Pathé signs deal with ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ producer Celador Films

Pathé is expanding its library with five titles acquired from London production banner Celador Films, including Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

Pathé has collaborated with Celador Films and founder Paul Smith on the development, production and sales of many films, including ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, which Pathé sold around the world. The five-image library pact also includes “Centurion” by Neil Marshall and “The Descent” and “The Descent Part 2” by Jon Harris, as well as “The Scouting Book for Boys” by Tom Harper.

“We are very pleased to welcome these critically acclaimed titles, which have achieved both commercial success and prestigious awards, to the Pathé library,” said Pathé President Ardavan Safaee.

“We look forward to maximizing their potential and ensuring they continue to captivate audiences for years to come,” Safaee continued.

Smith, meanwhile, said: “For most of Celador Films’ existence, Pathé has acted efficiently and successfully as a distributor in Britain and France and as a sales agent in the rest of the world for almost all of the titles produced by Celador Films. Smith said the new deal is a “testament to this relationship, forged over many years, and that we entrust Celador Films to their stewardship.”

Pathé is having a busy year with several critical and commercial hits, including “The Count of Monte Cristo,” the second highest-grossing French-language film of 2024 to date, with nearly 9 million tickets sold; and Jacques Audiard’s crime musical “Emilia Perez,” which represents France in the Oscar race. Both films will compete at this year’s American French Film Festival.