Metropolitan Filmexport
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film distribution |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Samuel Hadida, Victor Hadida, David Hadida |
| Headquarters | France |
Area served | France, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Spain, Benelux |
| Products | Film distribution, video-on-demand services |
| Website | www |
Metropolitan Filmexport is a film distribution firm based in France, established in 1978 by the Hadida family—brothers Samuel and Victor, together with their father David. The company operates within the French market and maintains partnerships with Lionsgate Canada for distribution across Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Spain, and the Benelux region. Additionally, it collaborates globally with FilmNation Entertainment.
History
Among its branches, Seven Sept is responsible for distributing videos to retail outlets and managing online sales of DVD and Blu-ray formats, while HK Video focuses on Asian film content.
In the realm of video-on-demand services, Metropolitan Filmexport oversees the UniversCiné platform as well as its proprietary "Cinema(s) on Demand" service, which is available through major internet service providers and online channels.
The company distributes motion pictures from producers including Dino De Laurentiis Company, Turner Entertainment Co., Hammer Films, Lionsgate, and previously handled releases from the New Line Cinema label prior to its full merger into Warner Bros..
Metropolitan Filmexport is recognized for distributing titles primarily in the action, fantasy, and thriller genres. It has also been involved in co-producing or distributing notable critically acclaimed films such as Border, awarded the Un Certain Regard prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, and Green Book, which received three Academy Awards including Best Picture in 2019.
Distribution
At present, Metropolitan Filmexport maintains distribution agreements with the following companies:
Current distribution agreements
- STX Entertainment
- A24
- Lionsgate Films
- Annapurna Pictures
- Lantern Entertainment
- Amblin Partners
- Beacon Pictures
- Bleecker Street
- Davis Films
- Intermedia
- Millennium Media
- Open Road Films (previously Global Road Entertainment from 2017 to 2019)
Past distribution agreements
- New Line Cinema – Warner Bros. took over direct distribution responsibilities in 2009.
- Relativity Media/Rogue Pictures – Declared bankruptcy as a mini-major studio in 2015.
- DreamWorks – Distribution ended in 2005; reestablished under Amblin Partners in 2015.
- Broad Green Pictures – Ceased production activities in 2017 and fully closed operations by 2018.
- CBS Films – Lionsgate assumed distribution duties starting in 2015.
- United International Pictures (Paramount Pictures/Universal Pictures/Focus Features) – Discontinued French distribution in 2007 to optimize international strategies; Paramount and Universal now distribute independently within France.
- Fine Line Features/Picturehouse – New Line Cinema subsidiaries that were shut down between 2005 and 2008.
- The Weinstein Co. – Affected by the Harvey Weinstein sexual misconduct scandal.
- 20th Century Fox/Fox Searchlight Pictures – Established UGC Fox Distribution joint venture with UGC in 1995; partnership ended after ten years.
- Sony (Columbia Pictures/TriStar Pictures/Screen Gems/Stage 6 Films/Triumph Films/Destination Films) – Collaborated with Gaumont Film Company for French market distribution through Gaumont Columbia Tristar Films from 2004 to 2007.
