LES FILMS DU BILBOQUET

What LES FILMS DU BILBOQUET does

Les Films du Bilboquet is an independent French documentary and fiction film production company, headquartered at 3 avenue Jean-Baptiste Lebas in Roubaix (Hauts-de-France region), with 13 employees and a catalog exceeding 40 productions. Founded by Eugénie Michel Villette and later joined by Mathilde Raczymow, the company specializes in films at the intersection of genres, with a particular focus on African cinema, migration, social justice, and cultural identity, developing projects from European and African perspectives. Recent titles include ATCHA ATCHA (Locarno 2025 selection), THE HIDDEN FACE OF THE EARTH (world premiere at the 76th Berlinale, 2026), BOXING LIBREVILLE, BURN THE SEA, THE PARADE, TINSELWOOD, SANKARA IS NOT DEAD, TAAMADEN, and the stop-motion animated series CHERCHEZ LA FEMME for Arte.tv. Over 20 films in the catalog have been selected and awarded at prestigious international festivals including Berlinale, IDFA, Locarno, Visions du Réel, FID Marseille, and Cinéma du Réel.

The company's revenue model is project-based and multi-stream, combining production grants from French public institutions (CNC, Ministry of Culture, regional Pictanovo, FOPICA), African and European co-production contributions (OIF's OUI COPROD program, plus co-producers across Senegal, Gabon, Algeria, Cameroon, DRC, Mali, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Belgium, Switzerland), and downstream rights from theatrical distribution in France (via partners such as L'Atalante Films), VOD platforms (Tënk, Vimeo, Arte.tv, France.tv/Culturebox), and television broadcasting (Arte, France 3, TV5 Monde, RTS). The company maintains capital and governance ties to the documentary distribution ecosystem as a founding shareholder of Tangente Distribution and a shareholder of Tënk, and supports educational programs including the Yaoundé Film Lab workshop and master's-level teaching at Université Jules Verne (Amiens) and Université Paris 7.

The company's go-to-market is event-driven, anchored on international film festival participation, with additional reach via broadcasters, VOD platforms, and a bilingual (French/English) website. It is a member of Rhizom (Hauts-de-France producers association), Pictanovo, EWA (European Women's Audiovisual Network), Eurodoc, and the Amis du Cinéma du Réel. Its competitive positioning rests on a deep co-production network across Africa and Europe, a long-running festival track record, and specialization in cross-cultural African-European documentary and fiction cinema rather than commercial-scale production.

Name

LES FILMS DU BILBOQUET

Legal name

Les Films du Bilboquet

Website

https://lesfilmsdubilboquet.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Les Films du Bilboquet is an independent French documentary and fiction film production company based in Roubaix, producing African-themed and socially engaged cinema through international co-productions, public funding, and distribution via festivals, broadcasters, and VOD platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Film Production

NAICS

Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151), 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

Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries (MPADADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts & Culture Documentaries (MPADADAI), Non-Theatrical Distribution (Educational, Airlines, Cruise, Community) (MPADAJAJ)

Keywords

• Documentary film production
• International co-productions
• African cinema
• Film distribution rights
• Broadcast licensing

Headquarters

HQ city

Roubaix

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Film Production: Producing documentary and fiction films, with co-production arrangements involving international partners. Revenue derived from production grants, festival selections, and distribution deals.
2. Distribution Rights: Theatrical releases in France, international festival distributions, and VOD licensing through platforms like Vimeo, Tënk, and Arte.tv
3. Broadcasting Rights: Television broadcasting agreements with French and international broadcasters including France 3, Arte, TV5 Monde, RTS, and regional channels

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Les Films du Bilboquet is an independent French production company that develops, finances, produces, and distributes documentary and fiction films with a specialization in African themes, migration, cultural identity, and social issues. The company operates through international co-productions with European and African partners, then routes completed films through international festivals, theatrical release, VOD platforms, and television broadcasters to generate licensing and royalty revenue.

