A Film Company

What A Film Company does

A Film Company GmbH is a privately held Swiss independent film production company founded in 2015 and headquartered at Birmensdorferstrasse 5, CH-8004 Zurich. Operating as a micro-boutique with 1-10 employees under producer Valentin Greutert (who previously produced films under HesseGreutert Film), the company develops and produces independent feature films, documentaries, and limited web series across a broad range of genres and themes, without restriction to specific markets or formats. Its catalog of over 17 productions spans 2006 to 2024 and includes titles such as Mad Heidi (Swissploitation genre feature, 2022), Paradise War – The Bruno Manser Story (international co-production shot across 3 continents, 2019), This Kind of Hope (CH/D documentary, 2023), One Way Trip 3D (one of the first European stereoscopic 3D films, 2011), and ThuleTuvalu (over 50 international festival participations).

The company also co-developed KOSMA, a proprietary film production financial management software with four integrated modules (calculation, financing, cash flow, cost control), claimed unique in the market and licensed via APMS Software. Technically, production relies on conventional cinema workflows with selective use of S3D stereoscopic technology for select projects. Distribution is executed through a multi-territory network of regional partners (Ascot Elite Entertainment for Switzerland/Germany, Thimfilm for Austria, Elite Film AG and Präsens Film in Switzerland, Swissploitation Films internationally, TrustNordisk ApS internationally, MK2 globally) and world sales agents (Lightning Entertainment, Submarine Entertainment), supplemented by direct-to-consumer VOD rentals via the company website (vhx.tv) and direct DVD sales.

The business model is project-based: revenue derives from one-time production service fees, distribution royalties from licensed partners, and transaction-based direct VOD/DVD sales through the company storefront. Financing for individual productions is assembled from multiple Swiss and German public sources including Filmstiftung Zürich, SRF/SRG SSR, Bundesamt für Kultur, Kulturfonds Suissimage, MDM, and RBB, alongside international co-productions with Superfilm (Vienna), Muse Entertainment (Montreal), and Departures Film (Germany). The go-to-market motion is event-driven: films are premiered at major international festivals (Zurich, Solothurn, Locarno, Berlinale, Hot Docs, Slamdance, BIFFF) before broader release through distribution partners and direct rental channels.

Name

A Film Company

Legal name

A Film Company GmbH

Website

https://afilmcompany.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

A Film Company is a privately held Swiss independent film production company founded in 2015 by producer Valentin Greutert, producing feature films, documentaries, and limited web series for festival, theatrical, and direct-to-consumer VOD release across European and international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Film Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Feature-Length Documentaries (MPADADAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Arts & Culture Documentaries (MPADADAI)

Keywords

• Independent film production
• Feature film production
• Documentary production
• Film distribution services
• Film financing software

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

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 Services: Developing and producing independent feature films and documentaries. Films are released through theatrical distribution and VOD platforms.
2. Film Distribution and Rental: Revenue from distribution partnerships with Ascot Elite Entertainment, Thimfilm, MK2, TrustNordisk, and direct-to-consumer rental through their website platform (vhx.tv). DVDs also sold via email order.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

A Film Company develops and produces independent feature films and documentaries under the direction of producer Valentin Greutert. Films are released first through major international festivals and subsequently via territory-specific distribution partners (Ascot Elite, Thimfilm, TrustNordisk, MK2, Swissploitation Films) and direct-to-consumer VOD rentals and DVDs through the company website. The company also co-developed KOSMA, a proprietary film production financial management software.

