Pathé is announcing a strategic partnership in the Netherlands and Belgium with film distributor The Searchers through the acquisition of a 50% stake in the company. This partnership enables Pathé to become active in film distribution, as it has already successfully done in France and Switzerland. Furthermore, this collaboration allows Pathé The Netherlands and Belgium to more effectively distribute films produced by Pathé Films, resulting in a richer and more diverse offering of high-quality movies for cinema audiences.
Jérôme Seydoux, Chairman Pathé, explains: “This strategic investment empowers us to further strengthen our offerings in the Netherlands and Belgium. Just like Pathé successfully distributes films in France and Switzerland, expanding to distribution in the Benelux is a natural step. Through this partnership, we can bring films produced by Pathé Films more successfully and reach a larger audience. This aligns perfectly with our ambition to deliver the best films and customer experiences.”
The Searchers has been a trusted partner of Pathé the Netherlands and Belgium for years, and their deep expertise in the Benelux market makes them the ideal choice for this strategic collaboration. Pathé-produced films will complement The Searchers’ existing release calendar. Meanwhile, Pathé Netherlands and Belgium remain committed to working closely with other distributors to ensure a broad and varied selection of films for audiences.
Olivier van den Broeck, Co-founder and Managing Director of The Searchers, shares: “Pathé is a legendary film company that embodies cinema in every fiber of its being while aiming to excel as a modern business in every aspect of the industry. This makes Pathé an exceptional yet natural partner for The Searchers moving forward. By adding Pathé Films to our strong and carefully curated release slate, we considerably increase our impact and expand our offering. Together, we strengthen our unique position as a leading independent distributor of both popular commercial films and distinctive auteur cinema.”
About Pathé
Founded in 1896, Pathé is one of the oldest film companies in the world and the only French studio still fully involved in production, sales, distribution, and exhibition.
For more than a century, Pathé has remained dedicated to distributing and producing outstanding films — from Academy Award winners such as “Emilia Pérez” by Jacques Audiard (featuring Zoë Saldaña, winner of the Best Actress award), “CODA” by Siân Heder to acclaimed period dramas like “The Iron Lady” by Phyllida Lloyd (which earned Meryl Streep the Academy Award for Best Actress), “The Queen” by Stephen Frears (featuring Helen Mirren, also an Academy Award winner), “Selma” by Ava DuVernay, and beloved animated classics like “Chicken Run.”
With a talent-driven creative approach, Pathé maintains long-standing and trusted relationships with leading filmmakers such as Pedro Almodóvar, Jane Campion, Paolo Sorrentino, Jean-Jacques Annaud, Paul Verhoeven, and Matteo Garrone and as well as emerging talents including Antonin Baudry (The Wolf’s Call), Siân Heder (CODA), Alice Winocour, Audrey Diwan, and Amélie Bonnin (Leave One Day – Opening Film, Cannes Film Festival).
Upcoming Pathé productions include, among others, “Ally” by Academy Award winner Bong Joon-Ho, “Bunker” by Academy Award winner Florian Zeller, starring Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, and 2026 Cannes Film Festival premieres: “Karma” by Guillaume Canet, starring Marion Cotillard (Out of Competition); “The Unknown” by Academy Award winner Arthur Harari, starring Léa Seydoux (In Competition), and “De Gaulle” by Antonin Baudry (Out of Competition).
Pathé is also a leading cinema network in continental Europe and West Africa, with more than 1300 screens, offering premium experiences through cutting-edge technologies such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and 4DX.