StudioCanal has announced a leadership change in its German division, naming Hooman Afshari and Lutz Rippe as Co-Chief Executive Officers, effective 1 June 2025.
The appointment follows the departure of long-standing CEO Kalle Friz, who is set to leave the company in July after 16 years.
Afshari and Rippe (pictured), who have served as Co-Managing Directors of StudioCanal Germany since 2023, bring extensive experience to the new role. They will report to Alex Hamilton, Chief International Officer at StudioCanal.
Afshari joined StudioCanal in 2012 as Vice President of Theatrical Distribution, later overseeing all distribution activities in Germany. His career in the film industry spans 25 years. Rippe, who entered the company in 2006, has led theatrical and home entertainment marketing since 2018, and was also promoted to Co-MD alongside Afshari in 2023.
The duo has been instrumental in the German release strategies of international titles such as Paddington, La La Land, Back to Black, and The Hunger Games, as well as local productions including Heidi, The Little Witch, and Balloon.
“I am delighted to announce the promotion of Hooman Afshari and Lutz Rippe as Co-CEOs of StudioCanal Germany. Their passion for film, their commitment to StudioCanal and Canal+, and their knowledge of the industry are exceptional and make them the best possible choice for their new roles. They are the natural successors to Kalle Friz, who has made StudioCanal Germany such a success,” said Alex Hamilton, Chief International Officer at StudioCanal.
Anna Marsh, CEO of StudioCanal and Chief Content Officer at Canal+, added: “I join Alex Hamilton in warmly congratulating Hooman Afshari and Lutz Rippe on their appointment as Co-CEOs of Studiocanal Germany. Having delivered outstanding results over many years, they are exceptionally well-positioned to lead the business into its next chapter of success.”
“I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Kalle Friz for his remarkable leadership and dedication over the past 16 years. Kalle is an outstanding professional, a rare talent, and a generous colleague with whom I have had the privilege to work closely. On behalf of StudioCanal, I extend our deepest thanks and wish him every success in his future endeavours,” said Marsh.
StudioCanal, a subsidiary of Canal+, operates across major European markets as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and China. The studio finances, produces and distributes around 80 films annually and holds a catalogue of more than 9,400 titles, making it one of the largest collections of European films in the world.
