AGAT Films and Cie

What AGAT Films and Cie does

AGAT Films & Cie (also operating as Ex Nihilo) is a Paris-based independent film production and distribution company, founded in 1986, structured as a collective of 8 associated producers. Each producer maintains an individual practice of developing, producing, and promoting the work of a specific author, while collectively sharing financial, editorial, and human resources — a model the firm describes as founded on solidarity between producers. The company's core product is an auteur-driven film catalogue spanning feature films and documentaries, with credited directors including Lucas Belvaux, Robert Guédiguian, Anne Villacèque, Dieudo Hamadi, Cédric Robion, Tudor Giurgiu, Hiner Saleem, Marina de Van, Sólveig Anspach, Rusudan Chkonia, and Isabelle Czajka, with international co-productions covering France, Germany, Georgia, Kurdistan/Iraq, Romania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The business operates as a professional services / licensing hybrid. Revenue is generated through production fees, co-production splits with other producers and national film funds, and downstream distribution of finished films across three windows: theatrical release in cinemas, television broadcast (most notably through a core partnership with ARTE, the Franco-German public broadcaster), and VOD/DVD digital distribution. Films such as PAS SON GENRE (dir. Lucas Belvaux) received 2 nominations at the 2015 César Awards, providing catalogue prestige. The company markets its slate through film festivals, industry events, and direct relationships with broadcast and VOD partners, and serves a primary customer segment of independent film authors and directors seeking editorial and financial backing. Headcount is reported in the 11-50 range with 8 associated producers as the core productive unit.

Name

AGAT Films and Cie

Legal name

AGAT Films & Cie / Ex Nihilo

Website

https://agatfilmsetcie.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AGAT Films & Cie / Ex Nihilo is a Paris-based collective of 8 associated producers that develops, produces, and distributes author-driven French cinema, with international co-productions and broadcast partnerships including ARTE.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Production and Distribution

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Theatrical Distribution (Domestic) (MPADAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Distribution Strategy & Release Planning (MPADAAAL)

Keywords

• Film production services
• Independent cinema
• Film co-production
• Film distribution
• Author-driven films

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Film Production and Co-production: AGAT Films & Cie develops, produces, and co-produces films with authors and directors. Revenue is generated through production agreements, co-production deals with other companies, and distribution contracts. The collective structure involves financial solidarity among the 8 associated producers.
2. Film Distribution: Distribution of produced films through theatrical release, television broadcast (including ARTE partnership), and VOD/DVD platforms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

AGAT Films & Cie / Ex Nihilo is a collective of 8 associated film producers that develop, support, produce, and promote author-driven films. The company operates a dual practice: an individual production practice per producer, and a collective practice based on financial, editorial, and human solidarity. Distribution is handled through theatrical release, television broadcast (including ARTE), and VOD/DVD platforms.

Product overview

AGAT Films & Cie / Ex Nihilo is a collective of 8 associated film producers based in France. The company operates under two complementary practices: an individual practice focused on developing, supporting, producing and valorizing author-driven films, and a collective practice founded on financial, editorial and human solidarity between producers. Their portfolio includes a diverse catalog of films spanning various genres and directors, with distribution capabilities through theatrical releases, VOD/DVD, and television broadcasts including ARTE partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Film Production Services
• Film Co-Production Services
• Film Distribution (VOD/DVD)
• Cinematic (Theatrical) Distribution
• Film Catalogue (Collective Production Portfolio)

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• ARTEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorARTE is a European public channel network. AGAT Films & Cie has a broadcast partnership with ARTE for television distribution of produced films. Notable films distributed through ARTE include 'Le Sarcophage Glace de Mongolie' directed by Cédric Robion.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Haut et Court: Haut et Court is a French independent production and distribution company with a strong auteur and documentary catalog. Closely comparable to AGAT Films in mission, producer-led structure, and distribution across cinema and broadcast channels.
• Le Pacte: Le Pacte is a French independent film sales and distribution company specializing in auteur cinema with theatrical release capabilities. Comparable to AGAT Films in focus on independent European auteur films and multi-channel distribution (cinema, TV, VOD).
• MK2 Films: MK2 is a French independent film production, sales, and distribution company with a strong auteur catalog and theatrical/VOD distribution. Directly comparable to AGAT Films as a Paris-based boutique producer-distributor serving the auteur cinema segment.
• Wild Bunch: Wild Bunch is a French-European film sales, production, and distribution company active in independent and auteur cinema. Comparable to AGAT Films as a French-headquartered competitor combining production with international sales and distribution.
• Pyramide Distribution: Pyramide Distribution is a French independent sales and theatrical distribution company focused on auteur and art-house cinema. Comparable to AGAT Films in serving independent European directors through theatrical, TV, and digital channels.

Broad incumbents

• Gaumont: Gaumont is one of France's oldest and largest film production and distribution companies with a global catalog. Comparable as a French film producer-distributor, though much larger and broader in commercial scope than AGAT Films' auteur focus.
• StudioCanal: StudioCanal is a leading European film production and distribution company owned by Canal+. Comparable to AGAT Films as a French/European film producer-distributor, but much larger and integrated with a major streaming/broadcast parent.
• Pathé Films: Pathé is a major French film production, distribution, and exhibition company with a global footprint. Comparable in core activity (French film production and distribution) but operates at significantly larger scale and broader commercial scope than AGAT Films.

Others

• Unifrance: Unifrance is the French agency promoting French film and audiovisual content internationally. Related to AGAT Films as a key ecosystem enabler supporting international sales and festival exposure for French auteur productions.
• ARTE France Cinéma: ARTE France Cinéma is the film production arm of ARTE, AGAT Films' core broadcast partner. Related as a co-producer and commissioning entity for many of the same auteur projects that AGAT Films develops, with overlapping director rosters.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Agat_ExNihilo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 AGAT Films and Cie