Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions

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]

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Inc.

Type	Division
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA (2007)
Headquarters	10202 West Washington Boulevard, Culver City, California, US
Key people	Steve Bersch, President Michael Helfand, Executive Vice President of Business Affairs
Products	Motion pictures
Owner	Sony Entertainment (Sony Group Corporation)
Number of employees	30
Parent	Sony Pictures Entertainment
Divisions	Affirm Films Destination Films Stage 6 Films
Website	www.stage6films.com

History

The group became a stand-alone division of Sony Pictures in 2007.^[2] 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.

Select United States theatrical releases

2000s

• Paprika (2007) (production of Madhouse)
• Daddy Day Camp (2007) (production of Revolution Studios)
• Revolver (2007) (production of EuropaCorp. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Rise: Blood Hunter (2007) (production of Ghost House Pictures. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Seraphim Falls (2007) (production of Icon Productions. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Slipstream (2007) (Independently produced. Co-released with Strand Releasing)
• Southland Tales (2007) (production of Darko Entertainment and Wild Bunch. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Tekkon Kinkreet (2007) (production on behalf of Studio 4C)
• The Nines (2007) (production of Newmarket Films)
• We Own The Night (2007) (production of 2929 Productions)
• Dark Streets (2008) (production of Capture Film International. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Kabluey (2008) (Independently produced. Co-released with Regent Releasing)
• Elegy (2008) (production of Lakeshore Entertainment. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Fireproof (2008) (production of Sherwood Pictures. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Kabluey (2008) (Independently produced. Co-released with Regent Releasing)
• Married Life (2008) (production of Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Anonymous Content)
• The Perfect Holiday (2008) (production of Flavor Unit Films. Co-released with Yari Film Group)
• Black Dynamite (2009) (production of Ars Nova. Co-released with Apparition)
• Blood: The Last Vampire (2009) (production of East Wing Holdings Corp. and SAJ. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• District 9 (2009) (production of WingNut Films and QED International)
• Moon (2009) (production of Liberty Films UK)
• Planet 51 (2009) (production of Ilion Animation Studios and HandMade Films)
• The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009) (Independently produced. Co-released with Apparition)
• The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) (production of Davis Films and Infinity Features)
• The Young Victoria (2009) (production of GK Films. Co-released with Apparition)

