NEON

Overview

NEON is an independent film distribution and production company founded in 2017 by Tom Quinn, a 30-year industry veteran who previously led acquisition efforts at Samuel Goldwyn Films, Magnolia Pictures, and Radius-TWC (a label of The Weinstein Company). The company launched its first film, Colossal, on April 7, 2017, with a team of 12 people split between New York and Los Angeles. NEON is majority-owned by 30West, the entertainment investment and advisory firm.

In eight years, NEON has released 115 films, garnered 39 Academy Award nominations with 11 wins, and generated more than $400 million at the box office. The company has won two Best Picture Oscars: Bong Joon-ho's Parasite (2019), the first non-English-language film to win the award, and Sean Baker's Anora (2024). NEON has also won the Cannes Palme d'Or five consecutive times, an unprecedented streak for a US distributor: Parasite (2019), Titane (2021), Triangle of Sadness (2022), Anatomy of a Fall (2023), and Anora (2024).

NEON raised a $200 million credit facility in November 2024, providing fresh capital for acquisitions, production, and international expansion. The company has grown from its startup team of 12 to 52 employees, with key leadership including chief distribution officer Elissa Federoff, president of acquisitions and production Jeff Deutchman, president of publicity Christina Zisa, and CFO Ryan Friscia.

For filmmakers with auteur-driven, culturally significant work, NEON represents one of the most sought-after independent distribution partners in North America, combining theatrical commitment, awards campaign expertise, and a brand identity that audiences under 35 recognize.

The Palme d'Or Streak and Awards Strategy

NEON's five consecutive Palme d'Or wins are not a matter of luck but of aggressive, targeted acquisition strategy at Cannes. Quinn has described the approach: some titles were acquired at script stage (Parasite, Titane, Anora), while others were bought on the ground at the festival (Triangle of Sadness, Anatomy of a Fall). In 2025, NEON acquired three additional Cannes Competition titles: Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident, Kleber Mendonca Filho's The Secret Agent, and Oliver Laxe's Sirat.

NEON positions its Palme d'Or winners for awards season with early-to-mid October theatrical releases. Anora followed this pattern, opening wide after platforming, and achieved the largest post-Oscar theatrical bump since Oppenheimer. The home entertainment bump was even more significant, running 125 to 150% above original expectations.

For 2026, NEON has positioned Cristian Mungiu's Fjord, the 2025 Palme d'Or winner, for an October 9 North American release, following the same awards-season playbook. NEON acquired North American, UK, and Australia/New Zealand rights to Fjord in May 2025, with the UK rights subsequently picked up by Picturehouse Entertainment.

Quinn has stated that the Palme d'Or matters more than any other filmmaking award for NEON's business, because the award has demonstrated commercial value in the US market. Each subsequent Palme d'Or win has lent additional credibility to what the award means for audiences and distribution partners.

Acquisition Model and Deal Economics

NEON acquires films primarily at Sundance, Cannes, Toronto (TIFF), Venice, and Berlin. The company is known for acting quickly and competing against larger distributors including A24, Sony Pictures Classics, and Focus Features for high-profile titles.

NEON's acquisition strategy follows a clear mantra, as articulated by Quinn: "Auteur-driven films that have purpose, something to say. Cultural heft, in some cases social impact, but also artistic merit in equal measure. Those things cannot exist without one another."

Key acquisition deals and their economics:

• I, Tonya (2017): NEON paid $6 million for the film at TIFF, despite Netflix offering three times that amount. The film grossed $30 million domestically and earned three Academy Award nominations, with Allison Janney winning Best Supporting Actress. This acquisition established NEON's credibility with filmmakers.
• Longlegs (2024): Osgood Perkins' R-rated horror film became NEON's biggest domestic release ever with over $74 million, surpassing Parasite. It was the top indie horror picture in a decade and the top indie film of 2024.
• The Monkey (2025): Another Perkins horror title, earning nearly $40 million worldwide within five weekends.
• Anora (2024): Acquired at script stage, won the Palme d'Or, then won five Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay.

