The streaming provider MUBI is currently undergoing a significant transformation: from a curated niche provider, the platform is increasingly developing into a globally active film distributor and producer. With fresh financing totalling USD 100 million from Sequoia Capital and numerous rights acquisitions at this year's Festival de Cannes, the company is underpinning its ambitions to play a relevant role in international competition.

MUBI's presence in Cannes was particularly striking. While many market players were reluctant to make new acquisitions, MUBI secured the rights to nine out of 22 competition films - including the drama Die, My Love with Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. The reported purchase price of USD 24 million is a record for an arthouse distributor and covers numerous markets, including North America, the UK, India and Latin America.

MUBI deliberately does not pursue a mass strategy, but focuses on selected, artistically sophisticated productions with a festival presence. The films are to be monetised via several exploitation stages - cinema, video-on-demand and streaming. The targeted territorial allocation of rights, rather than global exclusivity, is also intended to spread the risk and strengthen local market access.

In addition to acquiring rights, MUBI is also expanding its role as a producer. The first projects with well-known directors are currently being realised. Nevertheless, the financial risk remains high: the industry is volatile, the cinema experience is under pressure and the success of individual titles is difficult to calculate. The coming years will show whether MUBI can sustain its strategy in the long term. What is clear, however, is that the company is focussing on controlled growth and cultural positioning - an approach that clearly sets it apart from the competition.

FILMTAKE reports in detail.