EXCLUSIVE: Sky has restructured its Original Film division, moving away from funding and commissioning in-house development. Sky has confirmed so
EXCLUSIVE: Sky has restructured its Original Film division, moving away from funding and commissioning in-house development.
Sky has confirmed some production finance will still be available.
The strategy shift comes in the wake of Original Film head Julia Stuart’s departure in March. At the time it was announced that Stuart wouldn’t be replaced, with head of film Andrew Orr assuming control of the division.
“A Sky Original film is a project Sky acquires at late-stage development allowing Sky to play a meaningful creative role across key areas such as production and post-production,” said a Sky spokesperson of the current strategy, who added it “reflects an evolution from an in-house development strategy, enabling Sky to deliver films to audiences more quickly”.
Under the recent structure, Orr remains in place and will lead on acquisitions, in a team of three currently. Former development executive Janay Carrott has taken on a recent innovative executive role. Assistant commissioner Sabrina Parmar left after her contract ended in March, around the same time as Stuart’s departure. Development executive Amy Lotherington has also since left. Laura Grange is still in her position as commissioning manager, fulfilling her contract until the end of the year.
It is understood that Sky has over 20 films on its slate to release, including films it has co-financed and commissioned such as Ashley Walters’ directorial debut Animol, David Walliams book adaptation Fing starring Taika Waititi, Mia Wasikowska and Walliams, Christmas film Tinsel Town led by Rebel Wilson and Kiefer Sutherland plus straight acquisitions such as recent Toronto premieres Nuremberg, Fuze and Normal.
Sky’s spokesperson noted: “The Sky Original film brand and strategy remains core to the overall offering to Sky customers, with a strong line-up already confirmed for 2026 and 2027, including upcoming Nuremberg, Shaun The Sheep: The Beast Of Mossy Bottom, Mutiny and more. The Sky Original Film team has a strong interest in action-packed thrillers, as well as a select number of high-profile titles with theatrical potential.”
The long-term strategy remains unclear regarding how lively Sky will be in acquiring and funding films for theatrical release moving forward; however, it is understood that Orr will attend AFM next month looking for recent acquisitions.
The changes to the Original Film division come in a year that has been the busiest in its history on the production side, with four theatrical features financed by Sky shooting this year: Animol and Tinsel Town shooting in the UK, as well as Bollywoof, while Fing filmed in Australia. Projects already on the slate will also continue to be backed, coming out through 2027 and 2028.
Films that Sky co-financed and distributed previously include UK titles The Radleys, Bonus Track, Grow and Kate Winslet-produced Lee, while huge swing acquisitions have included The Beekeeper, May December and Ferrari (the first two released in the UK-Ireland with Studiocanal, the latter by Black Bear).
“It’s sad for the UK industry that suddenly you can’t go to Sky for financing anymore for film, in an industry where there aren’t many places to go in the first place,” said one industry source, lamenting the company’s strategy shift on film.
Sky also recently restructured its kids programming divisions, moving away from original commissions and towards acquisitions.
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