True Brit Entertainment Files for Administration

U.K. film distributor True Brit Entertainment has filed for administration, a British legal process similar to Chapter 11 bankruptcy. An independent specialist has been appointed to oversee the company and assess the options available.

It remains unknown what will happen to True Brit's upcoming releases, including 'In the Shadows' and 'Victorian Psycho.' The former is due to world premiere later this month at the BFI London Film Festival, while the latter premiered in Cannes.

True Brit Entertainment was announced in November 2023 with a focus exclusively on U.K. films for theatrical release. The company launched with a stated aim to invest in and release 4-8 titles a year and co-finance over $50 million worth of productions annually. The venture came with funding led by Three Six Zero, plus a minority investment from Matthew Vaughn's Marv.

The first True Brit release was 'The Critic' starring Ian McKellen and Gemma Arterton, acquired out of Toronto in 2023 and put in U.K. cinemas the following year. The Danny Dyer comedy 'Marching Powder' grossed more than $4 million in the U.K. and Ireland.

Subsequent releases including 'Christmas Karma' and 'Giant' struggled. 'The Death of Robin Hood' earned under $800,000. The latest release, 'Sunny Dancer,' also failed to land despite an impressive promotional campaign and buzz from its world premiere in Berlin.