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists/Orion Pictures
Films
External links
| Year | Title | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Mortal Kombat | Distributed exclusively in France; New Line Cinema and Threshold Entertainment involved | |
| 1997 | Mortal Kombat Annihilation | French market only distribution; collaboration with New Line Cinema and Threshold Entertainment | |
| Cube | Restricted to French distribution; produced by Cube Libre | ||
| 1998 | Blade | Distribution limited to France; production by New Line Cinema, Marvel Enterprises, Amen Ra Films, Imaginary Forces | |
| 2001 | Brotherhood of the Wolf | ||
| The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | Distributed solely in France; WingNut Films and New Line Cinema production | ||
| 2002 | Resident Evil | French-only distribution; Constantin Film and New Legacy Film involved | |
| Break of Dawn | |||
| Blade II | Distribution confined to France; produced by New Line Cinema, Marvel Enterprises, Amen Ra Films | ||
| Cube 2: Hypercube | Exclusively distributed in France | ||
| SWEAT | |||
| Jason X | French market distribution only; Crystal Lake Entertainment production | ||
| The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | Distribution limited to France; WingNut Films and New Line Cinema productions | ||
| 2003 | Freddy vs. Jason | Distributed only in France; joint production by New Line Cinema and Crystal Lake Entertainment | |
| The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | French-exclusive distribution; WingNut Films and New Line Cinema collaboration | ||
| The Texas Chainsaw Massacre | Distribution restricted to France; produced by Next Entertainment, Platinum Dunes, Radar Pictures | ||
| 2004 | Cube Zero | Distribution limited to French territory | |
| Resident Evil: Apocalypse | Exclusive French distribution; produced by Constantin Film, Davis Films, Impact Pictures, Screen Gems | ||
| Blade: Trinity | Distributed solely in France; production by New Line Cinema, Marvel Enterprises, Amen Ra Films, Imaginary Forces, Shawn Danielle Productions Ltd. | ||
| 2005 | Domino | French-only distribution; Scott Free Productions, Davis Films, Summit Entertainment involved | |
| 2006 | Silent Hill | Distribution confined to France; Silent Hill DCP Inc., Davis Films, Konami production partners | |
| The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning | Exclusively distributed in France; Next Entertainment and Platinum Dunes involved | ||
| 2007 | Resident Evil: Extinction | French-only distribution; Screen Gems, Constantin Film, Davis Films, Impact Pictures collaboration | |
| 2010 | Resident Evil: Afterlife | Distribution restricted to France; produced by Constantin Film, Davis Films, Impact Pictures | |
| 2012 | The Hunger Games | Distributed exclusively in France; Color Force involved | |
| Resident Evil: Retribution | French market only distribution; Constantin Film, Davis Films, Impact Pictures production | ||
| Silent Hill: Revelation | Distribution limited to France; Silent Hill 2 DCP Inc., Davis Films, Konami collaboration | ||
| 2013 | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | Exclusively distributed in France; Lionsgate and Color Force partnership | |
| Texas Chainsaw 3D | Restricted to French distribution; Millennium Films and Main Line Pictures producers | ||
| 2014 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 | Distribution confined to France; Lionsgate and Color Force involved | |
| 2015 | The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 | French-exclusive distribution; Lionsgate and Color Force production | |
| 2017 | Resident Evil: The Final Chapter | Distributed solely within France; Screen Gems, Constantin Film, Davis Films, Impact Pictures collaborators | |
| Leatherface | Distribution limited to the French market; Millennium Films, Campbell Grobman Films, Mainline Pictures involved | ||
| 2018 | Green Book | French-only distribution rights; Participant Media, DreamWorks Pictures, Innisfree Pictures, Cinetic Media producers | |
| 2021 | Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City | Distribution focused on France exclusively; Constantin Film International, Davis Raccoon Films, The Fyzz Facility, The Tea Shop and Film Company involved | |
| 2022 | Crimes of the Future | Distributed only in France; Serendipity Point Films, Telefilm Canada, Ingenious Media, Argonauts Productions, Crave, CBC Films, ERT, Rocket Science productions | |
| Marlowe | Exclusive French distribution; Parallel Films, Hills Productions, Davis Films producers | ||
| Broker | Distribution restricted to France only; Zip Cinema production | ||
| 2023 | Flo | ||
| The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Distributed exclusively in the French market; Color Force involved | ||
| 2024 | Finalement | ||
| Race for Glory: Audi vs. Lancia | Exclusively distributed in France; Recorded Picture Company, Lebowski, HanWay Films producers | ||
| The Substance | Distribution limited to France only; Working Title Films, Blacksmith, A Good Story collaborators | ||
| 2025 | The Ice Tower |