Nico Hofmann exits UFA and teams with Jan Mojto, Beta Film on new drama

Nico Hofmann, left, and Jan Mojto

Nico Hofmann is stepping down as chairman of Fremantle-owned German prodco UFA at the end of February and has joined forces with industry veteran Jan Mojto and Beta Film to produce German and European series and films for the international market.

The news comes after Hofmann signalled his intent to step down from his position as UFA CEO last September. In future, he will work as an independent producer and “return to his creative roots,” according to UFA.

“For me, today is both a farewell and a long-planned new beginning. A farewell after more than 25 years at UFA and the resumption of my creative, independent work as a producer,” said Hofmann, who will remain associated with UFA and “continue to creatively accompany” selected projects such as the series Kudamm.

He will work with Mojto and Beta producer Jan Wünschmann to produce German and European series and films for the international market. Hofmann and Mojto are already connected by “half a lifetime of producing,” according to the duo.

With drama The Tunnel, Hofmann and Mojto pioneered the ‘TV event’ genre in Germany in the early 2000s. Two dozen collaborative and internationally successful TV and film productions followed, among them hits like Generation War, Dresden, The Tower and The Same Sky.

For Hofmann this co-operation is a logical step: “Jan Mojto and I have been close colleagues and friends for more than 20 years.” And Mojto announced the partnership as an “ideal foundation for many projects to come – stories for Europe from Germany.”

Explaining the thinking behind the move, Wünschmann added: “The current production environment for fictional storytelling is challenging and characterised by rising costs and complex financing structures. I am convinced that with our combined efforts, Nico Hofmann and Beta will produce outstanding projects.”

At the same time, current UFA CEO Sascha Schwingel announced he will now write the “next chapter of success” in the company’s history and use this “dynamic market development” as an opportunity: “Thanks to an internationally well-connected and lean organisation that places creativity and talent radically at the centre of its work, we will surprise with outstanding content on even more platforms and channels in the future.”