Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Explained

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Inc.
Type:Division
Foundation:, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, US
Location:10202 West Washington Boulevard, Culver City, California, US
Key People:Joseph Matukewicz (President)
Virginia Longmuir (Executive Vice President of Business Affairs)
Industry:Entertainment
Products:Motion pictures
Num Employees:30
Owner:Sony Group Corporation
Parent:Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) is a specialty film division of Sony Pictures.[1] The company specializes in acquiring and producing films for a wide variety of distribution platforms.[2] [3]

History

The group became a stand-alone division of Sony Pictures in 2007. Originally being called as Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group (SPWAG),[4] the group's name was changed to "Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions" (SPWA) in late 2010.[5] The group had sometimes been called "Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) Worldwide Acquisitions Group".

SPWA produces and acquires about 60 films per year, usually through Stage 6 Films, Affirm Films, and Destination Films.[6] SPWA releases some of its films theatrically;[7] the group would analyze how much a theatrical release would impact a film's TV, VOD and home video revenue, and then the group would determine whether the film should bows theatrically.[8]

In the case of theatrical releases, SPWA will offer the films to Sony's distribution labels (i.e. TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems, Columbia Pictures, and Sony Pictures Classics) firstly; then, if Sony's distribution labels pass on the films, the company will release the films through other distributors.

SPWA also has the rights to the Morgan Creek Entertainment library via Revolution Studios since 2016.

Select United States theatrical releases

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notes and References

  1. http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2007/06_07/062607_Outpost.html Sony Pictures – Press Releases
  2. Web site: Sony Creates Acquisitions Group. February 21, 2010. January 18, 2007. Home Media Magazine. K. Arnold, Thomas.
  3. News: Cannes: President of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisition Steven N. Bersch (Q&A). The Hollywood Reporter. January 24, 2018. en.
  4. Web site: Peace Arch Entertainment Group, Form 6-K, Filing Date May 17, 2007 . secdatabase.com . May 14, 2018.
  5. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/filmdistrict-and-tristar-pictures-to-partner-on-release-of-soul-surfer-106475553.html FilmDistrict and TriStar Pictures to Partner on Release of 'SOUL SURFER' - NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/
  6. News: Sony scores in pickup game . Variety . Andrew . Stewart . December 4, 2010.
  7. Web site: United States - Feeding the distribution machine. February 21, 2010. March 16, 2007. Screen International. Hazelton, John.
  8. https://archive.today/20120729175400/http://www.blssresearch.com/research-wrap?detail/C/the_changing_world_and_reading_between_the_lines/ Baseline Intelligence
  9. Web site: Taissa Farmiga and Nina Dobrev go back to camp in slasher comedy The Final Girls. Entertainment Weekly. Clark. Collins. August 3, 2015.
  10. Web site: Ratter. CinemaVillage.com. March 24, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305213409/http://www.cinemavillage.com/chc/cv/show_movie.asp?movieid=3738. March 5, 2016.
  11. https://www.indiewire.com/article/sony-pictures-worldwide-acquires-cyber-thriller-ratter-20150612 Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquires Cyber-Thriller 'Ratter' | Indiewire
  12. Web site: Sony Pictures Classics Will Spring Relativity Pickup 'The Bronze' On March 18. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony D. Alessandro. December 9, 2015. March 24, 2016.
  13. Web site: Every single movie coming out this summer. Los Angeles Times. Kevin. Crust. April 21, 2017. April 25, 2017.
  14. Web site: Sony Nabs 'Professor Marston'; Biopic About Wonder Woman Creator Stars Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall & Bella Heathcote. Deadline Hollywood. Ross. A. Lincoln. October 7, 2016. September 18, 2017.
  15. Web site: Annapurna To Release MGM's 'Death Wish' Over Thanksgiving; Sets October Date For 'Professor Marston & The Wonder Women'. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. June 8, 2017. September 18, 2017.
  16. Web site: Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Pre-Buys Rights To Chloe Moretz-Ansel Elgort-Starrer 'November Criminals'. Deadline Hollywood. Mike Jr.. Fleming. January 29, 2015. January 9, 2016.
  17. Web site: Baby Driver star Ansel Elgort returns in November Criminals trailer. Entertainment Weekly. Clark. Collis. September 18, 2017. September 18, 2017.
  18. Web site: Golden Exits. FilmRatings.com. September 18, 2017.
  19. Web site: Neon Picks Up 'Gemini' Starring Zoe Kravitz, John Cho & Lola Kirke – SXSW. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. March 16, 2017. March 16, 2017.
  20. Web site: Sony's Stage 6 Films Acquires Worldwide Rights To Vera Farmiga-Christopher Plummer Road Trip Pic 'Boundaries'. Deadline Hollywood. Ali. Jaafar. May 2, 2016. September 12, 2016.
  21. Web site: Michael Winterbottom's 'The Wedding Guest' Bought by IFC Films for U.S. (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Elsa. Keslassy. October 30, 2018. March 2, 2019.
  22. Web site: Sony's Stage 6 Films Lands 'Long Weekend' Rom-Com Starring Finn Wittrock, Zoë Chao & Damon Wayans Jr.. Deadline Hollywood. Amanda. N'Duka. February 18, 2021. February 18, 2021. February 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210219025728/https://deadline.com/2021/02/stage-6-films-long-weekend-finn-wittrock-zoe-chao-damon-wayans-jr-1234696689/. live.
  23. Web site: Tiffany Haddish & Billy Crystal Pic 'Here Today' Acquired By Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions' Stage 6 Films; Spring Release Set. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. April 14, 2021. April 14, 2021.
  24. Web site: Amanda Seyfried Movie 'A Mouthful Of Air' Picked Up By Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. April 28, 2021. May 8, 2021.
  25. Web site: 'Sisu': TIFF Midnight Madness Pic From Stage 6 Picked Up By Lionsgate. Anthony. D'Alessandro. Deadline Hollywood. October 18, 2022. October 19, 2022. October 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221019030749/https://deadline.com/2022/10/lionsgate-tiff-midnight-madness-sisu-acquisition-1235148153/. live.