2010s

• To Save A Life (2010) (production of New Song Pictures. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Chloe (2010) (production of StudioCanal and The Montecito Picture Company)
• Defendor (2010) (production of Alliance Films and Darius Films)
• Faster (2010) (production of CBS Films and Castle Rock Entertainment)
• Harry Brown (2010) (production of Hanway Films. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Legion (2010) (production of Bold Films)
• REC 2 (2010) (production of Filmax Entertainment and Castelao Productions)
• Red Hill (2010) (production of Arclight Films and Screen Australia. Co-released with Strand Releasing)
• The Tourist (2010) (production of GK Films and Spyglass Entertainment)
• Welcome to the Rileys (2010) (production of Scott Free Productions and Argonaut Pictures. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• A Good Old Fashioned Orgy (2011) (production of Endgame Entertainment. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Attack the Block (2011) (production of Film4 and StudioCanal)
• Bloodworth (2011) (Independently produced. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Colombiana (2011) (production of EuropaCorp)
• Courageous (2011) (production of Sherwood Pictures and Provident Films)
• Elektra Luxx (2011) (production of Gato Negro Films. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Insidious (2011) (production of Alliance Films and IM Global. Co-released with FilmDistrict)
• Jumping the Broom (2011) (Produced in-house)
• Midnight in Paris (2011) (production of Mediapro)
• POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (2011) (production of Snoot Entertainment and Warrior Poets)
• Salvation Boulevard (2011) (production of Mandalay Pictures. Co-released with IFC Films)
• Soul Surfer (2011) (production of Mandalay Pictures, Enticing Entertainment and Brookwell/McNamara Entertainment. Co-released with FilmDistrict)
• The Grace Card (2011) (production of Provident Films. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Bel Ami (2012) (production of Protagonist Pictures and Rai Cinema. Co-released with Magnolia Pictures)
• Detention (2012) (Independently produced. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Looper (2012) (production of Endgame Entertainment and DMG Entertainment. Co-released with FilmDistrict)
• Meeting Evil (2012) (production of Motion Picture Corporation of America. Co-released with Magnolia Pictures)
• The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012) (production of Aardman Animations)
• Red Dawn (2012) (production of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists, Contrafilm, and Vincent Newman Entertainment. Co-released with FilmDistrict)
• Robot & Frank (2012) (production of Park Pictures. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• The Raid: Redemption (2012) (production of XYZ Films, Celluloid Nightmares and P.T. Merantau Films)
• Sparkle (2012) (Produced in-house)
• The First Time (2012) (production of Jerimaca Films. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Tonight You're Mine (2012) (production of BBC Films, Sigma Films and Creative Scotland. Co-released with Roadside Attractions)
• Lake Placid: The Final Chapter (2012)
• Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012) (production of Foresight Unlimited. Co-released with Magnolia Pictures)
• A Dark Truth (2013) (production of RollerCoaster Entertainment. Co-released with Magnolia Pictures)
• Austenland (2013) (production of Fickle Fish Films)
• The Call (2013) (production of WWE Studios and Troika Pictures)
• Cold Comes the Night (2013) (Independently produced. Co-released with Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Elysium (2013) (production of Media Rights Capital)
• Evil Dead (2013) (production of Ghost House Pictures and FilmDistrict)
• Insidious Chapter 2 (2013) (production of Blumhouse Productions and Entertainment One. Co-released with FilmDistrict)
• Stalingrad (2014) (production of Russia One and Cinema Fund)
• Pompeii (2014) (production of Impact Pictures and Constantin Film, co-release with FilmDistrict )
• Moms' Night Out (2014) (production of Provident Films and Pure Flix Entertainment)
• When the Game Stands Tall (2014) (production of Mandalay Pictures)
• The Raid 2: Berandal (2014) (production of XYZ Films, Celluloid Nightmares and P.T. Merantau Films)
• The Remaining (2014) (distributed by Affirm Films)
• Predestination (2014) (production of Blacklab Entertainment, Screen Australia and Wolfhound Pictures)
• Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) (co-distributed by Gramercy Pictures)
• The End of The Tour (2015) (distributed on behalf of A24 Films).
• The Final Girls (2015) (distributed by Vertical Entertainment and Stage 6 Films).^[9]
• Ratter (2016) (distributed by Destination Films and Vertical Entertainment)^[10][11]
• The Bronze (2016) (distributed by Sony Pictures Classics)^[12]
• Elvis and Nixon (2016) (distributed by Amazon Studios and Bleecker Street)
• Arrival (2016) (U.S distribution by Paramount Pictures, co-international distribution with Stage 6 Films)^[13]
• Sleepless (2017) (production of Open Road Films. Co-Canadian distribution with Stage 6 Films)
• Free Fire (distributed by A24)^[14][15]
• Band Aid (distributed by IFC Films)^[16]
• Fallen (co-distributed by Vertical Entertainment)^[17]
• Professor Marston & The Wonder Women (co-distributed by Annapurna Pictures)^[18][19]
• November Criminals (co-distributed by Vertical Entertainment)^[20][21]
• Insidious: The Last Key (co-distribution by Universal Pictures)
• Golden Exits^[22]
• Gemini (distributed by Neon)^[23]
• Disobedience^[24]
• Hearts Beat Loud^[25]
• Boundaries^[26]
• The Tomorrow Man (distributed by Bleecker Street)^[27]
• The Wedding Guest (distributed by IFC Films)^[28]
• Them That Follow (distributed by 1091 Media)^[29]
• The Sound of Silence (distributed by IFC Films)^[30]

2020s

• The Glorias (distributed by Roadside Attractions and LD Entertainment)^[31]
• Sound of Metal (distributed by Amazon Studios)^[32]
• Saint Maud (distributed by A24)^[33]
• Zola (distributed by A24)^[34]
• Yellow Rose
• Ammonite (distributed by Neon)^[35]
• Run This Town
• Little Fish (distributed by IFC Films)^[36]
• The World to Come (distributed by Bleecker Street)^[37][38]
• Long Weekend^[39]
• Together Together (distributed by Bleecker Street)^[40]
• Here Today^[41]
• Infinite Storm (distributed by Bleecker Street)^[42]
• Dream Horse (distributed by Bleecker Street in the U.S. and Warner Bros. Pictures in the U.K.)^[43]
• A Mouthful of Air^[44]

Upcoming Releases

2022

• Joyride^[45]

