Benski, the former Chief Executive of Pulse Films, has launched media and investment platform group Lumina, based in London, New York, Paris and Los Angeles.
Lumina describes itself as “a well-capitalised talent and IP-led media group and venture firm uniquely built to support and grow companies in the modern media and consumer landscape where talent, IP and brand are the multipliers.”
It is backed by a first round of funding in the mid-eight figures from investors including Magnus Rausing’s BFK, Charles Dorfman’s Dorfman Media Holdings and SVS Holdings.
The company is organised into four verticals - talent driven studios; production; kids & family; and consumer.
Lumina has already partnered with talent like Omar Sy and Louis Leterrier for the new European studio Carrousel Studios led by CEO Cecile Gaget, and Top Boy director Yann Demange’s Wayward Films.
Lumina has also launched a new multi-disciplinary film studio, Magna Studios, led by former Pulse Films executives Marisa Clifford and Davud Karbassioun which has projects in production across branded, documentaries and scripted.
In the kids and family vertical, it has backed gaming studio Creators Corp as well as kids IP business Strike.
It has also invested in consumer brands like Metier, DAACI and just closed an investment in an active wear brand soon to be announced.
Benski exited Pulse in 2021 with credits including Gangs of London (Sky/AMC), Beastie Boys Story (Apple), PIG (Neon), The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann (Netflix) and Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now (Netflix).
Benski said: “With content at the heart of everything today, I strongly believe talent, brands and IP are the multipliers. Our thesis is that there is a big opportunity to decouple the IP creation process by building studios and production companies around major talent. This will help them own more of their work and build long lasting companies that remove unnecessary and expensive layers in the process of creating IP. With capital and strategic input we believe in the decentralised United Artist model for today.”
BBC flags AI and technology priorities in annual plan
The BBC has published its Annual Plan setting out its priorities for the next 12 months, including in areas like artificial intelligence and technology.
US judge temporarily blocks firing of Voice of America staff
A US federal judge has ordered President Trump's administration to temporarily pause its efforts to shut down international news service Voice of America.
ScreenSkills calls for more focus on mid-level professionals
Training organisation ScreenSkills says there is an urgent need to support mid-level crew in high-end television as freelancers face growing instability, financial pressures mount and hiring patterns shift across the industry.
Jennifer Salke steps down as Head of Amazon MGM Studios
Jennifer Salke, the Head of Amazon MGM Studios, is stepping down from her role.
Sky says 2,000 jobs at risk at call centre sites
Sky has announced that 2,000 jobs at its call centres are at risk as part of plans to move more of its customer service online.
.jpg)
