Bellota Films

What Bellota Films does

Bellota Films is an independent French film production company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Paris at 14 rue du Moulin Joly (11th arrondissement). The company is owned and operated by co-founders Hind Saïh and Dominique Barneaud, both producers with approximately 20 years of prior experience, supported by a lean core team of six members. Its core activity is documentary film production, with secondary lines in fiction feature films for theatrical release and emerging digital formats developed in partnership with Red Corner.

The company's revenue is generated through three streams: documentary commissions and coproductions with French and international public broadcasters, theatrical feature films distributed via sales agents and festival circuits, and digital-first content for new media platforms. Key commissioning clients include France Télévisions (France 2, France 3, France 5, Slash), ARTE, Canal+ group, Public Sénat, LCP, Radio-Canada, and Movistar Plus. Distribution and sales are handled through partnerships with Memento Films International, The Party Film Sales, Wildbunch TV, Mediawan Rights, and Haut et Court. Productions are financed in part through French and European public film funds including CNC, Creative Europe MEDIA, Île-de-France region, Normandie region, SODEC, the Polish Film Institute, and ICAA.

Bellota Films pursues an auteur-driven editorial line focused on contemporary social, historical, and cultural subjects, with festival-circuit recognition at Venice, Cannes, TIFF, Hot Docs, Visions du Réel, and FICAB. The company operates with a deliberately light structure intended to channel maximum financing toward creative output rather than overhead. It has no external funding rounds, parent company, or institutional investors disclosed in the source materials, and ownership remains entirely founder-led following the addition of a third producer, Nasser Sari, in 2023.

Name

Bellota Films

Legal name

BELLOTA FILMS SAS

Website

https://bellotafilms.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bellota Films is an independent Paris-based film production company founded in 2009, specializing in auteur-driven documentaries, fiction features, and digital series for French and international public broadcasters and theatrical distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries (MPADADAJ)

Keywords

• Documentary film production
• Fiction feature films
• International coproduction
• Television documentary series
• Film distribution services

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Documentary Production for Television: Production of documentary films commissioned by French and international TV channels, generating revenue through production fees, broadcast rights, and coproduction contributions
2. Cinema / Theatrical Feature Films: Development and production of feature films for theatrical release, either as lead producer or minority co-producer, with revenue from theatrical distribution, international sales, and festival licensing
3. New Media Formats: Development of emerging digital formats for new media platforms, notably in partnership with Red Corner, targeting streaming and digital-first audiences

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Bellota Films is an independent film production company that develops and produces documentary films and fiction features for French and international television broadcasters and cinema. The company operates three product lines: documentary films (features and series), fiction features for theatrical release (as lead producer or minority co-producer), and digital/new media formats developed in partnership with Red Corner. Revenue is generated through production fees, broadcast rights, coproduction contributions, and international sales.

Product overview

Bellota Films is an independent French film production company founded in 2009, specializing in documentary filmmaking as its core activity while also developing fiction feature films and digital/new media formats. The company operates three main product lines: Documentary Films (including feature documentaries and series for television and cinema), Fiction Feature Films (theatrical productions and international co-productions), and Digital Series/New Media Formats (web-native content developed with partner Red Corner). The company produces content for French and international broadcasters including France Télévisions, ARTE, and various international partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Documentary Films Feature-length and short documentary productions for French and international television broadcasters and cinema, covering social issues, history, science, culture, and contemporary society. Titles include Ballroom, Sorcières: Chronique d'un Massacre, GEN_, and Le Cinéma de Terry Gilliam.
• Fiction Feature Films Feature-length fiction films developed as lead producers and international co-productions for theatrical release, including titles such as A Sort of Family and Sueño Florianópolis.
• Digital Series and New Media Formats Emerging digital formats developed in partnership with Red Corner, including web-native documentary series such as La Fabrique des Sorcières, targeting streaming and digital-first audiences.
• Television Documentary Series Multi-episode documentary series for television, including productions on topics such as cancer research (Cancer, les chemins de la recherche), China natural wonders (Le Gouffre de Hanzhong), and European political satire (Les mots pour le rire).

