KMBO

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.

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

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, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. VOD Licensing: Video-on-demand licensing through platforms including Canal VOD, Filmo TV, iTunes, Google Play, Orange VOD, Rakuten TV, and Universcine.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ADAGEcoreTechnology or IntegrationEducational 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.
• ARTEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDVD distribution partner for KMBO films through ARTE's boutique platform.
• CulturaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDVD distribution partner for KMBO films through Cultura retail stores.
• FNACcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDVD distribution partner for KMBO films through FNAC video department.
• Canal VODcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVOD platform for KMBO film streaming.
• iTunes/Apple TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVOD platform for KMBO film streaming through Apple TV.
• Google PlaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVOD platform for KMBO film streaming through Google Play.
• Rakuten TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVOD platform for KMBO film streaming.
• UniverscineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVOD platform for KMBO film streaming.
• Filmo TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVOD subscription service for KMBO films.
• Orange VODminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVOD platform for KMBO film streaming through Orange.
• CinéfeelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDVD distribution partner for KMBO films.
• CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l'image animée)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench National Center for Cinema support, providing funding and support for foreign language film production through aide aux films en langue étrangère.
• Europe Creative MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union creative media program supporting film production and distribution across Europe.
• EurimagescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean film fund providing co-production support for KMBO productions including Singing Women and Imagine.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kmbofilms

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 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 KMBO