Styhon Entertainment

Styhon Entertainment Partners, Inc. (trading as Styhon Entertainment) is a Finnish-owned American media and entertainment company based in Los Angeles. Founded by Howard Styhon in 1993 and sold to Kasperi Salovaara (who also owns Zoop Music Entertainment) in 2021, it focuses on foreign and independent films and has distributed various commercially successful films.

It is one of the largest international sales and film distribution companies by library and availability.

Under the Styhon Networks division, it also operates a group of digital cable and satellite channels, which broadcast a mix of original programs and the company's syndicated content. Before the sale to Salovaara, the company's majority stake was split between Access Industries and Howard Styhon.

They distribute Brittania Pictures's movies internationally, while Brittania distributes their films in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and the UK.

Styhon Brothers Entertainment
In 1986, after the dissolution of Producers Sales Organization, brothers Howard and Ronald Styhon started a production company, Styhon Brothers Entertainment.

In 1988, Styhon Brothers Entertainment struck "slate financing" deals with New World Pictures and, in 1990, Cannon Group; they were one of, if not the first, of their kind; agreeing to finance a number of their original productions.

In 1992, Styhon Brothers ran into some financial difficulties, but quickly recovered.

Styhon Entertainment
In 1993, Howard Styhon left Styhon Brothers to found his own production company Styhon Entertainment, and immediately struck a deal with Warner Bros.

In 1998, Styhon Entertainment, Warner Bros. and Canal+ helped Steven Reuther found his own production company Bel-Air Entertainment. It sadly went bankrupt around 2002 and it was integrated back into Styhon.

In 2020, Styhon Entertainment expanded drastically after a merger with Morgan Creek Entertainment, Revolution Studios, Red Granite International, Lightyear Entertainment, HALO 8 Entertainment, The Film Arcade, Pro-Active Entertainment Group (ClickStar), Excel Entertainment Group, and Hannover House, and acquisition of most assets from Ultra V Holdings, owner of Relativity Media.

With these changes, Styhon Entertainment became the latest mini-major film studio, and a member of the Motion Picture Association. They also recruited Stephen J. Anderson, Mark Johnson, Jordan Kerner and Gavin Polone as part of their management board.

On November 30, 2020, Styhon Entertainment purchased a site in Syracuse, New York with intentions to build a facility known as the Central New York Film Hub.

In 2021, Styhon Entertainment acquired distribution offices of Brittania Pictures in Africa (including South Africa and Egypt), Asia (including Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Russia and Hong Kong) and Latin America (including Brazil). The deal also included Afpak Films - its distribution arm in the Middle East - and majority-owned CX7 Entertainment - which was a spin-off of Brittania Pictures's distribution offices in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Moldovia, Ukraine and ex-Yugoslavia countries.

They also acquired Brittania Pictures's distribution offices in Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Ireland; the first two were closed shortly afterwards, with the latter two being merged into Styhon's Fishfilm GmbH and newly-acquired Element Pictures respectively. They closed Brittania Pictures Japan, in favor of establishing a distribution deal with Longride; offices in Australia were merged into Australian Filmgroup, though select films are set to be co-distributed by Roadshow Films.

They also acquired Metropolitan Filmexport and Davis Films from the Hadida brothers, and Brittania Pictures France, and moved the two companies under Cinéa. Brittania France's distribution deals outside of Brittania, and "non-film import operations" of Metropolitan, will move to Cinéa. Brittania Pictures's Belgium and Luxembourg operations were merged into Cinéa Belux, which also moved under Cinéa.

Debt controversy
In 2020, Styhon Television's international distribution arm Styhon International Television filed for bankruptcy, due to immense debt. The debt was actually inherited actively from other divisions within Styhon Entertainment. They were soon investigated by FTC, yet they weren't successful enough to sue Styhon for these practices.

Due to this, the group of companies had to be sold, to investor Kasperi Salovaara for $872 million USD, including the forgiven debt. Commenting on the acquisition, Salovaara said "it would've cost almost a dollar, but [Styhon] didn't want it to wither into bankruptcy".

Logo
For newer prints of Revolution and Jim Henson titles, the Morgan Creek theme was used. The print logo and the motion logo seen in television shows and pre-2022 films include the Styhon Entertainment name, but since the release of the trailer for the American remake of I Saw the Devil (2022), the logo only features the Styhon S.

Distributed by Styhon International

 * Brittania Pictures (2020-present) - distribution outside Western Europe and North America only
 * Vertical Entertainment (2021-present) - distribution outside Europe and North America only
 * Neon (2021-present) - distribution in non-English-speaking markets only
 * Nu Image/Millennium Media (2021-present) - distribution in non-English-speaking markets only
 * Red Granite Pictures (2020-present)
 * Huayi Brothers (2020-present) - distribution outside Asia only
 * A24 Films (2021-present) - distribution in Africa, South America and Oceania only
 * AMBI Group (2020-present) - distribution outside North America and Europe only
 * The Recorded Film Company (2020-present)

International distribution of Styhon's films

 * Svensk Filmindustri (Nordic countries, 2021-present)
 * Brittania Pictures (UK, Netherlands, Spain and Portugal, 2021-present)
 * Pathé (Switzerland, 2021-present)
 * Leone Film Group and Eagle Pictures (Italy, 2021-present)
 * Longride (Japan, 2021-present)
 * CJ Entertainment (South Korea, 2020-present)

