The Coproduction Office

Overview

The Coproduction Office is a Berlin and Paris-based international sales company that has represented some of the most significant auteur filmmakers in world cinema since its founding in 1989. Founded by producer Paulo Branco and later led by Philippe Bober, the company operates with a singular focus on director-driven arthouse cinema, maintaining long-term relationships with established and emerging filmmakers whose work consistently appears in the competition programs of major festivals.

The company's prestige comes not from volume but from the quality and distinction of its catalog, which represents a concentrated selection of the most artistically ambitious independent cinema produced in Europe and beyond.

History

The Coproduction Office was established in 1989, initially as a vehicle for managing international sales of Paulo Branco's productions. Philippe Bober took over leadership and expanded the company into a standalone international sales operation with a curated portfolio of filmmaker relationships.

The company's catalog includes films by Wim Wenders (Pina, The Salt of the Earth), Michael Winterbottom (In This World, The Road to Guantanamo), Atom Egoyan (Ararat, Where the Truth Lies), Terence Davies (Of Time and the City, The Deep Blue Sea, A Quiet Passion), Chantal Akerman (No Home Movie), Frederick Wiseman (At Berkeley, In Jackson Heights), and dozens of other directors whose work defines the arthouse canon of the past three decades.

The company consistently brings films to Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and Locarno, selling them to distributors in Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond. Its willingness to represent formally demanding and commercially challenging work distinguishes it from sales companies that require broader commercial potential.

What Filmmakers Should Know

The Coproduction Office is selective in its representation, working primarily with directors who have established international festival profiles and whose work aligns with the company's auteur-focused identity. For established arthouse directors seeking international sales representation, the company offers one of the most prestigious and specialized options available.

For emerging filmmakers, the company's focus on established names means it is typically not the appropriate first sales agent, but understanding its catalog provides a clear picture of what sustained international arthouse careers can look like.

See Also

For understanding how international sales work for auteur cinema, see Distribution Deals Explained. To model revenue across international territories, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator.