X Verleih Ag
X Verleih AG is a Berlin-based German film distributor founded in 2000 that acquires theatrical rights and releases German and international arthouse films in German cinemas, with a long-tail catalog and a directly operated DVD/Blu-ray online shop.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What X Verleih Ag does
X Verleih AG is a Berlin-headquartered, privately held German film distribution company founded in 2000, operating as a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) without public listing. The company acquires theatrical distribution rights and releases German and international films in German cinemas, with a catalog that spans decades — from cultural milestones such as 'Lola rennt' (1998), 'Good Bye, Lenin!', 'Funny Games U.S.', 'Das weisse Band', and 'Cloud Atlas' to contemporary releases including Tom Tykwer's 'Das Licht' (which opened the 75th Berlinale in March 2025), Agnieszka Holland's 'Franz K.', and the upcoming 'Lieblingsmenschen' (2026 Audience Award at Filmfest München). Distribution is coordinated through German theatrical release campaigns, supplemented by a directly operated e-commerce shop (shop.x-verleih.de) selling DVDs, Blu-rays, and merchandise for catalog titles at unit prices around €12.90, plus press services, school/educational materials, and a consumer newsletter.
The business model rests on three revenue streams: (i) one-time theatrical licensing fees from cinema exhibitors for each acquired title, (ii) direct-to-consumer hardware sales (DVDs and Blu-rays) through the proprietary online shop, and (iii) distribution-services revenue flowing from co-production and co-financing arrangements with strategic partners, notably X Filme Creative Pool, ZDF, ARTE, Nordpolaris, Trimafilm, and Warner Bros. International and Austrian distribution are handled via partner agents (Beta Cinema for worldwide sales on 'Das Licht', Filmladen for Austria, The Playmaker for 'Don't Kill Loretta'). The go-to-market motion is sales-led: coordinated German theatrical releases, festival positioning, press/media relations, and educational outreach to schools for select titles.
Operationally, X Verleih runs as a small organization (11-50 employees) with a 2026 governance refresh — Amélie Bertin joined the Vorstand effective June 1, 2026 alongside Martin Kochendoerfer. The company holds no disclosed funding, no parent company, and no subsidiaries. Customer segments are horizontal (general German cinema audiences interested in arthouse, drama, and international co-productions); production-partner concentration on the supply side is the principal structural feature of the business rather than any end-customer concentration.
X Verleih Ag firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- X Verleih Ag
- Legal name
- X Verleih AG
- Website
- https://x-verleih.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- X Verleih AG is a Berlin-based German film distributor founded in 2000 that acquires theatrical rights and releases German and international arthouse films in German cinemas, with a long-tail catalog and a directly operated DVD/Blu-ray online shop.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
X Verleih Ag industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Film Distribution
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (512120)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Catalog / Library Distribution & Re-Release (MPADAJAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Home Entertainment Distribution (Digital: TVOD/EST) (MPADAJAE), International Sales & Licensing (Territory Pre-Sales) (MPADAJAC)
Keywords
Where X Verleih Ag is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
X Verleih Ag business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Theatrical Distribution: Revenue from cinema releases of German and international films in Germany. The company acquires distribution rights and releases films in German theaters, generating revenue through box office sales.
- Home Entertainment Sales: Sales of DVDs and Blu-rays through the company's online shop (shop.x-verleih.de). Products available include film catalog titles at various price points (e.g., 12.90 EUR for DVDs).
- Distribution Services: X Verleih distributes films produced by partner production companies including X Filme Creative Pool, in some cases in co-production with broadcasters like ZDF and ARTE.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DVD releases for catalog films |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
X Verleih Ag product offering
Product offeringCore offering
X Verleih AG acquires distribution rights for German and international films and releases them theatrically across German cinemas through coordinated release campaigns. The company supplements theatrical income by selling DVDs, Blu-rays, and related catalog merchandise through its own online shop at shop.x-verleih.de, and provides press, marketing, and educational materials for select films. Its catalog includes award-winning German and European arthouse titles such as "Lola rennt", "Good Bye, Lenin!", "Das Licht", and recent releases.
