Universal Pictures Appoints Former StudioCanal Executive Kalle Friz as Germany Chief

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to announce that I, Kalle Friz, am stepping into a new role at Universal Pictures International. I’ll be taking on the position of Managing Director for both Germany and Austria! It’s going to be an exciting journey ahead as I delve deeper into the world of cinema in these two fascinating countries.

Friz will work under Paul Higginson, the Executive Vice President of Universal Pictures International (UPI) for EMEA, and oversee the daily operations in a key theatrical market, which is one of UPI’s largest territories.

Karel De Vries, who effectively managed teams in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands throughout the hiring process for the German Managing Director (MD) role, is set to assume the position of Dutch MD once Kalle arrives.

Or, more colloquially:

Karel De Vries, who did a great job leading our teams in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands during the search for a new German MD, will take on the Dutch MD position when Kalle arrives.

Friz, set to join Universal in July 2025, is tasked with collaborating with Higginson to boost ticket sales and establish strategic aims and targets for the Germany and Austria branches of the company, focusing on sales, distribution, acquisitions, marketing, publicity, and finance, as stated in a UPI press statement.

Over the course of 16 years at StudioCanal Friz, I’ve held various key roles, with my latest appointments being Executive Vice President for International Operations and CEO of Germany.

Before moving to Studiocanal, Friz served as the head of Fox Searchlight and local acquisitions from 2002-2009. During this time, he was responsible for overseeing the German distribution of films such as “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Juno,” “28 Days Later,” and “Black Swan.

Paul Higginson made the following remark: “Kalle is a skilled professional with a rich background in our industry, known for his creative approaches to distribution and deep understanding of the German market. He’s also an inspiring leader who motivates his team members. With more than two decades of experience, we are excited to have Kalle guide our local growth initiatives and further strengthen our presence in this region.

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2025-04-30 12:46