Vuelta Germany CEO launches BriskPace Studios as company integration completes
European studio Vuelta Group has continued its expansion across the continent, with its German operations completing a significant phase of integration and transformation, and its German CEO exiting to focus on production.
Al Munteanu, previously CEO of Vuelta Germany, has stepped away from his executive role to assume ownership of Vuelta subsidiary SquareOne Entertainment’s production arm SquareOne Productions, which is now rebranded as BriskPace Studios.
The move comes after Munteanu and his team unified the operations of Vuelta’s German subsidiaries SquareOne Entertainment, Telepool and EuroVideo.
As well as SquareOne Entertainment and Telepool in Germany, Vuelta’s portfolio of companies includes Scanbox Entertainment in Scandinavia, Indiana Productions and Piper Film Distribution in Italy, French proco Pan, WWE Entertainment in Benelux, and international distributor Playtime.
As part of this alignment, Telepool’s international sales division, Global Screen, has been integrated under Playtime, strengthening Vuelta’s consolidated international sales operations. In parallel, a new agreement has been secured with Constantin Film for its slate of theatrical releases.
With the integration complete, Munteanu will now focus on independent production through BriskPace Studios, which will operate from both Munich and London. The company is set to concentrate on domestic and international film and television projects, leveraging its experience in coproduction, distribution and marketing.
“I am extremely proud of Vuelta Germany’s achievements under [Vuelta Group chairman] Jerome Levy’s stewardship and am certain of the continued success of this thriving pan-European production and distribution group of like-minded professionals,” said Munteanu. “With my years of production, sales and distribution expertise, I see only opportunity in these pivotal times for entrepreneurially spirited, distribution-savvy producers to create outstanding work out of Europe.”
He added that BriskPace Studios is positioned as a well-capitalised, forward-looking boutique, operating at the intersection of production, finance, brands and marketing, and emphasised the strategic relationship that will continue with Vuelta.
Levy praised Munteanu’s contribution, saying: “From the outset, Al was a leading architect of our strategy in Germany. While we will miss his leadership, we embrace his passion for production and wish him all the best for his future journey. I am certain he will bring the same energy and insight to expanding BriskPace Studios.”
Munteanu remains a shareholder of Vuelta and will serve as a senior advisor. In his place, Dr Dirk Schweitzer has been appointed interim MD of Vuelta Germany. Schweitzer brings with him significant experience from previous leadership roles at TeleMünchen, Splendid Media and MMC Studios.
