Recorded Picture Company

Name

Recorded Picture Company

Legal name

Recorded Picture Company

Website

https://recordedpicture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Film Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro primary industry

International Sales & Licensing (Territory Pre-Sales) (MPADAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Catalog / Library Distribution & Re-Release (MPADAJAK), Sales Agency Representation & Deal Structuring (MPADAAAK)

Keywords

• Independent film production
• Feature film financing
• International co-production
• Film sales distribution
• Auteur cinema

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Film Production: RPC produces independent feature films, financing them through a combination of co-production agreements with international partners (e.g., Rai Cinema, Le Pacte, Archimede Films), pre-sales to territorial distributors, and gap financing. Revenue accrues from the production itself through distribution fees, producer fees, and backend participation.
2. Worldwide Sales & Distribution (via HanWay Films): HanWay Films, the sales arm associated with RPC founder Jeremy Thomas, handles worldwide sales and distribution of RPC-produced films. Revenue is generated through licensing film rights to territorial distributors and streaming platforms.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Recorded Picture Company is an independent film production company that finances and produces auteur-driven feature films, leveraging international co-production partnerships (e.g., Rai Cinema, Le Pacte, Archimede Films), pre-sales to territorial distributors, and gap financing. It then licenses its films worldwide through its affiliated sales arm HanWay Films to theatrical distributors and streaming platforms. The company does not develop proprietary software or technology products; its offerings are films produced under the RPC banner, including a 70+ title catalog spanning five decades.

