The newly formed Carrousel Studios has appointed French film industry veteran Cécile Gaget as CEO, effective May 1.
Carrousel Studios, an independent, artist-focused European studio and media company, was founded in March by actor and producer Omar Sy, producer and director Louis Leterrier and entrepreneur/producer Thomas Benski.
Their goal is to develop and produce cross-generational, high-quality, conceptual entertainment for global audiences.
In her new role, Gaget will leverage her distribution and film financing expertise to expand and expand the capabilities of Carrousel’s founders.
From Paris, her task will be to expand a local and global production range, establish strategic partnerships and, in particular, monitor development, production, financing and sales strategies.
“I am very grateful to Omar, Louis and Thomas for their trust in my ability to help build this studio and reach its full potential. “I am thrilled to embark on this journey with Carrousel Studios, united by a shared vision and drive to create and produce high-quality and bold content for a global audience,” said Gaget.
Most recently, Gaget led the Wild Bunch group as Head of Film, where she helped focus activities on local production and shift the French cinema program to bold and mainstream titles, including the hit Oscar-winning film The Boy and the Heron.
Prior to joining the Wild Bunch group, Gaget spent two years at Euro producer and financier Anton as president of international production and sales, helping the mini-studio expand the Slate production and international sales team to further international focus to support company growth.
During her time there, she leveraged her relationships within the European creative and distribution community to establish and develop new film projects. Gaget also led the acquisitions team and oversaw international strategy Greenland migration, the Gerard Butler franchise, Maternal instinct with Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway, vespers, the Euro-sci-fi story she executive produced, and the animated hit Fireheart.
“With her exceptional experience and deep international relationships, we know that Cecile will be an incredible asset to Carrousel Studios,” Sy, Leterrier and Benski said in a joint statement. “Our goal is to create a home for talent – both emerging and established – who want to realize passion projects in the most efficient and rewarding way, both creatively and financially, and we believe Cecile will help us achieve this. to achieve this goal.”
Prior to joining Anton, Gaget was a key member of the executive team at French film studio Gaumont for more than a decade, serving as head of international production and distribution. Gaget oversaw Gaumont’s international sales, including international acquisitions, English-language and local-language productions, and foreign remakes. She also built the company’s US film division.
At Gaumont she acquired the US remake rights for the legendary Korean zombie hit Train to Busan. After joining Gaumont in 2010 to oversee global sales, she oversaw award-winning features, including global hits The Intouchables, C’est la Vie and The Specials by the renowned directors Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache. She also oversaw the worldwide sales and distribution of Nicolas Winding Refn’s films Only God forgives with Ryan Gosling and The neon demon, starring Elle Fanning.