Kino Lorber
Kino Lorber is actively expanding its North American distribution footprint across theatrical and digital, backed by new executive hires and the recent acquisition of the MHz Choice streaming service.
Each signal is one documented data point captured by our continuous pipeline: a trade-press mention, festival market activity, executive statement, or acquisition activity update. Higher signal volume means Kino Lorber is generating more public market activity right now.
"Following our acquisition of the MHz Choice streaming service, it's the perfect time for them to join, as we further innovate our distribution strategies to make prestige international film and TV content accessible to audiences throughout North America."
Kino Lorber is in an active acquisition phase, having recently picked up North American rights to titles including "The Story of Documentary Film," Fatih Akin's coming-of-age drama "Amrum," the Oscar-shortlisted documentary "Mr. Nobody Against Putin," Sundance Special Jury Award winner "Filipiñana," and Milagros Mumenthaler's TIFF world premiere "The Currents." The company's recent acquisition of MHz Networks, parent of the MHz Choice streaming service, signals a deliberate push into digital distribution alongside its established theatrical operation. Newly hired executives Ed Carroll and Lisa Schwartz, both former AMC Networks, are now working alongside founder Richard Lorber and COO Martha Benyam to shape content and distribution strategy going forward.
Over the trailing 12 months, Kino Lorber has logged 50 tracked records, with 4 unique deals closed in the past 90 days and 1 in the past 30. The pattern reflects a steady, curated acquisition cadence consistent with its art house positioning. Recent slate titles such as "The Forger," "1976," "The Worst Ones," and "Martin Eden" illustrate a preference for international prestige cinema, festival-pedigreed nonfiction, and character-driven drama. Documentary content, particularly work with historical or international scope, is a clear throughline across recent pickups.
Filmmakers and rights holders seeking North American distribution should approach Kino Lorber through its established industry channels, including major festival markets where the company has a consistent acquisition presence. The addition of Carroll and Schwartz broadens the executive team available to evaluate incoming projects, and the MHz Choice platform creates a new digital home for acquired content beyond traditional theatrical windows.
Amrum
Filipiñana
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
The Currents
The Story of Documentary Film
"Following our acquisition of the MHz Choice streaming service, it's the perfect time for them to join, as we further innovate our distribution strategies to make prestige international film and TV content accessible to audiences throughout North America."
Aligns with growing market demand for documentary content and prestige nonfiction cinema; positions Kino Lorber as curator of important documentary history
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Does Kino Lorber accept unsolicited scripts or film submissions?
Kino Lorber operates as a distributor acquiring finished films and North American distribution rights, not a production company developing scripts. Unsolicited screenplay submissions are not part of its publicly stated mandate. Rights holders with completed or near-complete projects, particularly those with festival credentials or prestige nonfiction positioning, are the appropriate inbound profile. Outreach is best routed through established industry representation or festival market meetings rather than cold submission portals.
What budgets or deal sizes does Kino Lorber typically work with?
Kino Lorber does not publicly disclose acquisition prices, and none of the recent deals in its tracked slate, including 'Amrum,' 'Filipiñana,' 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin,' 'The Currents,' and 'The Story of Documentary Film,' carried disclosed financial terms. The company is described as one of the most prolific distributors in the art house space, suggesting a volume-oriented approach to acquisitions rather than a small number of high-price deals. Budget scale for acquired productions spans international co-productions through modestly budgeted documentary work.
Which film festivals does Kino Lorber acquire from?
Recent acquisitions trace directly to major international festivals. 'Filipiñana' won a Sundance Special Jury Award for Creative Vision and had its European premiere at Berlinale. 'The Currents,' directed by Milagros Mumenthaler, had its world premiere at TIFF. 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin' was Oscar-shortlisted, indicating prior festival circulation. Fatih Akin's 'Amrum' was acquired for North American distribution following its festival run. Sundance, TIFF, and Berlinale are demonstrably active sourcing grounds for the company.
How do you get in touch with Kino Lorber for distribution inquiries?
Kino Lorber's acquisition activity is concentrated around major international film markets and festivals, making those venues the most reliable access points for rights holders. The company now has an expanded executive team, with Ed Carroll and Lisa Schwartz joining Richard Lorber and COO Martha Benyam in shaping content strategy. Industry representation that can facilitate introductions at markets such as EFM, Cannes Marche, or AFM is the conventional pathway. The company tracks 32 decision makers, suggesting a reasonably accessible organizational structure for credentialed industry contacts.
What genres is Kino Lorber focused on right now?
Documentary content is a clear current priority, evidenced by the acquisition of 'The Story of Documentary Film' and the Oscar-shortlisted 'Mr. Nobody Against Putin,' alongside the company's stated content focus on documentary cinema history and international documentary traditions. Prestige international drama is equally active: recent pickups include the coming-of-age drama 'Amrum' by Fatih Akin, the psychological drama 'The Currents,' and Sundance winner 'Filipiñana.' The broader slate, including 'The Forger,' '1976,' 'The Worst Ones,' and 'Martin Eden,' confirms a consistent appetite for festival-driven international prestige cinema.
Is Kino Lorber currently active and acquiring new titles?
Yes. Kino Lorber's latest tracked signal is dated May 2026, with 'The Story of Documentary Film' acquired in May 2026 and 'Amrum' acquired in May 2025. The company logged 50 tracked records over the past 12 months and closed 4 deals in the past 90 days. The recent hire of former AMC Networks executives Ed Carroll and Lisa Schwartz, combined with the acquisition of the MHz Choice streaming service, indicates the company is in an active strategic expansion phase rather than a holding pattern.
Profile compiled from publicly-available sources: trade press (Deadline, Variety, IndieWire, The Hollywood Reporter, Screen Daily), festival market reports (Cannes Marche, AFM, EFM, TIFF Industry), executive public statements, and acquisition announcements. Activity counters reflect signal volume from continuous pipeline indexing.
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