Beta Film Takes Stake in Dutch Format Distributor

AMSTERDAM: Beta Film has acquired a minority interest in Lineup Industries, founded by distribution execs Ed Louwerse and Julian Curtis.

Lineup is an independent formats-sales business, which has a catalog that includes Long Lost Family, The Bully Project, Radio, Switch and Chasing Their Dreams. Beta Film will gain access to Lineup’s offering of light entertainment and formats.

Louwerse, co-founder of Lineup Industries, said: “While we remain independent, this is such a natural fit that it was an opportunity too good to miss. We have known and respected Beta Film for many years and as we look to further grow our business and our footprint globally, we feel that this is an ideal, complementary partnership with significant benefits to our businesses.”

Moritz von Kruedener, the managing director of Beta Film, added: “In the past years, the Beta Group has strengthened its position as a producer of scripted and, more recently, non-scripted entertainment formats through our backing of the German key non-fiction player Seapoint Productions. Joining forces with media veterans such as Ed and Julian is an excellent opportunity and a natural next step to also expand our distribution activities in the format business.”