Jude Law and creative partner Ben Jackson’s UK-based Riff Raff Entertainment has secured a “multi-million dollar” investment from Calculus Capital and has named UK media executive Stephen Fuss CEO.
Together with Riff Raff’s first-look deal with New Republic Pictures, the new funds will be used to bring on key hires, buy and develop material and attach writers in Europe and the US.
The cash injection, arranged by CAA Media Finance, marks the seventh investment by Calculus on behalf of the Calculus Creative Content EIS Fund. EIS is the UK government’s Enterprise Investment Scheme.
Fuss ran screen finance company Stargrove Pictures and before that was head of independent film and TV at Ingenious Media and worked as a media lawyer.
Riff Raff was set up in 2017 and its slate includes a contemporary comedy set in London written by Sharon Horgan; political drama Best Of Enemies to be written and directed by David O Russell; and a TV drama written by Succession and Better Call Saul writer Jonathan Glatzer.
Riff Raff’s first project was Harry Wootliff’s psychological drama True Things, BBC Film, premiered at Venice last year and was released in the UK by Picturehouse.
“With the objective for the company as both a creator of premium prestige film and TV content and an incubator of exciting new writing and directing talent, it’s an incredible opportunity for me to attract premium IP and continue to secure exciting talent on projects,” said Fuss.
“We are thrilled by the support from Calculus and excited to welcome Stephen to Riff Raff as CEO, who joins with a wealth of knowledge and tenacity,” said Law and Jackson. “With many projects in various stages of development across film and television, we look forward to continue to break the mould in the space of entertainment with exciting new talent and captivating stories.”
John Glencross of Calculus Capital added, “We are very excited to be supporting Riff Raff Entertainment in its continued growth and to be working with Jude, Ben and Stephen. Jude’s achievements as an internationally recognised and acclaimed actor allied to his and the team’s determination to become a major production house creates a powerful combination. Riff Raff is developing a slate of premium film and TV content which will appeal to audiences worldwide.”
Previous Calculus investments include Colin Firth’s Raindog Films and Gaby Tana and Troy Lum’s UK-Australian production company Brouhaha Entertainment.
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