UK Film Industry Rocked as True Brit Entertainment Collapses Amid 'Challenging Market'
U.K. film distributor True Brit Entertainment, founded by Zygi Kamasa, has filed for administration amidst challenging market conditions, becoming the latest casualty in the industry. Despite critically-acclaimed releases and initial successes, many of its films struggled at the box office, highlighting difficulties for independent cinema in the U.K. The fate of its upcoming releases, including "In the Shadows" and "Victorian Psycho," is now unknown.
True Brit Entertainment, the U.K. theatrical distributor launched less than three years ago, has officially filed for administration, a British legal process akin to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States. This development marks the latest casualty in the U.K.'s intensely challenging film distribution market. Founded by Zygi Kamasa, former CEO of Lionsgate U.K. & Europe and Marv Studios Group, the company struggled to achieve box office success despite releasing critically-acclaimed titles.
In a statement provided to Variety, Kamasa acknowledged the difficult decision, stating, “In extremely challenging market conditions, the company has taken the difficult decision to enter administration. An independent specialist has now been appointed to oversee the company and assess the options available, with the aim of achieving the best possible outcome for the company and its creditors.”
True Brit Entertainment was first announced in November 2023 with a clear mandate to focus exclusively on U.K. films for theatrical release. Its stated aim was to invest in and release between four to eight titles annually, alongside co-financing over $50 million worth of productions each year. The venture was backed by funding primarily from talent management and entertainment firm Three Six Zero, which represents artists like Calvin Harris and FKA Twigs, with a minority investment also coming from Matthew Vaughn’s Marv.
The company's inaugural release was “The Critic,” starring Ian McKellen and Gemma Arterton, which True Brit acquired from Toronto in 2023 and distributed in U.K. cinemas the following year. This was followed by the Danny Dyer comedy “Marching Powder,” which garnered notable success, grossing more than $4 million across the U.K. and Ireland. However, subsequent releases faced significant struggles.
Among the films that struggled were Gurinder Chadha’s musical comedy-drama “Christmas Karma” and the boxing drama “Giant,” both of which True Brit co-produced. "The Death of Robin Hood," starring Hugh Jackman, also underperformed, earning less than $800,000. The most recent release, the Bella Ramsey-led coming-of-age comedy-drama “Sunny Dancer,” also failed to gain traction despite a robust promotional campaign and positive buzz from its world premiere in Berlin. These results collectively underscored the ongoing difficulties faced by independent film in the U.K. market.
The future of True Brit Entertainment's upcoming titles remains uncertain. These include Anthony Wonke’s boxing biopic “In the Shadows,” slated for a world premiere later this month at the BFI London Film Festival, and the Maika Monroe-starring psychological horror comedy “Victorian Psycho,” which premiered in Cannes. The news of True Brit entering administration was initially reported by Variety's sister publication, Deadline.