Product overview
X Verleih AG is a German film distribution company offering theatrical film distribution, an online shop for DVDs/Blu-rays/digital purchases, newsletter services, press services, educational school materials, special screenings, and script submission services. The portfolio includes recent releases such as 'Lieblingsmenschen' (feel-good comedy), 'Die andere Seite' (drama), 'Vivaldi und Ich' (historical drama), 'Good Boy' (thriller), 'Das Licht' (family drama), and 'Franz K.' (biographical drama), alongside classic titles like 'Lola rennt' and 'Good Bye Lenin!'. The company operates primarily in German-speaking territories.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Theatrical Film Distribution Acquires German theatrical distribution rights for domestic and international arthouse films and releases them in German cinemas with coordinated press and marketing campaigns.
- X Verleih Online Shop Company-operated online shop at shop.x-verleih.de selling DVDs, Blu-rays, and merchandise from the X Verleih catalog films, with standard shipping within Germany.
- Das Licht German theatrical release of the drama 'Das Licht' directed by Tom Tykwer, starring Lars Eidinger, Nicolette Krebitz, and Tala Al-Deen; opened the 75th Berlinale.
- Franz K. German theatrical release of the biographical drama about Franz Kafka directed by Agnieszka Holland, starring Idan Weiss as Kafka; Czech-German-Polish co-production.
- Good Boy – Wir wollen nur dein Bestes German theatrical release of the society thriller directed by Jan Komasa, starring Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, and Anson Boon; compared to Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange.
- Die andere Seite German theatrical release of the drama starring Nina Hoss as Hanna, a doctor who flees to the mountains; second feature by Mariko Minoguchi.
- Lieblingsmenschen (Agnes und Amir) German theatrical release of the feel-good comedy about 101-year-old Agnes and 31-year-old Iranian refugee Amir, directed by Helena Hufnagel; world premiere at Filmfest München with Audience Award National.
- Vivaldi und Ich (Primavera) German theatrical release of the historical drama about violinist Cecilia growing up at Ospedale della Pietà in 18th century Venice, mentored by Antonio Vivaldi; directorial debut of Damiano Michieletto.
- The Inspection (German theatrical release) German theatrical release of 'The Inspection' directed by Elegance Bratton, an A24 production about a gay Black man who joins the US Marines.
Companies that use X Verleih Ag
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
X Verleih Ag technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
X Verleih Ag partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- X Filme Creative PoolcoreLong-standing production partnership with X Filme Creative Pool, a major German production company behind films including 'Good Bye, Lenin!', 'Cloud Atlas', 'Das weisse Band', and 'Das Licht'. X Verleih distributes X Filme productions in German cinemas.
- ZDFcoreCo-production partner for various films including 'Lieblingsmenschen' and 'Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage'. ZDF serves as broadcaster co-producer.
- ARTEcoreEuropean cultural channel co-producer for films including 'Lieblingsmenschen', 'Die andere Seite', and 'Alter und Schönheit'. ARTE provides broadcast and co-production support.
- The PlaymakerminorInternational sales agent that acquired international sales rights for 'Don't Kill Loretta'. X Verleih distributes the film in Germany while The Playmaker handles international sales.
- FilmladenminorAustrian distribution partner for select films. Filmladen handles Austrian theatrical distribution for 'Don't Kill Loretta'.
- NordpolariscoreProduction company behind 'Lieblingsmenschen' (Liebesmenschen - Agnes und Amir). Nordpolaris produced the film with producers Fabian Halbig and Florian Kamhuber. X Verleih distributes in Germany.
- TrimafilmcoreProduction company of director Mariko Minoguchi. Trimafilm produced 'Die andere Seite' with producers Trini Götze and David Armati Lechner. X Verleih distributes in Germany.
- Warner Bros.coreDistribution partner for certain releases. Warner Bros. handles theatrical distribution for 'Franz K.' and home entertainment distribution for 'Das Licht' on behalf of X Verleih.
- X Filme Creative PoolcoreProduction company behind 'Don't Kill Loretta' alongside Dor Film. X Filme Creative Pool is known for 'Babylon Berlin'. X Verleih distributes in Germany.
