Wild Bunch International

Overview

Wild Bunch International (WBI) is one of the most influential international sales agents in European cinema. Founded in 2002 by Vincent Maraval, Brahim Chioua, and Vincent Grimond, the company specializes in world sales for auteur-driven and commercially ambitious independent films. WBI operates as an independent, autonomous company, though Wild Bunch Group retains a 20% stake and the companies share offices in Paris.

The broader Wild Bunch group operates as a pan-European independent distribution platform with direct distribution in France, Germany (Wild Bunch Germany), Italy (BiM Distribuzione), Spain (Vertigo Films), and Austria (Wild Bunch Austria). The group's catalogue comprises 2,600 films, including The Artist, The King's Speech, Drive, Pan's Labyrinth, and the complete Studio Ghibli feature catalogue for international sales.

As of early 2026, Wild Bunch SA (the group's French distribution and production arm) entered receivership proceedings. The Paris Commercial Court opened a six-month observation period on January 30, 2026, after the company defaulted on payments from mid-December 2025. The group employs 32 staff and reported €15 million turnover in 2025, with equity interests in 11 European subsidiaries generating €33 million in combined turnover. A call for tenders for investors has a deadline of September 28, 2026.

History

Wild Bunch was established in 2002 by industry veterans who had built significant careers in international sales and distribution. The company quickly became one of the top sales agents in the business, representing films that consistently appeared in major festival competitions and won top prizes.

WBI's sales catalog includes films by Michael Haneke, Quentin Tarantino, Pedro Almodovar, Park Chan-wook, Jacques Audiard, Terrence Malick, Hirokazu Kore-eda, and the Dardenne brothers, among many others. Notable sales include Amour (2012, Palme d'Or), The Artist (2011, Best Picture Oscar), Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013, Palme d'Or), Titane (2021, Palme d'Or), Shoplifters (2018, Palme d'Or), Les Misérables (2019, Cannes Jury Prize), and Saint Omer (2022, Venice Grand Jury Prize).

WBI was spun off as an independent standalone company in 2020, with Vincent Maraval leading the separation. The company has since expanded into a "galaxy of companies" strategy, creating or partnering with production entities across Europe and Asia. This includes Getaway Film (created in 2019 with Brahim and Noëmie Devide, producing Oxygen for Netflix and Michel Hazanavicius's Final Cut), Wild West (a French genre-focused production house with Capricci), and the animation sales label that became Gebeka International and was later rebranded as Goodfellas Animation in 2025.

Notable Productions

House Style / Genre Focus

WBI specializes in world sales for auteur-driven and commercially ambitious independent films. The catalogue spans Palme d'Or winners, Oscar contenders, and festival-circuit cinema from directors including Michael Haneke, Pedro Almodovar, Park Chan-wook, Jacques Audiard, Terrence Malick, Hirokazu Kore-eda, and the Dardenne brothers. WBI also handles the complete Studio Ghibli feature catalogue for international sales. The company does not represent big-budget studio blockbusters, franchise films, or purely commercial genre content without festival credentials. WBI targets films with both artistic merit and international commercial viability across multiple territories.

How They Typically Find Talent / Take Submissions

WBI acquires world sales rights for completed films and pre-buys rights on projects in development and production. The company evaluates films based on directorial vision, festival potential, and commercial viability across international markets. WBI does not operate a public open submission portal. Engagement typically happens through the filmmaker's producer or sales representative at major film markets: Cannes Marche du Film, Berlin's European Film Market (EFM), and the American Film Market (AFM).

Head of sales Eva Diederix leads the sales team. WBI maintains its core international sales business separately from the Wild Bunch SA receivership proceedings. Filmmakers should distinguish between WBI (the independent sales agent, which continues to operate) and Wild Bunch SA (the French distribution arm in receivership since January 2026).

Recent Output / Slate Year

WBI continues to operate as an independent sales company through 2025 and 2026. At the 2026 Cannes Marche du Film, Wild Bunch acquired German rights to the Spanish survival thriller Balandrau: Where the Fierce Wind Blew from Filmax, among other deals.

