TF1 Films Production

Overview

TF1 Films Production is the film financing and co-production division of TF1, France's largest commercial television broadcaster. The company is required by French media regulation to invest 3.65% of its total net broadcasting revenue in pre-buying and buying new French and European feature films. In 2023, TF1 Group spent €50.20 million in pre-financing films. The company commits to pre-financing a minimum of 19 original French or European films per year, with at least €19.2 million spent on acquisitions.

TF1 Films Production is part of Studio TF1, the rebranded Newen Studios group (renamed in January 2025), which encompasses 50 production and distribution labels across 12 countries. Studio TF1 is expanding its cinema activities under CEO Pierre Branco, who joined in March 2024 after 17 years at Warner Bros. France. The group plans to double its film production to 10 to 12 titles per year by 2027 and is launching an in-house theatrical distribution label in 2026.

Nathalie Toulza Madar serves as CEO of TF1 Films Production and CEO Cinema at Studio TF1. The company currently produces 5 to 6 films per year, with plans to scale significantly. Studio TF1's library includes 20,000 hours of content, including 1,000 movies.

For French and European producers seeking pre-buy commitments and co-production financing, TF1 Films Production is one of the most active partners in the French market. The company's broad audience reach through the TF1 channel and its AVOD platform (the number one AVOD platform in France for movie broadcasting) provides a guaranteed broadcast window alongside theatrical distribution.

Regulatory Framework and Investment Obligations

TF1's film investment obligations are established by French law (no. 86-1067 of September 30, 1986) and implemented through decrees enforced by the CNC (Centre national du cinema et de l'image animee). Free-to-air terrestrial channels broadcasting at least 52 films per year must devote at least 3.2% of their turnover to European film production, with at least 2.4% (originally) dedicated to original French-language works.

In a renewed three-year agreement with French cinema guilds (BLIC, BLOC, and ARP) signed in 2024, TF1 increased its commitment to 3.65% of total net broadcasting revenue, up from 3.5% in the previous 2021 agreement. Key terms of the current agreement:

• 3.65% of total net broadcasting revenue invested in pre-buying and buying new French and European feature films
• Minimum 19 original French or European films pre-financed per year (up from 17)
• At least €19.2 million spent on acquisitions of original French or European films
• 70% of the obligation dedicated to independent production
• 90% of the obligation dedicated to EOF (European French-language works)
• 12.5% of revenue committed to heritage works (patrimonial)
• 48 months of linear and non-linear rights (AVOD/FVOD and SVOD) for independently financed works
• 5.4% of the obligation dedicated to independent creative documentaries (new commitment)
• 5.2% of the obligation dedicated to animation (new sub-quota)

Three quarters of the investment must go to independent production, based on criteria relating to exhibition means and capital arrangements between the channel and the production company. Expenses qualifying toward the obligation include pre-purchase of broadcast rights, investments in producer shares, and sums spent on theatrical distribution.

In return for co-producing, TF1 receives a broadcast window at the two-year mark rather than the standard three-year window for non-co-producing channels.

History

TF1 was privatized in 1987 under the French government's broadcasting deregulation program. Its film investment obligations were established as conditions of its broadcast license. TF1 Films Production has operated continuously since the early 1990s.

TF1 Group acquired Newen Studios in 2015, which grew into one of Europe's top production and distribution banners with 50 company labels across 12 countries. In January 2025, Newen Studios was rebranded as Studio TF1 under CEO Pierre Branco, signaling an expanded focus on cinema and international co-productions.

Branco, who joined after 17 years at Warner Bros. France (rising to General Manager France, Benelux, and Africa), announced the cinema expansion strategy in January 2025. Key hires include:

• Cristina Batlle (ex-Warner Bros. France) as head of theatrical distribution operations
• Julia Stuart (former director of original film at Sky) as consultant for sourcing IP-driven projects
• Rodolphe Buet (ex-Studiocanal) as Chief Distribution Officer, overseeing international co-productions and sales

TF1 Films Production has been involved in many of France's highest-grossing domestic films, including the Asterix franchise, the Camping series, Les Visiteurs (1993), Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis (2008, which became the highest-grossing French film at the time), Intouchables (2011), and the Les Tuche series.

Recent productions and releases include Chasse Gardee (nearly 2 million admissions), Jamais Sans Mon Psy (remake rights sold to Sony), Playing With Fire / Jouer Avec Le Feu (starring Vincent Lindon, Venice prize winner), The Quiet Son / Felicita Films (Venice premiere), Des Jours Meilleurs (Dai Dai Films), and Natacha (live-action adaptation of the popular children's comic). Upcoming titles include a two-part biopic about Charles de Gaulle and Monsieur Aznavour (starring Tahar Rahim, October 2023 release).

