KMBO
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What KMBO does
KMBO is a privately-held French independent film distribution and production company headquartered in Paris (105 rue la Fayette, 75010). The company specializes in curating and distributing international arthouse cinema — including animation, documentary, drama, and limited genre content — across more than 24 source countries. Its catalog exceeds 100 titles, with active theatrical releases in 2025-2026 including Le Corset (Cannes 2026 prize winner), Noise (Korean horror-thriller), and Le Garçon qui faisait danser les collines.
The company operates a multi-channel distribution model: theatrical release via DCP (Digital Cinema Package) format to French cinemas, private screening bookings, physical DVD through retail partners (ARTE, FNAC, Cultura, Cinéfeel), and digital VOD across seven platforms (Canal VOD, Filmo TV, iTunes, Google Play, Orange VOD, Rakuten TV, Universcine). It also runs a dedicated school screening program (Séances Scolaires) integrated with the ADAGE educational platform and pass Culture public financing, serving primary and secondary school teachers. The youth-focused sub-brand Little KMBO targets families with age-appropriate content, while Le Prix Cinéma des Écoles operates as a pedagogical award initiative.
Revenue derives from theatrical distribution transaction fees, DVD retail margins, VOD licensing royalties, school screening fees (averaging 4-7 euros per student), and production co-financing. The company maintains institutional support relationships with CNC (Centre National du Cinéma), Europe Creative Media, and Eurimages. Core technology is limited to industry-standard DCP format distribution; no proprietary AI or ML capabilities are evident. The company is owned and operated independently with no disclosed external investment or parent entity.
KMBO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KMBO
- Legal name
- KMBO
- Website
- https://kmbofilms.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where KMBO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
KMBO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Theatrical Distribution: KMBO distributes films to cinemas across France, generating revenue through theatrical releases and private screening bookings for individuals, associations, libraries, schools, and corporate events.
- DVD Sales: DVD distribution through retail partners including ARTE, Cinéfeel, Cultura, and FNAC. The boutique DVD has closed but films remain available through these retailers.
- VOD Licensing: Video-on-demand licensing through platforms including Canal VOD, Filmo TV, iTunes, Google Play, Orange VOD, Rakuten TV, and Universcine.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | School screenings (séances scolaires) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
KMBO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KMBO is a French independent film distribution and production company that acquires and releases international arthouse films in France through theatrical distribution, DVD retail, and VOD streaming. The company also co-produces independent films across animation, documentary, and drama, and operates the Little KMBO youth label and a school screening program integrated with the ADAGE platform and pass Culture.
Product overview
KMBO is an independent French film distribution and production company operating a multi-platform film distribution model. The company is organized into two core divisions: KMBO Distribution (theatrical release and marketing of international independent films) and KMBO Production (film development and co-production). The company also operates Little KMBO, a sub-brand focused on youth and family cinema, and Le Prix Cinéma des Écoles, a school cinema initiative. Distribution is handled through theatrical releases in French cinemas, physical DVD sales via retail partners (ARTE, CINÉFEEL, CULTURA, FNAC), and digital VOD streaming through multiple platforms (CANAL VOD, FILMO TV, iTunes, Google Play, VOD Orange, Rakuten TV, UNIVERSCINE). The Séances Scolaires service provides school screening organization with pedagogical materials for educational use.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Little KMBO: A label dedicated to young audience content, family films, and children's cinema
Products and services
- KMBO Distribution Film distribution service handling theatrical release, marketing, and promotion of international independent films in France. Distributes films across animation, documentary, and dramatic genres to French cinemas using DCP format.
- KMBO Production Film production service developing and co-producing independent films, including feature films, documentaries, and animated works.
- Little KMBO Youth and family-focused film label dedicated to children's cinema, offering age-appropriate content for young audiences.
- Séances Scolaires (School Screenings) School screening service enabling teachers to organize cinema outings for their classes, with access to educational materials and booking support through the ADAGE platform. Average 4-7 euros per student.
- DVD and VOD Distribution Physical DVD distribution through retail partners (ARTE, Cinéfeel, Cultura, FNAC) and VOD streaming through Canal VOD, Filmo TV, iTunes, Google Play, Orange VOD, Rakuten TV, and Universcine.
