Benski Launches Lumina
Thomas Benski, the former Pulse Films boss who recently unveiled Carousel Studios with Omar Sy and Louis Letterier, has launched talent and IP banner Lumina. Based in London, New York, Paris and Los Angeles, the new venture claims to have been “built to support and grow companies in the modern media and consumer landscape where talent, IP and brand are the multipliers,” and comes with a first-round of funding in the “mid-eight figures.”
Lumina says it will focus on talent-driven studios, production, kids and family content, plus consumer brands. Lumina has already partnered with Carrousel Studios, as well as with Yann Demange’s Wayward Films (“’71,” “Top Boy”). On the kids and family side, Lumina is backing gaming studio Creators Corp. and the kids IP business Strike. Its consumer division has backed brands including Metie and DAACI, with its Lumina’s will include a “multi-disciplinary” film studio, Magna Studios, headed up by fellow former Pulse execs Marisa Clifford and Davud Karbassioun, which will seek to produce across branded content, documentaries and scripted.
“The current media landscape is in flux, and we believe this is the ideal time to build future facing companies. Drawing from our rich past experience, we are building in the present to shape the future,” said Benski, whose credits while at Pulse include “Gangs of London,” “Pig” and “Beastie Boys Story.”
Knatchbull Return to Curzon
U.K. exhibitor, distributor and streamer Curzon has named Philip Knatchbull, who led the company as CEO for almost 18 years, as its interim executive chairman and left in late 2023.
The appointment comes just weeks after the Fortress Investment Group acquired the company from Charles Cohen’s Cohen Media Group in a foreclosure auction involving multiple Cohen assets, including the Landmark cinema chain. Fortress had lent Cohen $534 million but sued him earlier this year for default. Cohen acquired Curzon in late 2019 amid a buying spree by the U.S. real estate developer.
“I’m very excited about the next stage of the Curzon journey and am looking forward to reuniting with so many of my colleagues in this new role,” said Knatchbull. “I spent almost 18 years building Curzon to be the hugely respected brand it is now. I trust the team I assembled, and know the company and the industry incredibly well. I return during a pivotal moment for the industry with full confidence in Curzon’s ability to be a strategic and cultural leader.”
The company operates Curzon Cinemas — with 16 cinemas and 46 total screens across the UK — as well as film distributor Curzon Film, and the Curzon Home Cinema streaming service.
Okonedo Gets BIFA Honor
Sophie Okonedo — the British stage and screen star who landed an Oscar nomination for “Hotel Rwanda” — is to receive the Richard Harris Award at the 2024 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) on Dec. 8.
The Richard Harris Award recognises an outstanding contribution by an actor to British film. Previous recipients include Samantha Morton, Riz Ahmed, Kristin Scott Thomas, Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Daniel Day-Lewis, Helena Bonham Carter, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Julie Walters, John Hurt, Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent and, in 2023, Stephen Graham.