Product overview

Recorded Picture Company is an independent film production company founded by Jeremy Thomas in 1974. The company operates as a single unified production house producing and distributing films through its affiliated company HanWay Films. The product portfolio consists primarily of feature films produced by the company, including award-winning titles from the Jeremy Thomas Collection (such as The Last Emperor, Naked Lunch, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence), as well as ongoing productions with notable directors including Matteo Garrone (Pinocchio, Dogman), Takashi Miike (First Love, Blade of the Immortal, Hara-Kiri), and others. The company does not offer a technology platform or SaaS product; its offerings are exclusively film production and distribution services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Jeremy Thomas Collection A curated collection of premium classic films produced by Jeremy Thomas via Recorded Picture Company, featuring award-winning titles such as The Last Emperor (1987, nine Academy Awards including Best Picture), The Sheltering Sky, Naked Lunch, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, The Hit, Insignificance, Everybody Wins, and Blood & Wine. Targeted at distributors, festivals, and streaming platforms acquiring prestige cinema.
• Pinocchio (Live-Action Film) Matteo Garrone's live-action adaptation of Carlo Collodi's classic 1883 novel, starring Roberto Benigni as Geppetto. Features practical makeup effects and prosthetic makeup by Academy Award winner Mark Coulier. Produced by RPC and co-produced with Rai Cinema (Italy), Le Pacte (France), and Archimede Films. Targeted at theatrical distributors, film festivals, and downstream streaming platforms.
• First Love (Film) A noir-tinged yakuza film directed by Takashi Miike about a young boxer and a call girl who fall in love while caught up in a drug smuggling scheme over one night in Tokyo. Premiered at Cannes 2019 (Directors' Fortnight) and licensed to Well Go USA for North American release. Targeted at genre film distributors and streaming platforms.
• Samurai Marathon (Film) Period action film directed by Bernard Rose, set in late feudal Japan, featuring a score by Philip Glass and costume designs by Oscar winner Emi Wada. Licensed to Well Go USA for North American theatrical release. Targeted at genre/specialty distributors and streaming platforms.
• 2 Win (Film) Motorsport thriller directed by Stefano Mordini, inspired by true events of the fierce rivalry between Germany (Audi) and Italy (Lancia) at the 1983 Rally World Championships. Stars Daniel Brühl, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Volker Bruch. Co-produced with Italian production company Lebowski and Metropolitan Films. Targeted at European theatrical distributors and streaming platforms.
• The Storms of Jeremy Thomas (Documentary) Documentary by Mark Cousins exploring the life and career of producer Jeremy Thomas, following him on his annual road trip from London to the Cannes Film Festival. Premiered at Cannes Classics 2021. Targeted at documentary distributors, festivals, and streaming platforms.
• Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus (Concert Film) Concert film directed by Neo Sora, capturing composer Ryuichi Sakamoto's final performances of 20 selections from his vast body of work. Targeted at concert/arts film distributors, festivals, and streaming platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Last Emperor won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay (1988 Oscars).
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• HanWay FilmscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHanWay Films, the sales company founded by Jeremy Thomas, handles worldwide sales, licensing, and distribution for RPC's film catalog. It pre-sells territorial rights to international distributors and manages global distribution agreements on behalf of RPC productions.
• Archimede FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian production company of Matteo Garrone. Archimede serves as a co-producer on multiple RPC films including 'Pinocchio' (2019), 'Dogman' (2018), and 'First Love' (2019), providing Italian production infrastructure and local expertise.
• Rai CinemacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian film production and distribution company. Rai Cinema co-produces and distributes RPC films in Italy, including 'Pinocchio' and 'Dogman', providing financing, production support, and Italian theatrical distribution.
• Le PactecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench production and distribution company led by Jean Labadie. Le Pacte co-produces and distributes RPC films in France, including 'Pinocchio' and 'Dogman'. Jean Labadie serves as a producer on several RPC projects.
• Well Go USA EntertainmentmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWell Go USA acquired North American theatrical rights to RPC films 'First Love' (2019) and 'Samurai Marathon' (2019), releasing them in US cinemas with digital and home entertainment follow-through.
• Magnolia PicturesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMagnolia Pictures acquired North American rights to Cannes prize-winning 'Dogman' (2018) for US theatrical release. Magnolia is a leading US distributor of international and specialty films.
• LebowskiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian production company producing '2 Win' (2022), a motorsport thriller inspired by the 1983 Rally World Championships. Lebowski leads production with RPC as a co-producer.
• Metropolitan FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer on the RPC-backed '2 Win' (2022) motorsport thriller, alongside Lebowski and RPC.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HanWay Films: Worldwide sales and distribution arm affiliated with Recorded Picture Company, founded by Jeremy Thomas. Directly comparable as an international sales agent handling territorial pre-sales and licensing of independent auteur cinema across global markets.
• See-Saw Films: UK-Australian independent production company focused on auteur-driven film and television, including Cannes-selected work. Comparable as a similarly-sized prestige independent producer with international co-production capabilities and festival-driven GTM.
• A24: US-based independent studio producing and distributing auteur-driven feature films with strong festival and awards positioning. Comparable as a prestige-focused production/distribution operation, though at materially larger scale and broader commercial footprint than RPC.
• Neon: US independent distributor-producer specializing in festival-acquired auteur and genre cinema, with multiple Palme d'Or wins. Comparable as a festival-driven prestige distribution/production operation competing for the same auteur filmmakers and territorial licensing opportunities.
• Bleecker Street: US independent film distribution and production company focused on prestige and specialty theatrical releases. Comparable as a similarly-sized independent producer-distributor of festival-acquired and auteur cinema targeting theatrical and awards audiences.
• Protagonist Pictures: London-based international sales, production, and financing company for independent cinema. Comparable as a UK-headquartered independent sales and production operation handling territorial licensing and co-productions on auteur-driven features.

Broad incumbents

• Focus Features: Major US specialty film label owned by NBCUniversal, producing and distributing prestige and art-house cinema. Comparable as a larger incumbent in the same prestige independent film space, though operating with studio-scale capital and broader genre coverage.
• Film4: UK broadcaster-backed film division producing and co-financing independent British and international cinema. Comparable as a UK-based independent film commissioning/production entity working with auteur talent, though operating as part of Channel 4's broader portfolio.
• Participant Media: US-based independent production and distribution company producing issue-driven and prestige feature films and documentaries. Comparable as a larger independent producer operating in the awards-focused film space, though with a thematic rather than purely auteur orientation.

Regional players

• MK2 Films: Paris-based independent sales, distribution, and exhibition company with a strong auteur cinema catalog. Comparable as a European independent producer-sales operation handling international rights for prestigious arthouse films, though primarily focused on French and European titles.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/recordedpicture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/recorded-picture-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Recorded Picture Company