List of assets

 * Styhon Filmed Entertainment
 * Styhon Image Nation - a joint venture with Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Creative Wealth Media to finance 10-15 films a year
 * Styhon Golden Screen Ventures - financing and production initiatives/joint ventures with local film institutes and funds around the world, such as INCAA in Argentina, Danish Film Institute in Denmark, Ancine in Brazil, and Nordisk Film og TV Fond across the Nordic countries; active since 2020: does not operate within the continental United States, the UK, China or Australia
 * Styhon Family Entertainment - a distribution division dedicated to its own animated films, as well as foreign family films
 * The K Entertainment Company - acquired with Jordan Kenner joining the management of Styhon Entertainment in 2020
 * Abbey Home Media - UK distributor of family entertainment
 * Styhon Animation - animated the sequences for Sesame Street and The Electric Company; also provides animation services for South Park and Family Guy
 * Styhon Animation Glendale - formerly called Renegade Animation
 * Los Doras - an animation department comprised of former employees of DisneyToon Studios
 * Styhon Animation Los Angeles - formerly called ShadowMachine
 * False Productions - joint venture with Seth McFarlane and Megan Ellison
 * Loaded Dice Productions - Styhon Animation's IATSE union signatory entity formed to provide high-end production for networks that require union production; also works on Sheep Family with False Productions
 * Styhon Animation Oregon - formerly ShadowMachine's Portland, OR office
 * Jensen Rhine Films
 * The Jim Henson Company (50% stake, a joint venture with the Henson family and Disney) - owns the Muppets, Sesame Workshop and Jim Henson library, Styhon handles part of the international distribution and licensing through SFE
 * Sesame Workshop Entertainment
 * Jim Henson Pictures
 * Henson Alternative
 * Styhon International - formerly Relativity Media International
 * Australian Filmgroup - Australian distributor of Styhon's film library
 * AFG/Roadshow Films Distribution LP - a joint venture with Roadshow Films to distribute select films
 * Fishfilm GmbH - Germany
 * Cinéa - revival of French arm of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
 * Metropolitan Films
 * Brittania Pictures France - legally known as Mars/Styhon Droits Audiovisuels, it's a 50/50 joint venture with Mars Distribution to distribute Brittania Pictures films in France
 * Cinéa Belux - acquired from Galaxy Studios as Zilvermeer Productions (when Galaxy Studios was acquired by Styhon Studio Facilities), merged with its financing and tax shelter department Mollywood, and Brittania Pictures's Benelux operations; were moved under Cinéa as its new division for operations within Belgium and Luxembourg
 * Cinéa Films - formerly Philippe Carcassonne's production company Cine@; Carcassonne became part of Cinéa's management board in 2020 and the company was converted into its film production arm
 * EuropaCorp (5%) - bought a 2.9% stake from Fundemental Films and a 2.1% stake from Frontline
 * CX7 Entertainment - 85% stake, other 15% is owned by the company's management
 * Afpak Films - Middle East
 * Sparta Film Company - Mediterranean film distribution arm, founded in Athens in 2013 by the Manaki brothers
 * Sydänkalvo
 * Brittania Pictures Brazil - founded as FilmeWorld in 1983, then changed name to Chaso Filme in 1990, until they were acquired by Brittania Pictures in 1999
 * Element Pictures
 * Krupny Plan
 * Lionsgate Elosztás - a joint venture with Lionsgate to distribute films by both Lionsgate and Styhon Entertainment in Hungary; part of Globalgate Entertainment
 * Styhon Entertainment UK - formed out of a merger between HandMade Films International, Enbankment Films, Axiom Films, Altitude Film Distribution, Altitude Film Sales, HanWay Films, Park Circus and Dogwoof Sales/Dogwoof Releasing
 * HandMade Films
 * Dogwoof Pictures
 * TDog Productions - invite-only fund for documentaries
 * Altitude Film Production
 * Thunderbird Releasing - formerly an independent all-rights film distribution company, most of its operations was merged into Styhon Entertainment UK and now works as a joint venture between them and Thunderbird Entertainment
 * Blumhouse International - a joint venture with Blumhouse Productions
 * Styhon Independent Pictures - legally known as Brooklyn & Vine Partners LLC
 * Rogue Entertainment - a genre film distribution division formerly owned by Relativity Media and Universal Pictures
 * Bleecker Street - a smaller-scale "boutique" film distribution division
 * Grand Planet Entertainment
 * Revolution Studios - who owns the film libraries of:
 * Morgan Creek Entertainment
 * Franchise Pictures (international rights only)
 * Cold Spring Pictures
 * GK Films (international rights only)
 * Lakeshore Entertainment (international distribution, sequel, adaptation and other related rights only)
 * all films directed by Barry Mahon
 * the Rank Organisation
 * Broad Green Pictures
 * Intermedia
 * Beacon Pictures
 * Touchwood Pacific Partners and Silver Screen Partners I-IV
 * Media 8 Entertainment
 * Jerry Weintraub Productions
 * The Kennedy/Marshall Company
 * Outlaw Productions
 * Weed Road Pictures
 * DiBonaventura Films/Productions
 * Will Packer Productions (international rights only)
 * Baltimore Pictures
 * Cruise/Wagner Productions
 * The Canton Company/Atmosphere Entertainment MM
 * Smoke House Pictures
 * Section Eight Productions
 * Cross Creek Pictures (international distribution, sequel, adaptation and other related rights only)
 * Mandalay Entertainment (pre-2009 film library only)
 * