Leading Benelux distributor Cineart has announced details of a change in its ownership structure and confirmed new acquisitions.

The company, founded by Eliane DuBois who died last summer, is now jointly controlled by Stephan De Potter in Belgium and Marc Smit in the Netherlands. The two have bought out the shares owned by DuBois’ son, Hichame Alaouie, who will remain as an ‘honorary participant’ on the Cineart board.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Cineart.

The company is continuing to ramp up its VOD activities. Through Twin Pics, its joint venture with music distributor PIAS, Cineart is an iTunes aggregator.

The company has also snapped up François Ozon’s new feature Une Nouvelle Amie. The drama, starring Romain Duris and set to screen at Toronto next month, is sold by Films Distribution. 

Cineart will also handle the Dardenne brothers’ next project, which is at script stage.

The company is also releasing Benoit Jacquot’s latest feature 3 Hearts (Trois Coeurs), about a hapless accountant (Benoît Poelvoorde) romantically torn between two sisters (Charlotte Gainsbourg, Chiara Mastroianni). This is on Elle Driver’s Venice and Toronto slate.

Meanwhile, Cineart has bought Julio Medem’s Ma Ma, produced by Penelope Cruz and sold by Seville International, the boutique arm of eOne.

Cineart’s recent pick ups include Cannes favourite Winter Sleep by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, the 18th Palme D’Or winner that the company has acquired.

The company’s summer haul included such titles as Tim Burton’s Big Eyes, Damián Szifrón’s Wild Tales and David Cronenberg’s Maps To The Stars.

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