The Story Lab Inks Investment Deal with Vertical Distribution

LONDON: The Story Lab has negotiated a distribution deal with Vertical Distribution (formerly Freeman Distribution) across Central and Eastern Europe.

The agreement will see the release of four Hollywood studio films, including John Wick: Chapter 2, in CEE. The Hitman’s Bodyguard, American Assassin and Paddington 2 are also included in the co-investment deal to distribute the titles across Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

This marks the second deal between the two companies; the first saw The Story Lab acquiring a significant share of the distribution rights for three films: Criminal, Mechanic Resurrection and Expendables 4.

Norio Hayashi, executive director of The Story Lab, commented, “We are thrilled to be once again partnering with Vertical Distribution, working together to distribute four fantastic titles across these five countries. The Central and Eastern European region is a key territory for The Story Lab and we intend to continue building our presence here.”

Anca Truta, CEO of Vertical Distribution, said, “We are very excited to have finalized another deal along with The Story Lab for these upcoming highly expected films and we are confident that the results of the box office will be significant in all the territories we shall distribute the films. ”

Razvan Varabiescu, CEO of The Story Lab Balkans, added, “It’s great to be working with the team at Vertical Distribution, especially given the fact that we have these four fantastic Hollywood films to distribute, using our expert knowledge of the region.”