Poison Gmbh

What Poison Gmbh does

POISON GmbH is a Berlin-based, privately held German limited company (GmbH) operating two interconnected businesses: independent film production and curated art exhibitions. Founded in 2014 and led by Managing Director (Geschäftsführerin) Saralisa Volm, the company produces feature films, documentaries, short films, and experimental art films — its slate includes Fikkefuchs (2017), Schweigend steht der Wald (2022), Die Verwandlung (2015), and documentaries such as TRUTH OR DARE (2023) and A Body Like Mine (2023) — alongside themed art exhibitions such as GANG SEiGNS, bitch MATERial, and bOObs that explore gender, body, and identity. Productions have received public-broadcaster co-funding (Bayerischer Rundfunk) and regional film-fund support (Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg), with the short film Die Verwandlung recognized by the First Steps Award and nominated for the Deutscher Kamerapreis.

The company monetizes its creative output through three primary revenue streams: (1) film production and distribution via broadcast licensing, festival screenings, and direct sales of DVDs and Blu-rays; (2) art and merchandise sales — limited art editions by artists such as Julija Goyd and René Schoemakers, art books, exhibition posters, the POISON Stickeralbum, and books authored by Saralisa Volm — sold through the company's WooCommerce-powered e-commerce storefront, SHOP by POISON, with Stripe handling payments and Vimeo On Demand providing global VOD streaming; and (3) art curation and exhibitions, which generate ancillary merchandise sales. Distribution spans a WooCommerce DTC storefront (global shipping), Vimeo On Demand, German regional broadcast (Bayerischer Rundfunk), and the festival circuit (Hofer Filmtage, Achtung Berlin, and international festivals).

POISON serves two principal customer segments: individual film and art enthusiasts who purchase physical media, VOD access, and limited art editions (primary segment), and educational institutions that license DVDs for film-education use (secondary). The business model is exclusively transaction-based — unit pricing on physical goods, pay-per-view VOD rentals, and one-time broadcast licenses — with no subscription or recurring revenue component. With 1–10 employees, no disclosed funding rounds, no institutional investors, and founder-led ownership, POISON operates as a micro-studio and curated retail brand rather than a venture-scalable enterprise.

Name

Poison Gmbh

Legal name

POISON GmbH

Website

https://poison-berlin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

POISON GmbH is a Berlin-based, founder-led independent film production and art curation company that produces feature films, documentaries, and short films alongside curated exhibitions, monetizing its catalog through a WooCommerce direct-to-consumer shop, Vimeo On Demand, and broadcast licensing to German partners such as Bayerischer Rundfunk.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Film Production

NAICS

Art Dealers (459920), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151)

akta.pro primary industry

Merchandising & D2C Management (Artists) (MPAIAGAI)

Keywords

• Independent film production
• Art exhibition curation
• Film distribution
• Limited art editions
• Documentary production

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Film Production & Distribution: POISON produces feature films, documentaries, and short films. Revenue is generated through direct sales of DVDs, Blu-rays, and VOD streaming, as well as through festival screenings and broadcast licensing to channels like Bayerischer Rundfunk.
2. Art & Merchandise Sales: The company curates and sells art editions, exhibition catalogs, posters, postcards, books, and branded merchandise through their online shop. Products include limited art editions from artists like Julija Goyd and René Schoemakers, as well as books authored by Saralisa Volm.
3. Art Curation & Exhibitions: POISON curates and produces art exhibitions, generating revenue through exhibition-related merchandise sales and potentially exhibition fees or sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

POISON GmbH is a Berlin-based independent film production and art curation company that produces feature films, documentaries, short films, and art films, and curates themed art exhibitions on topics such as gender, body, and identity. The company monetizes its creative output through SHOP by POISON, a WooCommerce-powered online store selling DVDs, Blu-Rays, video-on-demand rentals, limited art editions, art books, exhibition posters, postcards, sticker albums, books authored by Managing Director Saralisa Volm, and related merchandise, with streaming delivered via Vimeo On Demand and broadcast distribution through partners such as Bayerischer Rundfunk.

