It also has offices in Reykjavik, Oslo and Stockholm.
Scanbox is now run by Jonis son Thor.
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We spoke with Scanbox CEO Thor Sigurjonsson about the deal to join Vuelta Group.
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DEADLINE:Why did this make sense for Scanbox now?
THOR SIGURJONSSON: What got us really excited was being part of a European group.
I know most of the people involved in the project and I like the team.
I thought it was a no brainer to be part of a bigger group but also to be autonomous.
We have been starting to ramp up our production business.
To be part of something with sales and co-production capability was important.
Last year we hired Lone Korslund from Nordisk Film to become creative director ofScanbox Productions.
So weve been moving towards production.
DEADLINE:How lucrative was this deal for you between five and ten million?
SIGURJONSSON: It was a fair price for everybody and for a company like Scanbox thats into eight figures.
DEADLINE:How does this place Scanbox in the Nordic region now?
SIGURJONSSON: It gives us more muscle on production and acquisitions.
On the pre-sale side it really helps us.
DEADLINE:How much will be film and how much TV?
SIGURJONSSON: Film is our major focus.
But weve just done a TV series calledBalls(Afturelding) in Iceland.
Its kind of a darkTed Lassobased on handball.
It was our second series between Zik Zak and Scanbox.
TV is definitely part of the puzzle too.
DEADLINE:Will you be looking to work more in English language?
SIGURJONSSON: Were going for bigger acquisitions.
That has an $80M budget.
We want to be buying at least a couple of tentpoles a year.
We were more in the high-end arthouse market before: Ruben Ostlund, the Almodovars and Ken Loach films.
DEADLINE:How will the greenlight process work for you within the Vuelta family?
SIGURJONSSON: At markets we will exchange information but I think it will remain quite silod.
We can put up a good number against foreign.
DEADLINE:Will you be growing your headcount?
SIGURJONSSON: Yes, we just added Rikke Sasja Lassen on the production side in May.
We wont add much but well grow a little.
In Scandinavia, Nordic Film and SF Studios are the two biggest players.
Were looking to come in and cement ourselves as the third player in the market.
Theres room to shake things up a bit in this market.
DEADLINE:To what extent do you see industrial action in the U.S. impacting your business?
SIGURJONSSON: We have an output deal with Studiocanal so that helps.
We are good in terms of our lineup but if the strike lasts beyond September things will get difficult.
