Media entrepreneurs Antoine Disle, Orso Vesperini, Olivier Compere set up new studio

L-R: Antoine Disle, Olivier Compere and Orso Vesperini

Producers and media entrepreneurs Antoine Disle, Orso Vesperini and Olivier Compere have launched Forge Films Company, a new studio focused on science fiction, fantasy and horror across film, TV, gaming and immersive experiences, with international coproduction expert Marc Lorber on board as advisor.

The company has also appointed Léonidas Vesperini as head of gaming and interactive experiences. A game industry veteran, his credits include tabletop adaptations of Conan, Solomon Kane, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege and Darkest Dungeon.

Lorber will work with the team and consult on industry relations. He spent nearly a decade at Lionsgate Television as senior VP of international TV coproductions and acquisitions, overseeing and executive producing coproductions across multiple territories.

Forge’s first project is Lost in Hel, a series that combines Viking mythology, cosmic horror and a clash of civilisations. It is directed by Australian filmmaker Nik Kacevski.

Jessica Ferguson (Cobra City), Troy Honeysett (Class of ’07), Masa Yamaguchi (The Condemned) and newcomer Grace Durrant are attached to star.

At Forge, Disle heads distribution strategy, audience development and the studio’s director community, while Orso Vesperini oversees strategy, governance and IP development as well as the international writers room. Compere is responsible for production strategy, financing and operations.

Forge said its content will be rooted in physical locations, live-action performances and practical filmmaking, with AI used selectively as a “creative tool rather than as a replacement for traditional production.”

Disle, Orso Vesperini and Compere said in a joint statement: “As AI transforms many aspects of the creative industries, we believe distinctive human voices, authentic creative instincts and strong directorial identities will become even more valuable.

“Our mission is to give rising filmmakers the opportunity to build original worlds capable of surprising audiences, with a commercially viable and sustainable model designed to reduce risk and better align the interests of creative talent, industry partners and investors.”