Product overview

POISON GmbH is a Berlin-based film production company and art curation practice that operates as both a creative studio and an e-commerce retailer. Its core offerings are organized in two interconnected divisions: (1) Film Production — producing feature films, documentaries, short films, experimental works, and music videos, with productions such as Fikkefuchs, Schweigend steht der Wald, Die Verwandlung, and TRUTH OR DARE; and (2) Art Curation & Exhibitions — staging exhibitions that explore themes of gender, body, and identity, with associated art editions and catalogues. The company monetizes its creative output through SHOP by POISON, a WooCommerce-powered online store selling physical products (DVDs, Blu-Rays, art editions, art books, exhibition posters, postcards, bags, sticker albums, clothing) and digital products (Video on Demand via Vimeo). Notable shop-exclusive publications include books by Saralisa Volm (Das ewige Ungenügend, Mamabeat) and books related to film productions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Film Production Production of independent feature films, documentaries, short films, and art films for distribution via festivals, broadcast, VOD, and physical media; titles include Fikkefuchs (2017), Schweigend steht der Wald (2022), Die Verwandlung (2015), Truth or Dare, A Body Like Mine, Alone Together, Am Draht der Zeit, and ILSE.
• Art Curation & Exhibitions Curated art exhibitions on themes of gender, body, and identity, staged in galleries and public spaces in Berlin and other German cities, with associated exhibition merchandise; exhibitions include GANG SEiGNS, man reiche mir TROST, bitch MATERial, and bOObs – Wir zeigen Brust!
• SHOP by POISON (Online Store) Direct-to-consumer online store (WooCommerce) at shop.poison-berlin.com selling POISON's film and art productions across DVDs, Blu-Rays, Video on Demand, art editions, art books, exhibition posters, postcards, bags, notebooks, and clothing, plus books authored by Saralisa Volm.
• Die Verwandlung – DVD DVD edition of the award-winning short film Die Verwandlung (directed by Igor Plischke), priced at €35.00 including 19% VAT and an educational-license clause for use in educational institutions.
• Fikkefuchs – Blu-Ray Blu-Ray edition of the feature film Fikkefuchs, a provocative comedy about masculinity starring Jan Henrik Stahlberg and Franz Rogowski; includes Making Of, Deleted Scenes, Trailer, and Wendecover.
• Die Verwandlung – Video on Demand Digital rental/purchase of Die Verwandlung short film streamed via Vimeo On Demand, priced at €10.00.
• Julija Goyd – Emates Limited Art Editions Limited-edition art prints from the 'Emates' series (2018) by artist Julija Goyd, featuring manipulated pornographic imagery; named editions include BRANDI LOVE, BLAKE ROSE, BRANDI TALORE, DELOTTA BROWN, and CASSANDRA, priced at €25 each.
• René Schoemakers – Kunsteditionen (Limited Art Editions) Limited hand-drawn ballpoint-pen artworks by René Schoemakers from the 'Weltinventur, Reste' series on warm white drawing paper (~30×40 cm), priced €200–€550; previously exhibited at Kunstverein Viernheim, Kunstverein Paderborn, Kunstverein Flensburg, and Städtische Galerie Lemgo.
• bitch MATERial – Exhibition Products Exhibition merchandise and prints related to the bitch MATERial art project, including A1 exhibition posters, postcards, the catalogue 'Mutter.schafft.neu.denken', bags, and notebooks.
• POISON Stickeralbum – 26 Stickers A 10-page (10.5 × 10.5 cm) sticker album containing 26 stickers covering POISON productions including Fikkefuchs, Die Verwandlung, King Mami, Am Draht der Zeit, Alone Together, Schweigend steht der Wald, ILSE, A Body Like Mine, Truth or Dare, and 365 Imperfections.
• Schweigend steht der Wald – Novel by Wolfram Fleischhauer Hardcover novel (400 pages, ISBN 978-3426198544) by Wolfram Fleischhauer, published by Droemer HC in September 2013, sold via SHOP by POISON as the source material for the POISON feature film Schweigend steht der Wald.
• Mamabeat: Kinder. Chaos. Glück! – Book by Saralisa Volm Paperback (275 pages, ISBN 978-3407858412) by Managing Director Saralisa Volm about parenting, family life, and finding one's own rhythm as a parent, published by Beltz in August 2014.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Book Book StudiominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2016Design and print partner for exhibition materials. Book Book Studio designed and Risograph-printed invitations for the GANG SEiGNS exhibition.
• Galerie Niklas SchechingerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2016Gallery partner for art exhibitions. The GANG SEiGNS exhibition was held at Galerie Niklas Schechinger in Berlin.
• Bayerischer RundfunkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBroadcast partner and co-producer. Bayerischer Rundfunk (represented by Claudia Gladzijewski) served as editor and broadcaster for Die Verwandlung.
• Lingua VideominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for physical media. Lingua Video handles DVD distribution for some POISON titles.
• WooCommercecoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform provider powering the POISON online shop. WooCommerce provides the online retail infrastructure for selling films, art, and merchandise.
• VimeocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming platform for VOD distribution. Vimeo On Demand hosts POISON's video-on-demand offerings.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Studio Babelsberg: Germany's largest film studio and a major production services company. Comparable as a German film production incumbent but operating at infrastructure scale versus POISON's creator-led model.
• Tobis Film: One of Germany's oldest and largest film distribution and production companies. Overlaps with POISON in German-language film distribution but operates at a fundamentally different scale and portfolio breadth.
• Beta Film: Major German-based global distributor of scripted content. Comparable in being a German-language content distribution business but at international scale rather than POISON's boutique positioning.
• X Verleih: Major German film distribution company (Warner Bros. Discovery subsidiary) handling theatrical and home entertainment for a broad catalogue. Comparable as a German film distributor but at significantly larger scale than POISON.

Emerging players

• Galerie Eigen+Art: Major Berlin gallery representing contemporary artists and producing curated exhibitions and editions. Comparable to POISON on the art curation and limited-edition art merchandise side of the business.

Direct peers

• Komplizen Film: Berlin-based independent German film production company producing auteur-driven features and documentaries. Closely comparable to POISON as a small, creative-led German indie producer with festival-circuit positioning.
• MMM Film Verleih: Berlin-based distribution and production outfit for independent German films. Comparable to POISON for the distribution and exhibition support of arthouse cinema in German-speaking territories.
• Pandora Film: German indie film distribution and production company handling arthouse titles in German-speaking markets. Comparable to POISON on the distribution/D2C side of independent German cinema.
• Razor Film (RAZOR & Tie / Razor Film Produktion): Berlin-based independent film production company behind titles such as 'Look Who's Back'. Directly comparable as a small German indie producer operating in the same festival and broadcaster ecosystem as POISON.
• Heimatfilm: Independent German film production company based in Cologne producing arthouse features and documentaries. Comparable to POISON in scale, creative orientation, and reliance on public funding and broadcaster co-productions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/poisonberlin
• Facebookfacebook.com/Poison-Berlin-881299195227638
• Instagraminstagram.com/poisonberlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/poisonberlin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Poison Gmbh