Product overview

Les Films du Bilboquet is an independent French film production company founded by Eugénie Michel Villette and joined by Mathilde Raczymow. The company specializes in producing documentaries and fiction films, particularly those exploring African themes, migration, social justice, and cultural identity. Their portfolio includes documentary films such as BURN THE SEA, BOXING LIBREVILLE, THE PARADE, TINSELWOOD, CHERCHEZ LA FEMME (animated series), EVERY WALL IS A DOOR, THE POSITIVE ENERGY OF GODS, SANKARA IS NOT DEAD, OUR QUIET PLACE, NA CHINA, TAAMADEN, IN MANSOURAH YOU SEPARATED US, MIDDLE EARTH, VIKKEN, L'ULTIMU SOGNU, COMMON BIRDS, MY PAPER LIFE, NOT ALL OF ME WILL DIE, THE BOOK PEDDLER, ON ZENITH'S EDGE, PRISON PROMISE, POSTED, THE NIGHT FALL ON EUROPE, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE EAST, 47° NORTH, MAY'S BUSH, PRISCILLE, WORLD WORLD WORLD, TOUT RESTE À CONSTRUIRE, and ANDROMEDAS. The company also produces fiction films including GARIBOU. Beyond production, they support the YAOUNDE FILM LAB workshop and are founding members of TANGENTE DISTRIBUTION. Their films are distributed through platforms like VOD (Vimeo, Tënk, Arte.tv, France.tv) and cinema releases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ATCHA ATCHA Documentary by Mamadou Dia following students at the École des Sables dance school in Senegal, founded and directed by Germaine Acogny. A 60-minute color production in French and English, co-produced with Joya Didi and Maayo.
• BURN THE SEA Documentary by Nathalie Nambot and Maki Berchache exploring migration, revolution, and freedom through the story of a young Tunisian migrant.
• BOXING LIBREVILLE Documentary by Amédée Pacôme Nkoulou following a young boxer in Libreville, Gabon during the 2016 presidential elections.
• THE PARADE Documentary by Mehdi Ahoudig and Samuel Bollendorff following characters preparing for a local parade in Northern France.
• TINSELWOOD Documentary by Marie Voignier exploring the legacy of colonial exploitation in Southeast Cameroon and its impact on local communities.
• THE HIDDEN FACE OF THE EARTH Documentary by Arnaud Alain, premiered at the 76th Berlinale (Panorama).
• CHERCHEZ LA FEMME Stop-motion animated series by Julie Gavras featuring a paper silhouette woman correcting male-dominated history, available on Arte.tv.
• SANKARA IS NOT DEAD Documentary by Lucie Viver following a poet traveling Burkina Faso's rail line exploring Thomas Sankara's political legacy.
• NA CHINA Documentary by Marie Voignier following African traders in Guangzhou, China.
• TAAMADEN Documentary by Seydou Cissé following West African immigrants in Spain maintaining connections with spiritual marabouts.
• PRISON PROMISE