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

47 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Red CornercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Red Corner for developing emerging digital formats for new media. Bellota Films develops content specifically for new media platforms in partnership with Red Corner.
• ARTEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor coproduction partner for documentary and feature film projects. ARTE France is involved in multiple Bellota Films productions including 'La Fabrique des Sorcières' and 'La Poupée Noire'.
• France TélévisionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary broadcast partner including France 2, France 3, France 5, and Slash. Multiple productions including 'Autour de Samir', 'La Fabrique des Sorcières', and documentary catalog titles.
• CNC (Centre National du Cinéma)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench National Center for Cinema provides funding support and recognition for French film productions. Bellota Films productions receive CNC support.
• EcoProdminorOthersBellota Films adheres to the EcoProd charter demonstrating environmental commitment in film production practices.
• Collectif 50/50minorOthersBellota Films adheres to the Collectif 50/50 charter demonstrating commitment to gender equality in the film industry.
• Agat Films & Ex NihilominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical connection through Dominique Barneaud who worked at Agat Films & Ex Nihilo before joining Bellota Films. Collaborative network relationship.
• Public SenatminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench parliamentary channel broadcast partner for documentary content.
• Canal+ GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench private broadcaster including Canal+, Planète, and Ciné+ channels. Distribution partner for documentary content.
• LCP (La Chaîne Parlementaire)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench parliamentary channel broadcast partner for documentary content.
• Radio-Canada / ICI RDIminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian public broadcaster international distribution partner.
• Procirep-AngoaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench producers' guild organizations providing support for 'La Poupée Noire' production.
• Intuitive PicturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian production company, coproducer on 'The Wanted 18'.
• ONF (Office National du Film du Canada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian national film board, coproducer on 'The Wanted 18'.
• Patagonik Film GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArgentine film production company, international coproduction partner.
• Mediawan RightsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench sales agent and distribution partner for international rights.
• The Party Film SalesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales agent for documentary and feature film catalog.
• Memento Films InternationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational film distribution and sales agent.
• Wildbunch TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational TV distribution and sales agent.
• Kanaki FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish production company, coproducer on 'Bayo Bayo Baby'.
• Elefant FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss production company, coproducer on 'The Signal' and 'Stela'.
• EITB (Euskal Irrati Telebista)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBasque public broadcaster, coproduction partner for 'Bayo Bayo Baby'.
• RTBF (Radio Télévision Belge Francophone)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBelgian French-language public broadcaster, international distribution partner.
• YLEminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinnish public broadcaster, international distribution partner.
• NHKminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese public broadcaster, international distribution partner.
• SODEC (Société de développement des entreprises culturelles)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec cultural enterprise development agency, film production support.
• Creative Europe MEDIAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU funding program for European film and audiovisual industry. Supported productions include 'The Birth of French Luxury' and 'The Wanted 18'.
• Instituto de las Artes del Audiovisual (ICAA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish audiovisual institute providing support for film productions.
• Polish Film InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish national film institution, coproduction partner for 'Quatre Saisons aux Tatras'.
• 2M (Morocco)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoroccan television broadcaster, international distribution partner.
• SNRT (Société Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoroccan national broadcaster, international distribution partner.
• Vulcan ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction company supporting documentary 'School of Hope'.
• Musée d'OrsayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in co-development of 'La Poupée Noire' documentary project.
• Kijora FilmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction company for 'Quatre Saisons aux Tatras'.
• Caméra MagicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoproduction company for 'Nous, Ukraine'.
• Tempio FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoproduction company for 'Nous, Ukraine'.
• Haut et CourtminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench film distribution company.
• Rai CinemaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian film production and distribution company.
• Bossa Nova FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian production company, coproducer on 'A Sort of Family'.
• STARONminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish production company, coproducer on 'A Sort of Family'.
• 27FilmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational production company, coproducer on 'A Sort of Family'.
• FSA / ANcineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian film agency, international coproduction support.
• Île-de-FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIle-de-France region provides film production funding support.
• La Région NormandieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNormandy region provides film production funding support.
• La ProdminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoroccan production company, coproducer on 'School of Hope'.
• Potemkine FilmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational film distribution company.
• Dar FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalestinian production company, coproducer on 'The Wanted 18'.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Point du Jour: Paris-based independent production company producing documentaries for French and international television. Closely matches Bellota's model of broadcaster-funded documentary production with auteur focus.
• Zadig Films: Paris-based independent production company specializing in documentary and auteur cinema with strong international coproduction activity. Comparable in scale and editorial positioning to Bellota, working with ARTE, France Télévisions, and international broadcasters.
• Gedeon Programmes: French independent production company focused on documentaries and television films, with strong festival pedigree and long-standing broadcaster relationships. Directly comparable in format, customer base, and editorial approach to Bellota.
• Les Films d'Ici: Established French independent production company with a strong documentary and auteur film catalog. Closely comparable to Bellota in target customers (French public broadcasters), business model, and artistic positioning.
• Play Film: French production and distribution company where co-founder Hind Saïh worked for ten years before founding Bellota. Direct predecessor relationship and similar positioning in documentary and auteur cinema.
• Haut et Court: French distribution and production company handling auteur cinema including Bellota's theatrical releases. Directly comparable in festival-driven auteur positioning and French theatrical distribution activity.
• Memento Films International: French production and international sales company handling both documentary and fiction films, including Bellota titles. Comparable in international sales activity, festival positioning, and coproduction reach.
• Temps Noir: Paris-based documentary production company working with French public broadcasters and producing investigative and contemporary-issue documentaries. Closely matches Bellota's editorial line and broadcaster commissioning model.
• Films du Worso: Independent French production company producing documentaries and fiction films with international coproduction and festival focus. Directly comparable editorial positioning and customer base to Bellota.
• Agat Films & Ex Nihilo: Major French independent production company producing documentaries, fiction, and television films. Dominique Barneaud worked there from 2000-2010, and Bellota's accountant came from Agat; both companies compete for the same French public broadcaster commissions and auteur projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bellota-films

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Bellota Films