NEON has also moved upstream into production and co-financing, boarding films at script stage rather than only acquiring finished films. Recent productions include Splitsville (directed by Michael Angelo Covino) and The End (directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, starring Tilda Swinton). The company has also launched an international sales division, with Cannes titles including Takashi Miike's Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo and Mads Mikkelsen action thriller Sirius.

For deal structures, NEON typically pays a minimum guarantee (MG) against a revenue split for North American rights. MGs vary widely based on festival pedigree, cast, and genre, but NEON's offers are competitive with the top tier of independent distributors. The company's $200 million credit facility gives it the capacity to fund significant P&A spend for wide releases.

Horror and Genre Strategy

Beyond prestige arthouse and international cinema, NEON has built a parallel identity as an indie horror distributor. Longlegs demonstrated that NEON can open a horror film wide and generate mainstream box office, not just arthouse numbers. Immaculate (2024), starring and produced by Sydney Sweeney, and The Monkey (2025) reinforced this positioning.

Quinn has expressed particular enthusiasm for horror as a genre, noting it as an area where the market undervalues films and where NEON can exploit opportunities. The company's horror releases target both the traditional arthouse audience and younger, genre-driven audiences who may not typically attend independent films.

2026 Release Slate

NEON's 2026 theatrical release schedule includes:

• Sheep In The Box (July 24, 2026): Hirokazu Kore-eda's Cannes Competition entry, starring Haruka Ayase and Daigo. NEON acquired US, UK, and Australian rights, reuniting with Kore-eda after Broker (2022).
• Her Private Hell (July 24, 2026)
• It Ends (August 21, 2026)
• Fjord (October 9, 2026): Cristian Mungiu's Palme d'Or winner, positioned for awards season.
• Once Upon A Time In Harlem (October 16, 2026)
• Paper Tiger (November 13, 2026)
• King Snake: Jeff Nichols' next film starring Margaret Qualley and Michael Shannon, acquired by NEON in May 2026. FilmNation Entertainment financed the film and handled worldwide sales. Production started in Arkansas in May 2026.

What Filmmakers Should Know

NEON acquires films that are director-driven, have a strong critical identity, and sit in the prestige-to-challenging zone rather than mainstream commercial space. The company is particularly active in international cinema, genre hybrids, and documentary features with strong narrative construction.

Filmmakers should understand that NEON's commitment to theatrical release is fundamental to its identity. Quinn has stated that when NEON pitches for a film, filmmakers know exactly what will happen: the film will be treated respectfully and given the best, longest possible theatrical release NEON can deliver. Even when more money is offered by streamers or studios, NEON frequently wins deals because filmmakers prioritize theatrical treatment.

NEON's willingness to run full awards campaigns, including significant Academy Awards spending, makes it one of the most valuable distribution partners for films with awards potential. The Parasite and Anora campaigns are now case studies in independent distribution strategy at the highest level.

For acquisition inquiries, NEON's VP of acquisitions Sarah Colvin handles many incoming titles. Colvin started at the company as an intern out of NYU and has been responsible for acquisitions including Robot Dreams and The Seed of the Sacred Fig. Filmmakers should submit through a sales agent or entertainment lawyer; NEON typically acquires films that premiere at major festivals rather than through open submissions.

Notable Releases

Parasite (2019, four Oscars including Best Picture), Anora (2024, five Oscars including Best Picture), I, Tonya (2017), Longlegs (2024, $74M+ domestic), Anatomy of a Fall (2023), Triangle of Sadness (2022), Titane (2021), The Substance (2024), Immaculate (2024), The Monkey (2025), Bottoms (2023), Lamb (2021), Good One (2024), The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024), Fjord (2026), Sheep In The Box (2026).

Watch: Trailers and Interviews

See Also

For how a North American theatrical distribution campaign is structured from acquisition to Oscar season, see Distribution Deals Explained. To model the revenue and P&A economics of a prestige independent release, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator. For understanding how MG and revenue split deals work for independent distributors, see What Does a Distributor Keep?. For comparison with another major independent distributor, see A24 in this directory.