Quantifiable outcome
- Le Corset won Prix Spécial du Jury Un certain regard – Festival de Cannes 2026
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use KMBO
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
KMBO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
KMBO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ADAGEcoreEducational platform integration for school screening bookings, allowing teachers to consult, reserve, and finance sessions using the pass Culture collective share for classes from 4ème to Terminale.
- ARTEcoreDVD distribution partner for KMBO films through ARTE's boutique platform.
- CulturaminorDVD distribution partner for KMBO films through Cultura retail stores.
- FNACcoreDVD distribution partner for KMBO films through FNAC video department.
- Canal VODcoreVOD platform for KMBO film streaming.
- iTunes/Apple TVcoreVOD platform for KMBO film streaming through Apple TV.
- Google PlaycoreVOD platform for KMBO film streaming through Google Play.
- Rakuten TVminorVOD platform for KMBO film streaming.
- UniverscineminorVOD platform for KMBO film streaming.
- Filmo TVminorVOD subscription service for KMBO films.
- Orange VODminorVOD platform for KMBO film streaming through Orange.
- CinéfeelminorDVD distribution partner for KMBO films.
- CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l'image animée)coreFrench National Center for Cinema support, providing funding and support for foreign language film production through aide aux films en langue étrangère.
- Europe Creative MediacoreEuropean Union creative media program supporting film production and distribution across Europe.
- EurimagescoreEuropean film fund providing co-production support for KMBO productions including Singing Women and Imagine.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KMBO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Gaumont: Historic French film and series producer-distributor with extensive theatrical and digital reach in France; larger incumbent with overlapping acquisition targets but far broader portfolio.
- StudioCanal: European film and series distributor owned by Canal+, with deep catalog and broad theatrical plus VOD reach; broader incumbent that competes for prestige titles and platform shelf space relevant to KMBO's digital exploitation.
- Pathé Films: Major French studio and distributor with a broad catalog spanning commercial and arthouse releases; broader incumbent that competes for theatrical screens and premium titles but also distributes films KMBO's customers watch.
Direct peers
- Haut et Court: Paris-based independent distributor of arthouse and auteur films with a strong documentary and animation track record, mirroring KMBO's genre mix and French theatrical focus.
- Wild Bunch: French independent film sales, distribution, and production company focused on arthouse and international cinema, directly comparable to KMBO in catalog positioning, festival-led acquisitions, and theatrical/VOD distribution in France.
- GKIDS: US independent distributor specializing in animation and international arthouse films, with theatrical release plus home-video/VOD windows; directly comparable on animation catalog curation (Annecy overlap) and youth-targeted branding.
- Pyramide Films: French independent sales and distribution company specializing in arthouse cinema with theatrical release in France and international sales, highly comparable in target audience and catalog composition.
- Bac Films: Long-standing French independent distributor active in arthouse, animation, and documentary releases, competing for similar festival titles and operating a comparable theatrical-to-VOD windowing strategy.
- Memento Films: Paris-based independent distributor and producer of international arthouse films, with overlapping genre mix (animation, documentary, drama) and similar theatrical plus VOD exploitation model in France.
Regional players
- Diaphana Distribution: Italian independent film distributor with a comparable arthouse and auteur profile; serves as a regional peer because it operates the same niche in a different national market rather than directly competing with KMBO in France.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KMBO social profiles
Digital presenceKMBO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KMBO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
KMBO subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
KMBO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KMBO M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KMBO
What does KMBO do?
KMBO is a French independent film distribution and production company that acquires and releases international arthouse films in France through theatrical distribution, DVD retail, and VOD streaming. The company also co-produces independent films across animation, documentary, and drama, and operates the Little KMBO youth label and a school screening program integrated with the ADAGE platform and pass Culture.
Is KMBO a public or private company?
KMBO is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was KMBO founded?
KMBO was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is KMBO based?
KMBO is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does KMBO make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Theatrical Distribution is the primary driver. The others are DVD Sales and VOD Licensing.
Who are KMBO's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Gaumont, StudioCanal and Pathé Films. Direct peers are Haut et Court, Wild Bunch, GKIDS, Pyramide Films, Bac Films and Memento Films. Diaphana Distribution is listed as a regional player.
Does KMBO have an API?
No public API is recorded for KMBO.