Meet Mister Smith: David Garrett And Constantin Film Launch New Joint Venture, Mister Smith Entertainment

LONDON and MUNICH, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- David Garrett, co-founder of Summit Entertainment, and former President of Summit International, announced today that he is launching a new company, Mister Smith Entertainment, at the upcoming 2012 Cannes Film Market. Mister Smith Entertainment is a joint venture between Garrett and Constantin Film, which is also providing funding capital for the international licensing and distribution organization. CEO Garrett reunites with former Summit executive Ralpho Borgos who joins as Executive Vice President, International Licensing and Distribution. Annasivia Britt rounds out the new team as Vice President, Marketing and Publicity. The company will operate out of London.

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Mister Smith Entertainment will be involved in the financing, co-financing and licensing of high quality mainstream feature films and filmmaker driven movies for the global market. Mister Smith Entertainment will launch in Cannes with two major Constantin upcoming productions: Cassandra Clare's #1 best-selling book series adaptation THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES, the first film in the highly anticipated action fantasy franchise; and the compelling true story 3,096 DAYS based on the autobiography of Natascha Kampusch held captive for over 8 years and whose escape made headlines around the world.

David Garrett stated: "Mister Smith Entertainment is a natural next step for me after a wonderful 19 year partnership at Summit Entertainment. I am also proud to have been in business with Constantin Films since the early 1990s and their partnership is the cornerstone of this new venture. Our goal is to recreate the successful distribution structure we forged in the early days of Summit Entertainment, building upon core strategic partnerships with the very best producers, filmmakers and distributors around the world."

Martin Moszkowicz, member of the executive board of Constantin Film added: "David Garrett is synonymous with success and style and under his leadership Mister Smith Entertainment will be an immense source of pride for us all, especially in this time of real challenge and change in our industry. David and I care deeply about the content this company will bring to the international market place and we share a unified and committed vision towards the kinds of movies we want to make."

During his tenure as President, International at Summit Entertainment, David Garrett served as international supervisor on Summit-produced, co-produced and acquired titles such as THE TWILIGHT SAGA franchise, RED, SOURCE CODE, KNOWING, the Palme d'Or winner TREE OF LIFE, AMERICAN PIE, MEMENTO, MR. & MRS. SMITH, the Cannes official selection BABEL, as well Brit productions including LOCK STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS and Mike Leigh's HAPPY-GO-LUCKY.

Ralpho Borgos has over 20 years experience in international distribution. Previously Senior Vice President of International Sales at Summit Entertainment, he oversaw international sales and distribution on all Summit titles including: THE TWILIGHT SAGA franchise, RED, SOURCE CODE, KNOWING and the Palme d'Or winner TREE OF LIFE. Before moving to Summit Entertainment in 2006, Borgos was based in Los Angeles with New Line Cinema for 11 years where he handled titles such as RUSH HOUR, and the AUSTIN POWERS and LORD OF THE RINGS franchises.

Cassandra Clare's #1 best-selling book series adaptation THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES, which has been translated in 34 languages, stars Lily Collins (THE BLIND SIDE) whose recent feature MIRROR, MIRROR has grossed over US$120 Million worldwide, and Jamie Campbell-Bower (ANONYMOUS, CAMELOT) who will next be seen in the upcoming THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2. The film will be directed by Harald Zwart (THE KARATE KID) from a screenplay by Jessica Postigo and I. Marlene King. Robert Kulzer is producing for Constantin Film alongside Don Carmody. Executive producers are Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne for Unique Features and Martin Moszkowicz for Constantin Film. SPE's Screen Gems will release the film in the US on August 23, 2013. Principal photography begins in Toronto on August 15, 2012.

The compelling biopic 3,096 DAYS is based on the book by Natascha Kampusch, abducted at age 10 and held captive in a basement prison for 8 years by her kidnapper Wolfgang Priklopil. The film stars rising European star Antonia Campbell-Hughes (ALBERT NOBBS, BRIGHT STAR) and Thure Lindhardt (ANGELES AND DEMONS, INTO THE WILD) and will be directed by award-winning director Sherry Hormann (DESERT FLOWER) and produced by Martin Moszkowicz. This was the last project initiated by the late and highly esteemed writer/producer Bernd Eichinger (DOWNFALL, THE BAADER-MEINHOF COMPLEX). Ruth Toma completed Eichinger's unfinished screenplay. Principal photography begins in Germany on May 2, 2012.

About Constantin Film

Constantin Film has been synonymous with quality and success for over 30 years. It has played a crucial role in establishing German cinema both nationally and internationally. Between 1977, when Bernd Eichinger established the company, and 2009, when it was integrated into media conglomerate Constantin Medien AG, Constantin Film emerged as the most successful independent production and distribution company in the German media industry. Constantin Film's operations include German and English language motion picture theatrical production, theatrical distribution, home entertainment distribution, licensing and television production. Constantin Film's diverse slate includes box office hits and award-winning films alike, ranging from comic book to literary adaptations, historical dramas, action and genre, among them THE NEVERENDING STORY, THE FANTASTIC FOUR film franchise, THE NAME OF THE ROSE, WICKIE THE MIGHTY VIKING, NOWHERE IN AFRICA, DOWNFALL, THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX, POPE JOAN, THE HOUSE OF SPIRITS, and the RESIDENT EVIL film franchise.