StudioCanal, Universal take Terra deal

Vivendi stablemates StudioCanal and Universal Music Group (UMG) have agreed a co-development partnership with Terra Mater Film Studios.

The arrangement with Terra Mater, which is backed by energy-drink giant Red Bull, is designed “to maximise the combined assets and expertise of each global powerhouse’s business units,” the companies said.

The aim is to create “distinctive and authored commercial feature films with a strong European narrative” that are designed for the global marketplace.

Projects will be distributed by StudioCanal, while all music partnerships will be handled by UMG.

Ron Halpern, exec VP of international production and acquisitions at StudioCanal, said: “Terra Mater Film Studios has a distinct vision for developing innovative and meaningful films and we look forward to working closely with them and our friends at Universal Music Group.”

Terra Mater is behind documentary The Ivory Game, sci-fi show Mindgamers and wildlife series Wild Canada, which was picked up around the world.

The company was founded in Vienna in 2011 by Walter Köhler, the former head of Austrian public broadcaster ORF’s acclaimed Universum natural history unit.