Notable Productions

TF1 Films Production has co-financed many of France's highest-grossing domestic films:

House Style / Genre Focus

TF1 Films Production targets broad popular appeal, television broadcast potential, and commercial viability. The company co-finances mainstream French comedies, family entertainment, popular genre films, and increasingly, auteur-driven projects and animation. TF1 does not typically invest in arthouse or experimental cinema. The company's broadcast window requirement means films must perform well on television as well as in theaters. The expanded Studio TF1 strategy adds English-language co-productions in the $20M to $50M range, targeting action and spy thrillers with IP and cast elements.

How They Typically Find Talent / Take Submissions

TF1 Films Production evaluates projects at the development stage. French producers approach the company to secure pre-buy commitments that strengthen their financing plans. The company does not accept unsolicited submissions from individual filmmakers. Projects reach TF1 through established French production companies, agents, and industry relationships. Nathalie Toulza Madar oversees both TF1 Films Production and cinema activities at Studio TF1. For international co-productions, Julia Stuart consults on sourcing IP-driven projects, and Rodolphe Buet handles international co-productions and sales. Producers should contact TF1 Films Production through Studio TF1 or industry channels.

Recent Output / Slate Year

TF1 Films Production currently produces 5 to 6 films per year, with plans to scale to 10 to 12 titles by 2027. Recent output includes Chasse Gardee (nearly 2M admissions), Jamais Sans Mon Psy (remake rights sold to Sony), Playing With Fire (Venice prize winner starring Vincent Lindon), The Quiet Son (Venice premiere), Des Jours Meilleurs, and Natacha.

Studio TF1 produced 3,750 hours of programming in 2025 across its 50 labels. The group acquired 63% of Johnson Production Group in August 2024, strengthening its TV movie output (approximately 40 TV movies per year). A new in-house theatrical distribution label launches in 2026, giving the company control over the first theatrical window. Previously, TF1 distributed in cinemas via a partnership with UGC.

Studio TF1 Cinema Expansion (2025 to 2027)

Studio TF1's cinema expansion plan, announced in January 2025, includes three key pillars:

1. Doubling French film production: From 5 to 6 films per year to 10 to 12 titles by 2027, spanning comedies, auteur-driven projects, and animation.
2. Theatrical distribution launch: Studio TF1 is recruiting a theatrical distribution team for an operational launch in 2026, giving the company control over the first theatrical window. Previously, the company distributed in cinemas via a partnership with UGC.
3. International co-productions: Bigger-budget English-language films in the $20 million to $50 million range, with IP and cast as key elements. Genres of interest include action and spy thrillers. Julia Stuart is consulting on project sourcing.

The group also acquired 63% of Johnson Production Group in August 2024, strengthening its position in the TV movie market alongside its existing subsidiary Reel One. Johnson Production Group produces approximately 40 TV movies per year with an operating margin of approximately 30%.

Studio TF1 produced 3,750 hours of programming in 2025 across its 50 labels.

What Filmmakers Should Know

TF1 Films Production evaluates projects based on broad popular appeal, television broadcast potential, and commercial viability. The company is not typically involved in arthouse or experimental cinema but is an active partner for mainstream French genre films, comedies, family entertainment, and increasingly, auteur-driven projects and animation.

For French producers, TF1 Films Production's pre-buy commitments provide a guaranteed revenue stream that can be leveraged against bank loans and other financing. Producers typically approach TF1 Films Production at the development stage to secure pre-buy commitments that strengthen the financing plan.

For international co-productions targeting the French popular market, TF1 Films Production's involvement provides a guaranteed French theatrical and television distribution component alongside the financing commitment. The expanded Studio TF1 strategy opens possibilities for English-language co-productions in the $20M to $50M range.

The new theatrical distribution division launching in 2026 will handle both in-house productions and titles from third-party producers outside the group. This gives filmmakers an additional French distribution option beyond the established players (Pathé, Gaumont, UGC, Studiocanal).

TF1's broadcast window for co-produced films is 24 months after theatrical release, compared to 36 months for non-co-producing channels. This earlier window can be relevant for negotiating output deals and streaming arrangements.

For inquiries, producers should contact TF1 Films Production through Studio TF1 or industry channels. Nathalie Toulza Madar oversees both TF1 Films Production and cinema activities at Studio TF1.

Key Financial Data

Watch: Trailers & Behind the Scenes

See Also

For understanding how French television financing works alongside Canal+, see Distribution Deals Explained. To model revenue across French distribution windows, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator. For calculating break-even on international co-productions, use the Ad Spend Break-Even Calculator.