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 films selected and awarded at prestigious international festivals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Joya DidicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of ATCHA ATCHA documentary film by Mamadou Dia about École des Sables dance school in Senegal
• MaayocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of ATCHA ATCHA and COUMBA feature film by Mamadou Dia
• Vià93minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroadcasting partner for ATCHA ATCHA
• Ministry of CulturecoreOthersGovernment funding partner for ATCHA ATCHA through Ministry of Culture
• FinalCut VeniceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-production support partner for ATCHA ATCHA
• FOPICAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding/support partner for ATCHA ATCHA
• OIF (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents the OUI COPROD documentary program for OIF; supports African cinema projects
• Tact Production (France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of ALEA JACARANDAS by Hassen Ferhani
• Bande à Part (Suisse)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss co-producer of ALEA JACARANDAS by Hassen Ferhani
• Guelta (Algérie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlgerian co-producer of ALEA JACARANDAS
• Centre Vidéo de Bruxelles (Belgique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of I EAT WITH TWO HEARTS by Natyvel Pontalier
• Princesse M Productions (Gabon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGabonese co-producer for multiple films including I EAT WITH TWO HEARTS and BOXING LIBREVILLE
• Kit Film (Haïti)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of JOB 1 VERSET 21 by Samuel Suffren
• Molakisi Films (RDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of KIVU by Elise Sawasawa from Democratic Republic of Congo
• Michigan FilmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of KOLONIE 7 by Pauline Fonsny
• La Société des ApachescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of ROCKETLAND by Fabien Benoît
• Ejo CinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of BENIMANA feature film by Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo
• OgwelicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of BENIMANA feature film and LA JEUNE FILLE ET LE MOKOUKOUÉ short film
• Quarta Feira FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of BENIMANA feature film
• Rita ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of TO THE MOON AND BACK by Elisa Gomez Alvarez
• BinisayacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of TO THE MOON AND BACK by Elisa Gomez Alvarez
• Rhizom (Association de producteurs des Hauts-de-France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the producer association in Hauts-de-France region
• PictanovocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Pictanovo, regional film support organization in Hauts-de-France
• Amis du Cinéma du RéelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the association of documentary cinema friends
• EWA (European Women's Audiovisual Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of European Women's Audiovisual Network
• EurodoccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Eurodoc documentary network
• Tangente DistributioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounding member of Tangente Distribution for film diffusion; Les Films du Bilboquet is a founding shareholder
• TënkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShareholder in Tënk.fr VOD platform for documentary distribution
• Yaoundé Film LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports the Yaoundé Film Lab workshop in Cameroon
• Université de Yaoundé I & Tara GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports the master's program in Cinema at Université de Yaoundé I & Tara Group; represents OUI COPROD documentary program for OIF
• Université Jules Verne (Amiens)minorOthersEugénie Michel-Villette teaches in the master pro program
• Université Paris 7minorOthersMathilde Raczymow teaches in the master pro program
• ADV Productions (Belgique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian co-producer of BOXING LIBREVILLE
• TV5 MondecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroadcasting partner for BOXING LIBREVILLE with participation
• France 3 Nord Pas-de-CalaiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-producer with France 3 Nord Pas-de-Calais and Pictanovo for THE PARADE
• Kopa HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of TINSELWOOD by Marie Voignier
• Joon FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of TINSELWOOD by Marie Voignier
• L'Atalante FilmscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTheatrical distributor of BURN THE SEA, released November 9, 2016
• ADV ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian co-producer of BOXING LIBREVILLE by Amédée Pacôme Nkoulou

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ARTE: Public Franco-German broadcaster that is the company's largest commissioning partner; defines the editorial and funding framework within which the company operates and competes for slots.
• Tënk: Major French documentary-focused VOD platform; Les Films du Bilboquet is a shareholder, so not a pure peer, but Tënk is the dominant distributor in this ecosystem and the primary platform for the company's catalogue.

Direct peers

• Agat Films & Cie: Independent French documentary and fiction production company with a similarly broad international co-production footprint, strong relationships with French broadcasters, and festival-circuit focus.
• Les Films d'Ici: Major French independent documentary and creative documentary production company with comparable festival-circuit positioning, international co-production structures, and partnerships with Arte. Closest scale and model peer in the French independent documentary space.
• Zadig Productions: French independent documentary production company specializing in international co-productions and auteur documentaries, often distributed via Arte and Tënk. Comparable in scale, model, and broadcaster relationships.
• Point du Jour: French documentary production company producing socially engaged, often international films for Arte and other broadcasters. Operates in the same funding ecosystem with comparable project-based structure.
• Memento Films Production: Paris-based independent production company handling documentary and fiction features for international festival and theatrical release. Comparable distribution philosophy and broadcaster partnerships.
• Andolfi: Independent French production company producing documentary and fiction films with international co-production partnerships; matches Les Films du Bilboquet in size, model, and auteur-driven approach.
• Mila Production: French production company specializing in international co-productions, including African-themed documentaries. Operates within the same OIF/EWA ecosystem and pursues similar festival-circuit positioning.

Emerging players

• L'Atalante Films: French independent film distributor that has theatrically released Les Films du Bilboquet titles (e.g., BURN THE SEA); a comparable-scale intermediary in the same independent French documentary ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/p/DFdjJDmgaFN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/les-films-du-bilboquet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 LES FILMS DU BILBOQUET