References

1. Sony Pictures – Press Releases 2011-06-05 at the Wayback Machine
2. K. Arnold, Thomas (January 18, 2007). "Sony Creates Acquisitions Group". Home Media Magazine. Retrieved 2010-02-21.
3. "Cannes: President of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisition Steven N. Bersch (Q&A)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
4. "Peace Arch Entertainment Group, Form 6-K, Filing Date May 17, 2007". secdatabase.com. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
5. FilmDistrict and TriStar Pictures to Partner on Release of 'SOUL SURFER' - NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/
6. Stewart, Andrew (December 4, 2010). "Sony scores in pickup game". Variety.
7. Hazelton, John (March 16, 2007). "United States - Feeding the distribution machine". Screen International. Retrieved 2010-02-21.
8. Baseline Intelligence
9. Collins, Clark (August 3, 2015). "Taissa Farmiga and Nina Dobrev go back to camp in slasher comedy The Final Girls". Entertainment Weekly.
10. . CinemaVillage.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
11. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquires Cyber-Thriller 'Ratter' | Indiewire
12. Alessandro, Anthony D (December 9, 2015). "Sony Pictures Classics Will Spring Relativity Pickup 'The Bronze' On March 18". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
13. Cunningham, Todd (May 18, 2014). "Sony Nabs Foreign on Amy Adams' 'Story of Your Life,' A24 Checks Into 'Room'". The Wrap. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
14. Hopewell, John (February 8, 2015). "Berlin: Sony Pictures Worldwide Strikes Deal on Wheatley's 'Free Fire' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
15. McNary, Dave (March 10, 2016). "A24 Boards Brie Larson's Action-Thriller 'Free Fire'". Retrieved September 12, 2016.
16. Hipes, Patrick (February 3, 2017). "Zoe Lister-Jones' Sundance Pic 'Band Aid' Acquired By IFC Films & Sony Worldwide". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
17. Crust, Kevin (April 21, 2017). "Every single movie coming out this summer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
18. A. Lincoln, Ross (October 7, 2016). "Sony Nabs 'Professor Marston'; Biopic About Wonder Woman Creator Stars Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall & Bella Heathcote". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
19. D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 8, 2017). "Annapurna To Release MGM's 'Death Wish' Over Thanksgiving; Sets October Date For 'Professor Marston & The Wonder Women'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
20. Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 29, 2015). "Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Pre-Buys Rights To Chloe Moretz-Ansel Elgort-Starrer 'November Criminals'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
21. Collis, Clark (September 18, 2017). "Baby Driver star Ansel Elgort returns in November Criminals trailer". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
22. "Golden Exits". FilmRatings.com. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
23. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 16, 2017). "Neon Picks Up 'Gemini' Starring Zoe Kravitz, John Cho & Lola Kirke – SXSW". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
24. Hopewell, John (May 23, 2017). "Cannes: FilmNation Sells Out Internationally on 'Disobedience,' Untitled Julianne Moore Project (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
25. Lang, Brent (January 19, 2018). "Sundance: Sony Pictures Worldwide Nabs Foreign Rights to 'Hearts Beat Loud'". Variety. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
26. Jaafar, Ali (May 2, 2016). "Sony's Stage 6 Films Acquires Worldwide Rights To Vera Farmiga-Christopher Plummer Road Trip Pic 'Boundaries'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
27. Lang, Brent (January 18, 2019). "Sundance: 'The Tomorrow Man' Foreign Rights Sell to Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
28. Keslassy, Elsa (October 30, 2018). "Michael Winterbottom's 'The Wedding Guest' Bought by IFC Films for U.S. (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
29. Lang, Brent (January 30, 2019). "Sundance: Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Nabs 'Them That Follow' Foreign Rights (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
30. Lang, Brent (January 25, 2019). "Sundance: Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Nabs International Rights to 'Sound of Silence' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
31. "The Glorias". Sony Pictures. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
32. Grater, Tom; Wiseman, Andreas (December 4, 2019). "Riz Ahmed Drama 'Sound Of Metal' Drums Up UK Deal With Vertigo Releasing". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
33. D'Alessandro, Anthony (16 September 2019). "A24 Picks Up TIFF Midnight Madness Pic 'Saint Maud'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
34. Kay, Jeremy (January 27, 2020). "Sony takes international rights to Sundance stripper tweetstorm saga 'Zola'". Screen Daily. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
35. Wiseman, Andreas (February 5, 2019). "Kate Winslet-Saoirse Ronan Romance 'Ammonite' Pre-Sells To Sony, Lionsgate & Transmission After Heated Auction". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
36. Welk, Brian (September 24, 2020). "Olivia Cooke, Jack O'Connell Pandemic Love Story 'Little Fish' Reeled in by IFC Films". TheWrap. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
37. Tutt, Louise (September 6, 2020). "'The World To Come' director Mona Fastvold on shooting four seasons in 24 days". Screen International. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
38. Keslassy, Elsa (September 17, 2020). "Bleecker Street Nabs Venice Breakout 'The World to Come' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
39. N'Duka, Amanda (February 18, 2021). "Sony's Stage 6 Films Lands 'Long Weekend' Rom-Com Starring Finn Wittrock, Zoë Chao & Damon Wayans Jr". Deadline Hollywood. from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
40. Wiseman, Andreas (March 3, 2021). "Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Takes All International Rights To Sundance Comedy 'Together Together'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
41. D’Alessandro, Anthony (April 14, 2021). "Tiffany Haddish & Billy Crystal Pic 'Here Today' Acquired By Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions' Stage 6 Films; Spring Release Set". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
42. Keslassy, Elsa (February 1, 2020). "Naomi Watts to Headline Malgorzata Szumowska's 'Infinite Storm' With Bleecker, Sony Pictures Worldwide (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
43. Ritman, Alex (October 31, 2019). "Sony Takes Multi-Territory Bet on Toni Collette, Damian Lewis Drama 'Dream Horse'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
44. D’Alessandro, Anthony (April 28, 2021). "Amanda Seyfried Movie 'A Mouthful Of Air' Picked Up By Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
45. Barraclough, Leo (April 19, 2021). "Olivia Colman Comedy 'Joyride' Acquired By Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions From Embankment (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 8, 2021.