Vuelta Group Co-Founders Share Insights on Their 15-Film Cannes Journey and the Exciting Opening of ‘The Electric Kiss’
Vuelta Group Makes a Splash at Cannes 2026 with The Electric Kiss
Jerome Levy and David Atlan-Jackson, co-founders of the pan-European film production company Vuelta Group, graced the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on the evening of the premiere of their opening film, The Electric Kiss. This significant appearance is part of a long-term strategy that began to materialize four years ago during a pivotal dinner at Fred l’Ecailler.
Reflecting on that formative night, Levy recalled, “That Cannes we made our first offer to Scanbox and had dinner with several parties we were interested in…” He mentioned that companies such as Indiana, Playtime, and Square One subsequently joined Vuelta Group. Notably, Final Cut, directed by Michel Hazanavicius, was the festival’s opening film at that time.
At Cannes 2026, Vuelta’s Paris-based subsidiary, Playtime, is responsible for international sales of The Electric Kiss, a romantic comedy featuring talents like Pio Marmaï and Anaïs Demoustier. Meanwhile, Vuelta Germany has secured distribution rights for the film within its region.
The film is among 15 titles debuting in the prestigious Official Selection, alongside the competition entry A Woman’s Life, which is being handled by Be For Films, based in Brussels. Other acquisitions include James Gray’s Paper Tiger for Benelux, purchased by the group’s WW Entertainment, and further rights secured by Scanbox for Scandinavia.
Playtime’s slate is diverse, with projects such as Louis Clichy’s Iron Man in Un Certain Regard, Géraldine Nakache’s Think Good in Cannes Premiere, and 9 Temples to Heaven by Sompot Chidgasornpongse in Directors’ Fortnight. In addition, Vuelta’s Berlin-based sales partner, Films Boutique, is marketing Aqui, The Golden Age, and The Castle in various Cannes sections.
Vuelta Group is firmly entrenched in production, as showcased by its involvement in Think Good, which it produced, and its engagement with projects like Too Many Beasts and Adieu Cruel World. The company’s range of collaborations extends to notable successes like Indiana’s Buen Camino, which has shattered box office records in Italy.
Atlan-Jackson noted that the strategy emerges from a desire to redefine distribution models for theatrical releases in a post-Covid landscape. "A lot of people were saying it’s possible that theaters will not exist," he commented on industry hesitance following the pandemic, emphasizing their commitment to theatrical distribution despite prevailing trends toward streaming.
The duo’s ambitious plans underscore a focus not just on production, but also on fostering a robust distribution culture, aiming to bridge the gap between creative filmmaking and market accessibility. Their initial foray, establishing connections with companies like Scanbox, has yielded fruitful agreements, including an eight-figure deal announced in July 2023.
Amid the elaborate plans that Vuelta Group has set in motion, the company continues to emphasize flexibility in its approach. “We want to create a distributor culture that trusts in the value of theatrical releases," Atlan-Jackson explained, highlighting the group’s vision for a sustainable future in film distribution.
As they steer the evolving landscape of European cinema, Levy and Atlan-Jackson remain steadfast in their mission—creating opportunities for filmmakers while adapting to the shifting paradigms that define the industry today.