- Warner Bros. Entertainment ItaliaminorProduction partner for 'Vivaldi und Ich' (Primavera). Italian production company that co-produced the film with Indigo Film. X Verleih distributes in Germany.
- Beta CinemacoreInternational/world sales agent for 'Das Licht'. Beta Cinema handles worldwide distribution outside German theatrical release by X Verleih.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
X Verleih Ag competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pandora Film GmbH: Berlin-based German arthouse film distributor with a comparable portfolio of theatrical releases, home entertainment and curated independent titles, directly competing for screens and acquisition deals with X Verleih.
- Wild Bunch Germany: German arm of European sales and distribution group Wild Bunch, handling theatrical and home entertainment for arthouse and European titles with a comparable focus to X Verleih's portfolio.
- Beta Film GmbH: Major German distribution and worldwide sales company that already partners with X Verleih (handling international sales for 'Das Licht'); operates in the same German/European arthouse distribution space with overlapping producer relationships.
- Piffl Medien GmbH: Berlin-based German distributor of arthouse, European and international films with theatrical and home entertainment operations, directly comparable to X Verleih in business model and slate profile.
- MFA+ FilmDistribution: German film distribution company handling theatrical and home entertainment releases of European and arthouse titles, with a similar portfolio profile and target customer as X Verleih AG.
- Neue Visionen Filmverleih: Berlin-based German distributor focused on quality arthouse and documentary cinema, with theatrical and home entertainment distribution; comparable in size, catalog strategy and target audience to X Verleih.
- Alamode Filmverleih: Munich-based German distributor specializing in arthouse, European and international cinema with theatrical and home entertainment distribution, closely comparable to X Verleih in catalog breadth and target audience.
- Koch Films GmbH: German independent distributor handling theatrical releases, DVD/Blu-ray and digital sales for a comparable mix of European and international arthouse titles, competing directly with X Verleih in the German market.
Emerging players
- The Match Factory: Cologne-based German international sales and distribution company with a strong arthouse portfolio; comparable in that it represents European auteur titles for theatrical and festival distribution, with partial overlap in producer relationships and target festivals.
Broad incumbents
- Studiocanal Germany: German subsidiary of European major Studiocanal (Canal+ group), distributing a broad slate of theatrical, home entertainment and library titles in Germany; overlaps with X Verleih on arthouse and catalog distribution but operates at materially larger scale.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
X Verleih Ag social profiles
Digital presenceX Verleih Ag financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
X Verleih Ag leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
X Verleih Ag funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
X Verleih Ag 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 X Verleih Ag
What does X Verleih Ag do?
X Verleih AG acquires distribution rights for German and international films and releases them theatrically across German cinemas through coordinated release campaigns. The company supplements theatrical income by selling DVDs, Blu-rays, and related catalog merchandise through its own online shop at shop.x-verleih.de, and provides press, marketing, and educational materials for select films. Its catalog includes award-winning German and European arthouse titles such as "Lola rennt", "Good Bye, Lenin!", "Das Licht", and recent releases.
Is X Verleih Ag a public or private company?
X Verleih Ag is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was X Verleih Ag founded?
X Verleih Ag was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is X Verleih Ag based?
X Verleih Ag is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does X Verleih Ag make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Theatrical Distribution is the primary driver. The others are home Entertainment Sales and distribution Services.
Who are X Verleih Ag's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pandora Film GmbH, Wild Bunch Germany, Beta Film GmbH, Piffl Medien GmbH, MFA+ FilmDistribution, Neue Visionen Filmverleih, Alamode Filmverleih and Koch Films GmbH. The Match Factory is listed as an emerging player. Studiocanal Germany is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does X Verleih Ag have an API?
No public API is recorded for X Verleih Ag.
What industry is X Verleih Ag in?
X Verleih Ag's product category is Film Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAJAK, Catalog / Library Distribution & Re-Release, with a secondary code of MPADAJAE, Home Entertainment Distribution (Digital: TVOD/EST). Its NAICS code is 51212 and its SIC code is 7822.