Goodfellas Animation (rebranded from Gebeka International in 2025) handles 5 to 6 independent animated features per year. The early 2026 slate included awards-season frontrunners Little Amelie or the Character of Rain and Arco, plus EFM launches Lucy Lost, Treasure Trekkers, and Tudy. Andy Serkis's Animal Farm was released in the US by Angel in May 2026.

Wild Bunch SA (the French distribution arm) entered receivership on January 30, 2026, with a six-month observation period and an investor deadline of September 28, 2026. The company reported €15M turnover in 2025 with 32 employees. The production and TV divisions continue, including the series Alice starring Berenice Bejo, co-produced with France Televisions and HBO Max.

Animation and the Goodfellas Animation Label

WBI has a long history in feature animation sales, beginning with Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away (2002 Oscar winner). The company handles the entire Studio Ghibli feature catalogue internationally. In 2021, WBI partnered with Lyon-based Gebeka Films to create Gebeka International, a joint animation world sales label aiming to handle 5 to 6 independent animated features per year with festival and awards potential.

The label was rebranded as Goodfellas Animation in 2025 and is now part of Paris-based film company Goodfellas. Head of sales Jason Bressand oversees the slate, which in early 2026 included awards-season frontrunners Little Amélie or the Character of Rain and Arco, plus new EFM launches Lucy Lost, Treasure Trekkers, and Tudy. Goodfellas Animation also continues sales on The Legendaries, Another World, and Andy Serkis's Animal Farm (released in the US by Angel in May 2026).

Current Status and Restructuring

Wild Bunch SA Receivership

Wild Bunch SA (the French distribution and production arm) entered receivership on January 30, 2026. Key details:

• Proceeding: Six-month observation period opened by Paris Commercial Court
• Date of cessation of payments: December 16, 2025
• New CEO: David Desplas (promoted from Group CFO in January 2026, replacing Sophie Jordan)
• Group CEO: Ron Meyer remains in place
• Turnover: €15 million in 2025 (France), €33 million across 11 European subsidiaries
• Staff: 32 employees
• Investor deadline: September 28, 2026 at 12:00 (call for tenders issued by administrator 2M&associés)
• Cause: French box office plunged 14% year-on-year in 2025, creating what CEO Desplas called a "problematic distribution context"

Desplas has stated the company has no plans to shut down and is pursuing a revamped strategy with new co-production and co-distribution partnerships, plus outside financing from private investors. The company's production and TV divisions continue to operate, including the anticipated six-episode series Alice starring Berenice Bejo as pioneering filmmaker Alice Guy, co-produced with France Televisions and HBO Max.

Wild Bunch International (WBI) Operations

WBI continues to operate as an independent sales company, distinct from the Wild Bunch SA receivership. The company maintains its core international sales business under head of sales Eva Diederix, with a presence at all major film markets including the Cannes Marche du Film, the European Film Market (Berlin), and the American Film Market. At the 2026 Cannes Marche du Film, Wild Bunch acquired German rights to the Spanish survival thriller Balandrau: Where the Fierce Wind Blew from Filmax, among other deals.

What Filmmakers Should Know

WBI acquires world sales rights for completed films and pre-buys rights on projects in development and production. The company evaluates films based on directorial vision, festival potential, and commercial viability across international markets. WBI is one of the primary sales agents that producers and filmmakers engage with at Cannes, the European Film Market (Berlin), and the American Film Market.

For independent filmmakers seeking international distribution beyond their home territory, WBI represents a path to reaching buyers in dozens of countries. The company's track record with Palme d'Or winners and Oscar contenders makes it particularly suited for festival-bound auteur cinema. Engagement typically happens through the filmmaker's producer or sales representative, often at major film markets and festivals.

Filmmakers should be aware of the distinction between WBI (the independent international sales agent, which continues to operate) and Wild Bunch SA (the French distribution arm in receivership). The French distribution arm's financial difficulties do not directly affect WBI's sales operations, but they may impact Wild Bunch's ability to act as a French distributor for films it acquires.

Watch: Trailers & Behind the Scenes

See Also

For understanding how international sales and distribution work, see Distribution Deals Explained. To model revenue across international territories, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator. For understanding how film markets function, see the Festival Strategy Guide to plan your market and festival approach.