Investment Intelligence provides up-to-date private equity information and news designed for entrepreneurs, private equity investors and corporate acquirors interested in Central & Eastern Europe.

Budapest Film Gets Acquisition Lifeline From A COMPANY

A COMPANY, a German media distribution firm, has reached a deal to acquire a majority share of Budapest Film. A COMPANY already has a healthy relationship with the Hungarian film distributor since they have jointly controlled Filmklik, a VOD platform they hope to release in Europe once the acquisition is complete. Budapest Film is also the sole distributor in Hungary for EEAP, a subsidiary of A COMPANY.

A COMPANY
Berlin-based A COMPANY is a licensing, consulting, and trading firm specializing in media distribution. Through its EEAP subsidiary A COMPANY controls the European rights to more than 250 feature films, acquiring those rights from both U.S. and international distributors. The company ran into financial trouble due to the recession but has since rebounded after receiving investments from Future Capital Partners and Screen Capital International.

Budapest Film
Budapest Film is a Hungarian media distributor focusing mainly on independent film and art house projects. The company has been facing bankruptcy rumors for several months as the recession has forced film goers to scale back on expenditures. The company accounted for nearly 10% of the Hungarian film distribution market and plans to release 25 films in Hungary next year.

Expansion Media Partners (www.futurecapitalpartners.com)
Expansion Media Partners (EMP) was formed in early 2009 by Future Capital Partners, with additional investment from Screen Capital Partners, in order to invest in media companies throughout Europe. The firm's first deal was the A COMPANY investment in which it acquired a 25.2% stake and a three-year option of further acquisition for €3 million.