Tim Haslam (formerly CEO of HanWay) and Hugo Grumbar (former MD of Icon) have unveiled their new international sales and financing company, Embankment Films.

The company has quietly been working on the Princess Diana biopic Caught In Flight since the AFM.

Now, after the EFM, that film — with Naomi Watts now attached to star— has been pre-sold to more than 40 territories, including deals for the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Japan, Scandinavia, Benelux, Australia & New Zealand, CIS and Latin America. Ecosse Films is producing the project, about Diana’s relationship with surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan. Olivier Hirschbeigel will produce.

Embankment said it “aims to provide a one-stop shop to producers, encompassing pre-sales, tax credit cash-flow and gap financing – enabling producers to structure and finance at one port of call rather than through multiple facilities.”

Embankment has secured a credit facility of up to $20m with Aver Media.

The pair of executives bring together complementary knowledge of sales and distribution.

Haslam notes, “Hugo knows what it’s like to win or lose with your P+A on a Friday and have to fight tooth and nail to book theatres on a Monday.  Combine that with his marketing instinct and distribution discipline, and his natural ability to collaborate with filmmakers early on in development – Hugo reflects what this company is about. He is also instrumental to Embankment for providing international distributors with first class marketing materials and delivery, ensuring the highest quality.”

Grumbar added: “Tim is a consummate deal maker – he’s a great organizer and a strong closer – his passion for projects and attention to detail set him apart  - Tim consistently displays a dogged determination to enable filmmakers to own their films and retain their assets”.

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