StudioCanal's long-term vision

Anna Marsh, CEO of StudioCanal and deputy CEO of Canal+, spoke about the company's focus on long-term ownership of intellectual property and strategic growth during a conversation at the MIA | Rome International Audiovisual Market on 21 October. She stressed that the company's approach includes securing IP rights, making strategic acquisitions, and creating stories rooted in local cultures.

Value of a vast library

StudioCanal manages a library of over 18,000 titles, which Marsh described as both a commercial asset and a foundation for future development. She emphasized that investment decisions are made with an eye toward long-term value, joking that "Our grandchildren will thank us for this deal," highlighting the company's forward-thinking mindset.

Restoration and reimagining

Over the past seven years, StudioCanal has invested about €25 million in restoring nearly 1,000 films in 4K. Marsh also mentioned the potential of reimagining classic works, such as Army of Shadows, a new television series inspired by Jean-Pierre Melville's 1969 film. The show will explore themes of resistance in a near-future Britain.

Expansion into new markets

Marsh highlighted StudioCanal's growth into new territories, with South Africa standing out as a promising market. She pointed to projects like The Road Home, a film about Paul Simon's Graceland album, and Shaka iLembe, a historical drama, as examples of how locally rooted stories can appeal to international audiences.

Strategic acquisition in Italy

In Europe, StudioCanal acquired a majority stake in Lucky Red, an Italian distributor and producer. Marsh emphasized the importance of shared creative values and trust over financial details, praising Lucky Red's ability to position challenging international films in the Italian market.

Adapting to changing media

As audience habits shift and the lines between traditional pay TV and free-to-air services blur, Marsh urged companies to regularly reassess their strategies. She warned against surrendering long-term IP rights to larger studios and stressed the importance of protecting independent producers to ensure the industry's sustainability.

Negotiating power and IP

Marsh advised producers to avoid rushing projects to market and to invest in development. She argued that strong scripts, unique talent, and compelling stories increase a producer's bargaining power. Retaining IP rights has become a key theme at MIA, with Marsh reaffirming this message following earlier discussions by other industry leaders.