Universal Pictures Hires Kalle Friz as Germany Chief: Former StudioCanal Exec Takes Over!

Kalle Friz, formerly of StudioCanal, has been appointed as the new Managing Director for Germany and Austria at Universal Pictures International.

In his new role, Friz will oversee the operations within these key markets under the leadership of Paul Higginson, who serves as the Executive Vice President for EMEA at Universal Pictures International. Germany and Austria represent some of the largest markets for theatrical releases within the company.

Karel De Vries, who adeptly managed the teams in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands during the search for a new German Managing Director, will assume the position of Managing Director for the Netherlands following Friz’s integration into his new role.

Friz is set to join Universal Pictures International in July 2025. His responsibilities will include driving box office success and establishing strategic aims and objectives across the business facets of sales, distribution, acquisitions, marketing, publicity, and finance in the region, as detailed in a UPI statement.

During his 16 years at StudioCanal, Friz held numerous high-profile positions including EVP International Operations and CEO for Germany. He successfully managed the German releases of major English-language films such as the “Paddington” series, and franchises like “The Hunger Games” and “Saw,” in addition to local German productions like “Heidi” and “The Little Witch.”

Before his tenure at StudioCanal, Friz led Fox Searchlight’s operations in Germany from 2002 to 2009, where he was responsible for acquiring and overseeing the release of notable films including “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Juno,” “28 Days Later,” and “Black Swan.”

Paul Higginson remarked, “Kalle brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the film distribution industry. His innovative distribution strategies, deep understanding of the German market, and leadership qualities make him an ideal fit for spearheading our growth initiatives in these crucial territories. We are excited to have him lead our efforts and build on our strong market presence.”