primary look with scripted producer, Chris Sussman and a multi venture take care of Scottish documentary director and producer Kevin Macdonald. The fund has additionally facilitated the acquisition of Mam Tor productions and investments in new scripted firm Conker Photos and North Wales primarily based start-up, Ty’r Ddraig. It has additionally enabled DSP to develop the enterprise launching DSP Movies headed by Graeme McAulay to deal with premium documentaries.
Nice Level helped launch Rabbit Observe, together with fellow founding companion The Growth Partnership, by offering seed funding through its Nice Level Ventures EIS fund. Each Nice Level Media and The Growth Partnership stay shareholders within the firm. Robert Taylor will stay a director at Rabbit Observe Photos.
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