Dutch FilmWorks

Last updated
Dutch FilmWorks
Company type Subsidiary
Industry Film distribution and film production
Founded1998;26 years ago (1998)
Headquarters
Burgemeester Verderlaan 15 3544 AD, Utrecht
,
Area served
Benelux
Owner StudioCanal (majority)
Website www.dfw.nl

Dutch FilmWorks B.V. is the film distributor and producer of the Netherlands founded in 1998, [1] based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, [1] [2] focusing on Benelux rights [3] mainly to release films theatrically, on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD. [4] They are also a publisher and distributor of books and magazines. [1]

Contents

They have recently released several TV series in the CBS library on DVD, under license from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Pictures.

In 2022, StudioCanal acquired a majority stake in Dutch FilmWorks. [5]

Background

Dutch Filmworks purchases film licenses and releases these in the Benelux, and has a distribution library of over 2,500 titles. [1] Large titles distributed by Dutch FilmWorks include Exorcist: The Prequel , [6] The Grudge , The Aviator , Unleashed , Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium , The Final Cut and Saw , as well as Dutch products such as the television series Westenwind and the film 06/05 . [7]

'The House of Knowledge' is a separate branch of the business that distributes documentaries, including those from Discovery Channel.

'Moefieklub' was a separate branch of the business that distributes Children’s movies/tv shows, including those from Junior. The company was founded in late 2005 and the company is defunct in early 2010s. I don’t think they distributed films on Blu-Ray and VHS. Like David El Gnomo and Sesame Street. The company sold it’s NTR sales to JustBridge in late 2011.

In June 2022, French company StudioCanal acquired a majority stake in Dutch FilmWorks, adding the company to StudioCanal's vast belt of successful television and film companies in Europe. DFW will focus on both movies and television, with its management and operations unchanged. StudioCanal's first collaboration with Dutch FilmWorks is an adaptation of the Magical Pharmacy book series, co-produced by DFW and StudioCanal's German arm. [5]

Dutch FilmWorks submitted plans, on 17 March 2017, to the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) to work with ISP's to combat “the unlawful dissemination of copyright protected works”. This involved connecting the names and addresses of known IP addresses involved in disseminating copyrighted material. The Dutch Data Protection Authority published their draft judgement, which would grant permission to Dutch FilmWorks, after a period for public comment which lasted until 25 August 2017. [8] [9]

Legal enforcement has been challenging, with some ISPs refusing to provide the names and addresses of customers. [10] A lawsuit brought against Ziggo in 2019, by Dutch FilmWorks, was found to be without basis by the Central Netherlands Court. The ruling found that Ziggo did not need to provide names and addresses of customers to Dutch FilmWorks based on privacy concerns. [11] [12]

Filmography

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Dutch FilmWorks acquireert 3D Films in Cannes en meer". Showbizzkanaal (in Dutch). June 15, 210. Archived from the original on 19 July 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  2. "Dutch Filmworks BV". Business Week . investing.businessweek.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  3. Kemp, Stuart (2008-11-18). "Dutch Filmworks seals slew of Benelux deals". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on 2013-01-25. Retrieved 22 July 2010. Indie distributor Dutch Filmworks on Tuesday reported several high-profile acquisitions in the immediate aftermath of the American Film Market, snapping up Benelux rights to a slew of titles
  4. Zagt, Ab (2003-12-08). "Dutch FilmWorks acquires diverse dozen". main line of business in the Netherlands is releasing films on DVD and video.: Screendaily . Retrieved 22 July 2010.
  5. 1 2 Keslassy, Elsa (20 June 2022). "Studiocanal Acquires Benelux Distribution Banner Dutch Filmworks". Variety . Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  6. Felperin, Leslie (2005-03-18). "Exorcist: The Prequel". Variety . Retrieved 22 July 2010. A Morgan Creek, DFW Dutch Filmworks presentation
  7. "Dutch Filmworks Filmography". InBaseline . inbaseline.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  8. "Ontwerpbesluit online handhaving auteursrechten". autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  9. "Dutch Filmworks vraagt toestemming voor opsporen torrentdownloaders". Tweakers (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  10. "ISP Doesn't Have to Expose Alleged Movie Pirates, Dutch Supreme Court Rules * TorrentFreak" . Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  11. "Rechtspraak.nl - Zoeken in uitspraken". uitspraken.rechtspraak.nl. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  12. "Dutch FilmWorks / Ziggo: een hoge drempel voor het verkrijgen van NAW-gegevens van individuele downloaders - Noot bij Voorzieningenrechter Rechtbank Midden-Nederland 8 februari 2019, ECLI:NL:RBMNE:2019:423 (Dutch FilmWorks tegen Ziggo)". Tijdschrift voor Internetrecht. Retrieved 2023-04-27.