MATT BRODLIE AND JONATHAN KIER LAUNCH CONSTANTIN FILM–BACKED UPGRADE PRODUCTIONS

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 12, 2021) Accomplished industry executives Matt Brodlie and Jonathan Kier have today announced the launch of Upgrade Productions, a Los Angeles based production company that develops and produces premium local language productions for a global audience.

With backing from German powerhouse Constantin Film, and a strategic partnership with BRON, Upgrade is set to capitalize on the booming demand for local language content worldwide as audiences become even more global in their viewing habits.

Upgrade co-president Brodlie highlighted, “There has been a profound shift in the viewing habits around the globe that has led to a dramatic increase in the demand for foreign language films and series.   Drawing from relationships with creative talent around the world, we are driven to bring compelling stories to the big and small screen. We already have an amazing slate in active development and are thrilled to officially launch.”  Fellow co-president Kier continued, “It’s equally exciting to be working with Constantin Film, BRON and distributors that we have worked with from around the world as they expand into the content production space to provide the series and feature films that audiences are waiting for. These are exciting times for our industry and for the local creators stepping onto the global stage.”

Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film’s CEO, said, “Matt Brodlie and Jonathan Kier are synonymous with success and style and under their leadership Upgrade Productions will be an immense source of pride for us all. Our efforts to bring top quality productions to the audiences of the world has reached a new level. I and the whole Constantin Film team look very much forward to be part of this exceptional journey.”

Oliver Berben, deputy CEO added, “Matt and Jonathan are perhaps two of industry’s most experienced and knowledgeable professionals working in local language content and the international marketplace. They are at the top of their game with wonderful creative instincts and we are looking forward to working together.  Growth of local language production for the worldwide marketplace is part of our mission statement, it is the wave of the future, and we are delighted to be part of this team.”

Having deep relationships within the global creative industry from decades of producing, buying and selling, the Upgrade team is already working with some of the world’s leading creators and production companies in territories including Eastern Europe, Latin America and Japan among others.  Upgrade is actively financing development of original IP with local authors, filmmakers and showrunners, with the first feature film and television projects to be announced within the coming weeks. 

Given expertise built up over many years from tenure at studios, streaming services and production companies, Brodlie and Kier are being joined at Upgrade by Max Kondziolka as Manager of International Sales and Production, coming from Sierra Affinity; and Clara Bartlett who takes on the role of Content Manager after working with Brodlie at Disney+ and Netflix. Additional senior staffing positions are set to be announced shortly.

Matt Brodlie most recently served as the Senior Vice President of International Content for Disney+, where he led the content strategy for the company in all non-US markets. From inception, his team built a development slate of narrative and unscripted series and films across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America.

Prior to Disney+, Matt was director of Original Film at Netflix where he was responsible for some of streamer’s biggest early hits including Set It Up and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.  He oversaw production of action and sci-fi films such as McG’s Rim Of The World and Jonas Akerlund’s Polar. Matt also acquired and shepherded awards films Roma, Mudbound and Klaus.

Brodlie has held a number of senior executive positions in both production and acquisitions at studios like Paramount, where he helped build Paramount Vantage, and ran the local language film department for the studio overseeing films across the world. Before Paramount, Matt managed local language productions in Spain, France and Italy at Sony, as well as oversaw productions at TriStar. He started his career with 10 years at Miramax where he focused on acquiring non-English films like Hero, Amélie, City Of God, Shaolin Soccer, and The Barbarian Invasions.

Jonathan Kier most recently served as the President of Sierra/Affinity, the leading finance, production and foreign sales company, now part of eOne and Hasbro.  During his tenure at Sierra/Affinity Jonathan managed the worldwide sales and distribution of films such as Spotlight, I, Tonya, Atomic Blonde, Manchester by the Sea, Nightcrawler, Whiplash, Ender’s Game, Drive, The Place Beyond the Pines, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and The United States Vs. Billie Holiday.

Prior to Sierra/Affinity, Jonathan was responsible for overseeing all aspects of The Weinstein Company and Dimension film releases in over 50 countries from the initial local theatrical releases through home video, television and digital platforms.   Titles included such household favorites as The King’s Speech, The Reader, Tropa de Elite, Quentin Tarantino’s Grind House and Inglourious Basterds, animated films Hoodwinked and Igor, and Alex Aja’s Piranha 3D.

ABOUT CONSTANTIN FILM

Constantin Film has been synonymous with quality and success for over 40 years. It has played a crucial role in establishing German cinema and television both nationally and internationally. Between 1977, when Bernd Eichinger established the company, and today, Constantin Film has emerged as the most successful independent production and distribution company in the German media industry. Constantin Film’s operations include German and English language motion picture theatrical production, theatrical distribution, home entertainment distribution, licensing and television production.

Constantin Film’s diverse slate includes box office hits and award-winning films alike, ranging from comic book to literary adaptations, historical dramas, action and genre, among them THE NEVERENDING STORY, THE FANTASTIC FOUR film franchise, THE NAME OF THE ROSE, NOWHERE IN AFRICA, DOWNFALL, PERFUME: THE STORY OF A MURDERER, THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX, POPE JOAN, THE HOUSE OF SPIRITS, FACK JU GOEHTE 1-3, three of the biggest ever German box office hits, the RESIDENT EVIL film franchise and MONSTER HUNTER.

In the ever-growing field of TV and streaming platforms, Constantin Film has also been stepping up its television production business, including BLACK BEAUTY for Disney+, global hit series SHADOWHUNTERS and PERFUME, the highly anticipated series adaption of WE CHILDREN FROM BAHNHOF ZOO and numerous other shows for major streaming platforms and broadcasters in Germany and around the world. Constantin Film will also produce a RESIDENT EVIL series for Netflix.

Press Contacts

For Upgrade Productions

MLPR

Maxine@maxineleonard.com

Cell: 310 404 1746

For Constantin Film

presse@constantin.film