Vuelta Germany CEO Al Munteanu, who spearheaded the integration of its entities SquareOne Entertainment, Telepool, and EuroVideo, is stepping down from his position to focus on his passion for production.
He is handing over the reins of Vuelta Germany to interim Managing Director Dirk Schweitzer. He remains a shareholder of Vuelta and will serve as a senior advisor. Also, while he is the sole owner of BriskPace Studios, the company will collaborate with Vuelta.
“We welcome Dr. Schweitzer to Vuelta Germany, who through his time as Managing Director of TeleMunchen, CEO of Splendid Media AG, and Chairman of MMC Studios, brings extensive expertise in both German distribution and production with strong local and international ties. Vuelta is looking forward to supporting Dirk and the Vuelta Germany team to further Vuelta’s strategic vision, investment, and growth in Germany,” said Vuelta Chairman Jerome Levy.
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Munteanu has assumed ownership of independent film and TV production boutique BriskPace Studios, which he has rebranded from SquareOne Productions.
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Positioned at the intersection of production, finance, brands and marketing, the London and Munich-based BriskPace Studios has a strong line up of ongoing productions and film and television development. Its team is experienced in managing domestic and international projects, leveraging its expertise in international co-production, sales and marketing.
Under Munteanu’s watch, Vuelta Germany successfully integrated German entities – SquareOne Entertainment, Telepool, and EuroVideo – aligning operations and key functions under one roof.
Telepool ́s international sales arm, Global Screen, has now been restructured under Playtime S.A., strengthening the newly consolidated division for theatrical and television titles.
In other achievements, the Vuelta Germany team struck a new booking and billing deal with Constantin Film for its extensive slate of theatrical films.
Twenty-year-old SquareOne Entertainment is one of country’s most prominent film distributors, with releases including The Imitation Game, Book Club, Trautmann, The Wife, All is Lost, and One Life . Upcoming releases include Last Breath, Bambi and William Tell. The merger with Telepool added a library of over one thousand titles.
“I am extremely proud of Vuelta Germany’s achievements under Jerome Levy ́s stewardship and am certain of the continued success of this thriving pan European production and distribution group of like-minded professionals,” said Munteanu.
“I cherish the continued strategic partnership with all teams in Vuelta, as BriskPace Studios is set for an ambitious next stage of growth as a well-capitalized, future facing boutique at the intersection of production, finance, brands and marketing”
Levy described Munteanu as a leading architect of the Vuelta strategy in Germany, with Vuelta Germany being instrumental in the 2024 acquisition of Telepool and the successful integration.
“While we will miss his leadership, we embrace his passion for production and wish him all the best for his future journey. I am certain he will bring the same energy and insight to expanding Brisk Pace Studios. Given our combined synergies across Europe, we look forward to collaborating with him and his team in the future,” he said.
Pan-European studio Vuelta brings together a network of distribution and production companies, including Pan in France, SquareOne/Telepool in Germany, WW Entertainment in Benelux, Indiana Production in Italy, Scanbox Entertainment in Scandinavia, as well as the Paris-based international sales division, Playtime.