Pathé Hires FilmNation’s Ben Browning to Lead Big Expansion in English Language Production (EXCLUSIVE)
Pathé, the French production and exhibition powerhouse which is turning 130 next year, is getting ready to reboot its U.K. production division and make a big push in the English language landscape. The Paris-based company has hired FilmNation’s president of motion pictures Ben Browning as co-CEO of Pathé U.K. and has also tapped him to become president of global film, a newly created position.
Browning will join forces with Faith Penhale, Pathé UK’s co CEO to drive the expansion of the studio’s activities across both English-language film and television. Both will report to Ardavan Safaee, Pathé Films chairman.
An Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning producer, Browning has served as president of motion pictures at FilmNation since 2023 and was first appointed president of production and acquisitions in 2014. Under Browning’s tenure, FilmNation produced a raft of hits including “Arrival,” “The Big Sick,” “Promising Young Woman,” “Conclave” and “Anora.” While Pathé is best known for ambitious French movies, such as “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “The Three Musketeers,” it’s also delivered a few critical and commercial hits in the English-language space, notably “CODA” which won three Oscars including best picture in 2022. Prior to that, Pathé made “Slumdog Millionaire” with Danny Boyle which won eight Oscars, among others.
Pathé’s push in the prestige English language production space comes several months after welcoming a new shareholder, Rodolphe Saadé, a French-Lebanese shipping billionaire who 20% stake in May.
With Browning and Penhale on board, Pathé will now look produce and finance British and European films with global appeal, as well as premium television series.
“We are delighted to announce that Ben has chosen to join Pathé in spearheading the revitalization of our international film lineup,” said Safaee. “His extensive experience, distinguished reputation, and impeccable taste align perfectly with our vision to establish Pathé as a leading European studio. With Faith by his side, we are confident that we have assembled a formidable team poised to realize this ambitious goal,” Safaee continued.
Browning, meanwhile, said: “I am sincerely grateful for the trust Jérôme Seydoux, Ardavan Safaee and Faith Penhale are placing in me to help lead this move back into global film for Pathé — a legendary company that means so much to all lovers of cinema.”
Penhale said she has “known and admired Ben for years, his taste and passion is symbiotic with that of Pathé’s, with a dedication to identifying and supporting with the most exciting film-maker talent.”
“We are fortunate at Pathé to have the independence and confidence to build for the long term and I’m looking forward to working with Ben and leading Pathé UK into a new era, as we create a thriving and diverse slate across film and television and a stimulating, supportive talent centered environment,” Penhale continued.
Upcoming Pathé productions include “Bunker,” Florian Zeller’s next film starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem; as well as “Karma” by Guillaume Canet, starring Marion Cotillard; and “The Unknown” by Arthur Harari, the Oscar-winning co-screenwriter of “Anatomy of a Fall,” starring Léa Seydoux.
Browning will join forces with Faith Penhale, Pathé UK’s co CEO to drive the expansion of the studio’s activities across both English-language film and television. Both will report to Ardavan Safaee, Pathé Films chairman.
An Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning producer, Browning has served as president of motion pictures at FilmNation since 2023 and was first appointed president of production and acquisitions in 2014. Under Browning’s tenure, FilmNation produced a raft of hits including “Arrival,” “The Big Sick,” “Promising Young Woman,” “Conclave” and “Anora.” While Pathé is best known for ambitious French movies, such as “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “The Three Musketeers,” it’s also delivered a few critical and commercial hits in the English-language space, notably “CODA” which won three Oscars including best picture in 2022. Prior to that, Pathé made “Slumdog Millionaire” with Danny Boyle which won eight Oscars, among others.
Pathé’s push in the prestige English language production space comes several months after welcoming a new shareholder, Rodolphe Saadé, a French-Lebanese shipping billionaire who 20% stake in May.
With Browning and Penhale on board, Pathé will now look produce and finance British and European films with global appeal, as well as premium television series.
“We are delighted to announce that Ben has chosen to join Pathé in spearheading the revitalization of our international film lineup,” said Safaee. “His extensive experience, distinguished reputation, and impeccable taste align perfectly with our vision to establish Pathé as a leading European studio. With Faith by his side, we are confident that we have assembled a formidable team poised to realize this ambitious goal,” Safaee continued.
Browning, meanwhile, said: “I am sincerely grateful for the trust Jérôme Seydoux, Ardavan Safaee and Faith Penhale are placing in me to help lead this move back into global film for Pathé — a legendary company that means so much to all lovers of cinema.”
Penhale said she has “known and admired Ben for years, his taste and passion is symbiotic with that of Pathé’s, with a dedication to identifying and supporting with the most exciting film-maker talent.”
“We are fortunate at Pathé to have the independence and confidence to build for the long term and I’m looking forward to working with Ben and leading Pathé UK into a new era, as we create a thriving and diverse slate across film and television and a stimulating, supportive talent centered environment,” Penhale continued.
Upcoming Pathé productions include “Bunker,” Florian Zeller’s next film starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem; as well as “Karma” by Guillaume Canet, starring Marion Cotillard; and “The Unknown” by Arthur Harari, the Oscar-winning co-screenwriter of “Anatomy of a Fall,” starring Léa Seydoux.