French media conglomerate Vivendi, owner of Canal+ Group, has acquired a 51% majority stake in Lucky Red, a prominent Italian film distribution and production company. This acquisition marks another step in the ongoing consolidation within the European entertainment industry. Lucky Red is recognized as one of Italy’s leading independent film distributors and has been active in both film and television production. Founded in 1987 by Andrea Occhipinti and Kermit Smith, the company had remained independent until now, making this a significant development in the Italian market.
Based in Rome, Lucky Red has recently released several notable titles such as “Sentimental Value,” “Nouvelle Vague,” “Greenland 2: Migration,” and the Robbie Williams biopic “Better Man.” On the production side, the company has been involved in acclaimed projects including Gabriele Mainetti’s “Freaks Out” and Netflix’s first Italian film “On My Skin.” More recent collaborations include French directors Robin Campillo’s “Enzo” and Christophe Honoré’s “Marcello Mio.”
The deal values the 51% stake of Lucky Red at approximately $31 million. It is reported that this acquisition will not lead to changes in management or interfere with the company’s creative autonomy. Andrea Occhipinti retains the remaining 49% share in Lucky Red. The partnership is viewed as a strategic move aimed at generating synergies across European markets.
Over the past 39 years, Lucky Red has distributed around 400 titles from internationally renowned filmmakers such as Ang Lee, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, Nanni Moretti, Aki Kaurismäki, Hayao Miyazaki, Paolo Sorrentino, and Wes Anderson, among others. The company signed the acquisition agreement in Rome, with Occhipinti and his partners Valerio Scarinci and Stefano Massenzi meeting with StudioCanal CEO Anna Marsh.
In financial terms, Lucky Red reported revenues exceeding €50 million ($58.8 million) and a net profit of €3.7 million ($4.35 million) in 2024. The revenue for 2025 was nearly €24 million ($28 million), ranking the company eighth among Italian film distributors for that year. Vivendi’s purchase of Lucky Red follows previous acquisitions of Italian companies by French media groups, including Wild Bunch’s acquisition of BIM Distribuzione, Mediawan’s acquisition of Palomar and Our Films, and Banijay’s acquisition of Groenlandia.
This acquisition reflects Vivendi’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in the European audiovisual sector and expanding collaboration across borders in film and television.
