David Garrett pacts with Constantin to launch new London-based sales company

Former Summit International president David Garrett today launched his new London-based sales company Mister Smith Entertainment, a joint venture with German production and distribution outfit Constantin Film.

CEO Garrett will be joined by former Summit executive Ralpho Borgos who joins as executive vice president, international licensing and distribution. Annasivia Britt rounds out the new team as vice president, marketing and publicity.

Garrett’s new venture will finance, co-finance and license “high quality mainstream films and filmmaker driven movies for the global market.”

Mister Smith makes its market debut at Cannes with two Constantin titles already generating significant buzz. First is Cassandra Clare’s best-selling book series adaptation The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, the first film in an acclaimed action-fantasy franchise.

Harald Zwart will direct Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell-Bower in the story of a teenager who must navigate a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures.

Jessica Postigo and I. Marlene King script with Robert Kulzer producing for Constantin Film alongside Don Carmody. The shoot is scheduled for summer 2012 with SPE’s Screen Gems to release in the US in summer 2013.

Garrett’s second Cannes title is the true story 3,096 Days, based on the autobiography of Natascha Kampusch, the Austrian girl held captive for more than 8 years and whose escape made headlines around the world.

Sherry Hormann will direct rising European star Antonia Campbell-Hughes (a former Screen International Star of Tomorrow) and Thure Lindhardt. Martin Moszkowicz produces.

The film was the last project initiated by the late writer/producer Bernd Eichinger. Ruth Toma completed Eichinger’s unfinished screenplay. Principal photography begins in Germany tomorrow [May 2].

David Garrett said of his new venture: “Mister Smith Entertainment is a natural next step for me after a wonderful 19 year partnership at Summit Entertainment. I am also proud to have been in business with Constantin Films since the early 1990s and their partnership is the cornerstone of this new venture. Our goal is to recreate the successful distribution structure we forged in the early days of Summit Entertainment, building upon core strategic partnerships with the very best producers, filmmakers and distributors around the world.”

Martin Moszkowicz, member of the executive board of Constantin Film added: “David Garrett is synonymous with success and style and under his leadership Mister Smith Entertainment will be an immense source of pride for us all, especially in this time of real challenge and change in our industry. David and I care deeply about the content this company will bring to the international market place and we share a unified and committed vision towards the kinds of movies we want to make.”