Studiocanal has hired Hooman Afshari and Lutz Rippe to manage the company's business in Germany. The duo will take on the roles of co-CEOs from 1 June. They will succeed Kalle Friz, who will leave the company in July after 16 years to join Universal.

Hooman Afshari joined Studiocanal in 2012 as Vice President Theatrical Distribution. Since 2018, he has been responsible for all distribution activities at Studiocanal Germany and reported directly to the former CEO. In 2023, Afshari and Rippe were appointed Co-Managing Directors of Studiocanal Germany.

Lutz Rippe joined the Studiocanal marketing team in 2006. He held the position of Vice President Theatrical Marketing from 2011 and headed the marketing department from 2018, where he was responsible for marketing in Studiocanal's cinema and home entertainment divisions.

"I am delighted to announce the appointment of Hooman Afshari and Lutz Rippe as Co-CEOs of Studiocanal Germany," said Alex Hamilton, Chief International Officer of Studiocanal, in a statement. "Their passion for film, their commitment to Studiocanal and Canal+ and their exceptional industry knowledge make them the best choice for their new roles. They are the natural successors to Kalle Friz, who has made Studiocanal Germany such a successful company."

Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal and Chief Content Officer of Canal+, added: "I join Alex Hamilton in congratulating Hooman Afshari and Lutz Rippe on their appointment as Co-CEOs of Studiocanal Germany. They have delivered outstanding results over many years and are exceptionally well positioned to lead the company into the next chapter of its success. At the same time, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Kalle Friz for his remarkable leadership and dedication over the past 16 years. Kalle is an exceptional professional, a rare talent and a generous colleague with whom I have had the privilege of working closely. On behalf of Studiocanal, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to him and wish him every success in his future endeavours."

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