Curzon Cinema Chain Acquired by Fortress in U.K. Arthouse Deal

As a seasoned cinephile with decades of film-going experiences under my belt, I can’t help but feel a surge of nostalgia and excitement upon hearing about Fortress Investment Group’s acquisition of Curzon. Having attended countless screenings at Curzon cinemas throughout the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand their unwavering commitment to bringing independent and critically acclaimed films to British audiences.


Fortress Investment Group has acquired Curzon, a prominent art-house cinema exhibitor and distributor from the UK, securing its business operations in exhibition, distribution, and streaming services.

On Tuesday, I learned about an exciting acquisition that has me thrilled! This deal encompasses Curzon’s extensive network of 16 theaters spread across the UK, boasting a total of 46 screens. But that’s not all – it also includes their distribution arm, Curzon Film, and their streaming platform, Curzon Home Cinema. This strategic move safeguards jobs for over 350 dedicated individuals within Curzon.

Over the past few years, the esteemed British theater company that originated in 1934 has been growing its influence, opening new locations in Hoxton, Camden, Kingston-upon-Thames, and Canterbury. Their distribution division recently achieved success with “Kneecap,” a film they played a role in creating. This Irish-language production, distributed by Wildcard Distribution, has earned over £2 million ($2.5 million) at the U.K. and Ireland box office and garnered 14 nominations for the British Independent Film Awards.

The distribution arm also scored with Alice Rohrwacher’s “La Chimera,” which pulled in £930,000 ($1.1 million) including an 18-week engagement at Curzon Bloomsbury. Looking ahead, Curzon’s slate features Latvia’s Oscar entry “Flow” and Belgium’s Academy Awards submission “Julie Keeps Quiet.”

In the year 2010, Curzon introduced its streaming platform, a service that has since expanded to numerous platforms and devices, catering to approximately 6.5 million households.

Over the span of nearly a century, the company has earned its esteemed status by bringing international films to British viewers. In 2006, it further strengthened its distribution capabilities by incorporating Artificial Eye, an art-house label. Curzon’s collection includes masterpieces from distinguished directors such as Wim Wenders, Michael Haneke, Béla Tarr, Alice Rohrwacher, and Ruben Östlund.

Fortress, managing approximately $48 billion in investments, intends to aid Curzon in broadening its theater presence. This assistance will also involve enhancing Curzon’s distribution methods and award-winning campaign initiatives.

Allison Swayze, Fortress’s managing director, stated that Curzon is a well-known movie company, renowned worldwide for its extensive history of presenting independent and critically acclaimed films to British viewers. We’re thrilled about acquiring Curzon, as it allows us to back their dedicated team. Curzon has ambitious plans in the near future, such as expanding their cinema network and releasing a captivating lineup of films that have potential for awards. Our purchase ensures employment for over 350 people and enables Curzon to continue providing film enthusiasts with a variety of independent and popular movies, both in theaters and at home.

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2024-11-12 10:52