Paris-based production and distribution group Federation Studios has hired Marco Chimenz as Co-Managing Director.
Chimenz is co-CEO of Rome-based Cattleya, part of ITV Studios, one of Europe’s leading production companies with credits including ZeroZeroZero, Gomorrah, Suburra and Django. He is a former president of the European Producers Club, an association composed of 200 film and TV producers from all over Europe, and remains an active board member.
Chimenz will work with Pascal Breton, founder and CEO of Federation, alongside Co-Managing Director Lionel Uzan.
Chimenz will be joined by his long-time collaborator Joshua Berman, currently Head of Business and Legal Affairs at Cattleya, as International Business Affairs Advisor at Federation.
Federation recently announced its acquisition of international animation and distribution company GO-N Productions.
Federation now has 35 production companies in its group, including Cottonwood Media, Fabula, Vertigo, Robin &Co, Calt, Bonne Pioche, Empreinte Digitale, Cheyenne Federation and Drama Team. The company has a strong presence in Paris, Los Angeles, Rome, Madrid, London, Berlin, Cologne, Brussels and Tel Aviv.
Breton said: “Our goal remains the same: to attract the best producers, showrunners and directors in the business. Welcoming Marco, one of Europe’s most talented and appreciated producers, can only strengthen Federation’s knowledge and expertise in the areas of pre-financing, co-production and sales of movies and shows. It will also boost our presence worldwide as we continue to build an international studio that works closely with creators around the globe, a feature that makes us so distinct.”
Chimenz said: “I am so enthusiastic about joining Pascal and Lionel, two producers and entrepreneurs that I have known for years and for whom I have the highest esteem as they lead a brilliant group with such a strong international drive. Naturally, having worked with Riccardo Tozzi and Giovanni Stabilini for over half my life, moving on from Cattleya and its formidable team feels like leaving family. I am deeply thankful to all of them for the adventure of a lifetime, as I am to Julian Bellamy, Lisa Perrin, Duncan Walker and the group of great executives at ITV Studios.”
Shinfield Studios’ Nick Smith and Ian Johnson to retire
Shinfield Studios’ joint Managing Directors Nick Smith and Ian Johnson are to retire from their positions at the end of the year.
UK launches copyright consultation for creative industries and AI developers
The UK government has launched a consultation looking at how copyright-protected material can be used to train AI models.
BBC and ITV confirm rights deal for FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030
BBC Sport and ITV have agreed a deal for live coverage of the FIFA World Cups in 2026 and 2030 across TV, audio and digital platforms.
US writers call on Hollywood studios to take action against AI firms
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has called on Hollywood studios to “come off the sidelines” and prevent tech companies from allegedly using its members’ works to train AI platforms.
Arte joins European Broadcasting Union
Arte, the Franco-German public service broadcaster, has become the newest member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).