Product overview

A Film Company is a Swiss independent film production company founded in 2015 under the direction of producer Valentin Greutert. The company produces independent feature films and documentaries, pursuing an individual production philosophy not limited to specific genres or markets. The product portfolio consists of two core offerings: Feature Films (narrative productions spanning comedy, thriller, drama, and genre films like the Swissploitation film Mad Heidi) and Documentaries (factual productions covering music, environment, politics, and cultural subjects). Additionally, the company co-developed KOSMA, a professional software for film production financial planning and control with four modules (calculation, financing, cash flow, cost control). The company also produces interactive Web Series content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Independent Feature Films Original feature-length fiction films produced by A Film Company, including titles such as Mad Heidi, Paradise War – The Bruno Manser Story, Zauberer, Amateur Teens, Viktoria, One Way Trip (3D), Tag am Meer, and Two Hookers & A Bitch. Produced for theatrical and VOD distribution through partners in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and internationally.
• Independent Documentaries Original documentary films produced by A Film Company, including This Kind of Hope, ThuleTuvalu, Rocksteady – The Roots of Reggae, Max Frisch Citoyen, Trading Paradise, and Paul Bowles: The Cage Door Is Always Open. Topics span music history, environmental issues, political subjects, and cultural portraits.
• Web Series (Roiber und Poli) Interactive multi-part web series production, including the 10-part series Roiber und Poli (Robbers and Cops) directed by Patrick Karpiczenko, distributed online.
• KOSMA Film Production Financial Management Software Professional software co-developed by Valentin Greutert for planning and controlling film production finances, offering four integrated modules (calculation, financing, cash flow, cost control). Claimed to be the only software on the market with this combination of functionalities. Sold via APMS Software (apms-software.com).
• Direct VOD Film Rentals Direct-to-consumer video-on-demand rental service for A Film Company catalog titles, operated via the company website (vhx.tv integration), allowing individual film rental to end consumers.
• DVD Sales Physical DVD sales of selected catalog titles offered via direct email order, with region-based unit pricing for Switzerland, Europe, and overseas customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zurich Film Prize 2015 for Amateur Teens
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Superfilm (Vienna)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian co-production partner for multiple films including One Way Trip (3D), Zauberer, and Mad Heidi. Co-produced with Valentin Greutert and Simon Hesse.
• Ascot Elite EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Switzerland and Germany. Distributed One Way Trip (3D) and other films.
• ThimfilmcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Austria. Distributed One Way Trip (3D) and other films.
• Lightning EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld sales agent for One Way Trip (3D). Handles international distribution.
• Submarine EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld sales agent for Paul Bowles documentary.
• Muse EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer for Rocksteady documentary (Montreal, Canada). Partnership with Valentin Greutert and Betty Palik.
• MK2coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal distribution for Rocksteady - The Roots of Reggae documentary.
• Departures FilmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman co-production partner for This Kind of Hope documentary. Thomas Kràl as co-producer.
• TrustNordisk ApScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distribution partner for Paradise War - The Bruno Manser Story.
• Swissploitation FilmscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distribution partner for Mad Heidi film.
• Präsens FilmcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwitzerland distribution partner for Mad Heidi.
• Elite Film AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwitzerland distribution partner for Paradise War film.
• CineworxminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Trading Paradise documentary in Switzerland.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hugofilm Productions: Bern-based Swiss independent production company with a similar festival-driven, genre-diverse slate and comparable team size. Direct competitor for Swiss public film funding and festival placements.
• Maximage: Swiss production and international sales company handling independent feature and documentary films with festival orientation and European sales-agent distribution.
• Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion: Long-standing Zurich-based independent Swiss film production company producing both fiction and documentary features. Closely comparable in scale, geography, and mixed-genre indie portfolio orientation.
• C-Films: Swiss independent film producer and co-producer with arthouse and international co-production orientation. Similar reliance on public funding and European co-production rails.
• Contrast Film: Zurich-based independent Swiss production house producing feature films and documentaries with festival focus and international co-production partners — a closely analogous boutique operation.

Broad incumbents

• Superfilm: Austrian production company and repeat co-production partner of A Film Company. Comparable genre-diverse indie slate and similar funding-mix model, slightly larger operation.
• TrustNordisk: Danish international sales and distribution company handling European indie titles. Acts as a sales-agent peer in the same international distribution channel A Film Company uses.
• MK2: French independent film production, distribution, and exhibition group with global reach. Functions as a comparable international sales partner for A Film Company's documentary titles.
• Präsens Film: Established Swiss film distribution and production company; a distribution partner for A Film Company (Mad Heidi) and a broader incumbent in the Swiss indie space.

Regional players

• Frenetic Films: Swiss film distribution and production company focused on arthouse and independent European cinema for the domestic market. Comparable in Swiss indie ecosystem participation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 A Film Company