Kinovista

What Kinovista does

Kinovista is a Paris-based independent film distribution and production company founded in 2007 by Charles-Evrard Tchekhoff. The company operates two revenue streams: theatrical film distribution of international titles into the French market (managing acquisition, marketing, prints, and cinema bookings on a one-time license basis), and film production and co-financing introduced in 2016 (developing European projects and co-producing international titles with partners including Hype Film, Look Film Productions, Mandarin Cinéma, and Scope Pictures).

The catalog spans 50+ titles across drama, thriller, horror, art-house, and documentary genres, with films sourced from 20+ countries of origin across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Caucasus, and Oceania. Distribution flows through French exhibitors, with co-distribution support from Bac Films, Zinc, and Diaphana Distribution, and worldwide rights handled by international sales agents including Charades, Memento, Wild Bunch, and Films Boutique. Festival placements at Cannes (2018 Leto, 2021 The Innocents), Venice (2017 Nico 1988, 2019 The Nightingale, 2021 Le Capitaine Volkonogov s'est échappé), Berlin (2018, 2023), and SXSW (2022) define the company's prestige positioning.

The business is project-based and B2B in distribution channels, with relationship capital rather than technology infrastructure as the operating asset. Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees, there is no external equity funding, no parent ownership, and the founder remains Managing Director. Public film financing access (CNC, Eurimages, Creative Europe MEDIA) and relationships with international sales agents provide the structural cost-of-capital advantage that supports the co-production model.

Name

Kinovista

Legal name

KINOVISTA

Website

https://kinovista.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kinovista is a Paris-based independent film distribution and production company founded in 2007. It theatrically distributes international auteur films in France and co-produces European projects, working with French exhibitors, international sales agents, and public film funds to bring foreign titles to French audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Distribution and Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Theatrical Distribution (International) (MPADAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Sales & Licensing (Territory Pre-Sales) (MPADAJAC), Arts & Culture Documentaries (MPADADAI)

Keywords

• Film distribution
• Film production
• Theatrical distribution
• International co-production
• Art-house cinema

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Film Distribution: Theatrical distribution of films in France, including marketing, prints, and cinema bookings for theatrical releases
2. Film Production: Co-production and development of European and international film projects, participating in financing and creative development

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Kinovista acquires international feature films and manages their theatrical distribution in France, covering marketing, press relations, prints, and cinema bookings. Since 2016, the company has expanded into film production, co-developing and co-financing European and international film projects with production partners across Europe.

Product overview

Kinovista is a Paris-based film distribution and production company founded in 2007 by Charles-Evrard Tchekhoff. The company operates as both a film distributor and producer, offering theatrical distribution services for international feature films in France alongside film production activities. As a distributor, Kinovista manages the full distribution cycle including theatrical release, marketing, and press relations for a diverse catalog of international films spanning genres including drama, thriller, horror, documentary, and art-house cinema. Their portfolio includes productions from Russia, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Tunisia, Iran, Norway, and other countries. Since 2016, the company expanded into production, developing and financing European films and co-producing international projects. Key titles in their catalog include 'Le Maître et Marguerite', 'Limbo', 'Le Capitaine Volkonogov s'est échappé', 'Un Coup de maître', 'Leto', and 'X', among many others distributed across various years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Film Distribution Services Kinovista acquires international feature films and distributes them theatrically in France, managing the full distribution cycle from acquisition through exhibition, including marketing, press relations, prints, and cinema bookings.
• Film Production Services Since 2016, Kinovista develops and finances European films and co-produces international projects, partnering with production companies and public film funds such as Eurimages and CNC.

Named customers4 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

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hype FilmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner on Leto (2018). Russian production company that collaborated with Kinovista on this Cannes competition film. Involved in development and financing of the project.
• Look Film ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner on Le Capitaine Volkonogov s'est échappé (2021). Russian production company involved in this Venice competition co-production.
• Homeless BobminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner on Le Capitaine Volkonogov s'est échappé, contributing to the international co-production structure.
• Forever FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner on Factory (2019). Production company involved in this international co-production.
• SharmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner on Factory (2019). Contributed to the production financing structure.
• Mandarin CinémacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner on Un Coup de maître (2023). French production company involved in this theatrical release.
• Scope PicturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner on Un Coup de maître (2023). Belgian production company in the co-production.
• Bac FilmscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench theatrical distribution partner for Leto (2018). Handled cinema distribution in France alongside Kinovista.
• ZinccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench theatrical distribution partner for Un Coup de maître (2023). Handled cinema distribution in France.
• CharadescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales agent for Leto, Un Coup de maître and other films. Handles worldwide distribution rights sales.
• MementocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales agent for Le Capitaine Volkonogov s'est échappé, handling worldwide distribution rights.
• Wild BunchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales agent and co-producer for Factory (2019), handling worldwide distribution.
• Films BoutiquecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational sales agent and co-production partner for Les Ombres persanes. Handles worldwide distribution rights.
• Diaphana DistributioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-distributor for Les Ombres persanes in France alongside Kinovista.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Zinc (Zinc Editorial): Paris-based film distributor of arthouse and genre cinema, and a documented partner of Kinovista on Un Coup de maître. Comparable boutique scale and direct competitor for French theatrical rights on similar titles.
• Memento Films: Paris-based international sales agent and French distributor of arthouse and genre cinema, and a documented sales partner of Kinovista on Le Capitaine Volkonogov. Closely comparable in size, territory, and auteur focus, and a direct competitor for French distribution rights on similar titles.
• Diaphana Distribution: Paris-based independent French distributor of arthouse and European cinema, and a documented co-distributor with Kinovista on Les Ombres persanes. Closely comparable in catalog profile and target exhibitor base.
• Charades: Paris-based international sales company specializing in arthouse and genre films, and a documented partner of Kinovista on Leto, Un Coup de maître, and other titles. Operates as both an upstream supplier (world sales) and a competitor for French distribution rights.
• Bac Films: Independent French film distributor with a diversified arthouse and genre catalog, and a documented French distribution partner of Kinovista on Leto. Direct competitor for French theatrical rights on comparable auteur-driven projects.
• Wild Bunch: Major Paris-based international sales and distribution company with a strong auteur and genre slate, and a documented partner of Kinovista on Factory. Larger than Kinovista but competes for the same international arthouse projects and French theatrical slots.
• Films Boutique: Berlin-based international sales company focused on arthouse cinema, and a documented partner of Kinovista on Les Ombres persanes. Comparable boutique scale, sourcing from similar auteur territories (Eastern Europe, Middle East).
• Le Pacte: Paris-based independent distributor with a strong European and international arthouse catalog. Comparable size and positioning to Kinovista, competing for similar French theatrical slots.
• Pyramide Distribution: Long-standing independent French distributor specializing in European and international arthouse cinema. Direct competitor for French theatrical rights on auteur-driven titles of the type Kinovista acquires.

Emerging players

• Playtime: Paris-based film sales, distribution, and production group active in arthouse cinema. Slightly larger and broader than Kinovista, but competes for similar international arthouse projects and acts as both an upstream supplier and direct distribution competitor in France.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Kinovista1

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 Kinovista