French film executive Cécile Gaget is stepping down as CEO of Wild Bunch and joining Carrousel Studios, the new European production group launched last month by Lupin star Omar Sy, Fast X director Louis Leterrier and producer Thomas Benski. Gaget was appointed CEO of Carrousel and will take up the job on May 1.
Carrousel, launched with backing from CAA Media Finance, is being billed as an “artists first” European studio that will focus on elevated genre fare for film and TV, aiming to leverage European tax and production incentives, as well as tap into the continent’s deep well of talent, to produce content for the European and global market.
With Gaget, the company has scored one of Europe’s top film execs with a deep knowledge of both the financial and practical on-the-ground business of independent production and distribution. She’s held positions at several of the continent’s top studios and mini-majors, including at Gaumont, where she served as head of international production and distribution, oversaw worldwide sales (including for global blockbuster The Intouchables starring Omar Sy), ran the company’s U.S. film division and headed up English and local-language productions and foreign remakes. While there she acquired the U.S. remake rights to Korean zombie hit Train to Busan, currently being remade as Last Train to New York by The Night Comes for Us director Timo Tjahjanto.
Joining Sebastien Raybaud’s private equity-backed Anton in 2020, Gaget helped the group ramp up its slate production and international sales team while also overseeing the acquisitions and sales strategy for Gerard Butler-led action franchise Greenland, the Jessica Chastain/ Anne Hathaway drama Mothers Instinct, sci-fi feature Vesper, starring Eddie Marsan and Rosy McEwen, and kids animated film Fireheart.
As head of film at French indie powerhouse Wild Bunch, Gaget was key in refocusing the group on local production and broadening its French theatrical slate towards more mainstream titles, including Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning hit The Boy and the Heron.
At Carrousel, Gaget will be tasked with helping to build up the nascent studio’s local and global production slate, forging strategic partnerships and overseeing strategies for development, production, financing and distribution.
“With her extraordinary experience and deep international relationships, we know that Cecile will be an incredible asset to Carrousel Studios,” said Sy, Leterrier and Benski in a joint statement. ”Our goal is to create a home for talent—both emerging and established—looking to make passion projects in the most efficient and rewarding manner, both creatively and financially, and we believe Cecile will help us achieve it.”
Cécile Gaget, who will be based in Paris stated: “I am very grateful to Omar, Louis, and Thomas for their trust in my abilities to help build and lead this studio to its fullest potential. I’m thrilled to embark on this journey with Carrousel Studios, united by a shared vision and a collective drive to create and produce high end and bold content for a global audience.”
Gaget will be based out of Paris. Carrousel Studios will have offices in Paris, London, Los Angeles and Senegal
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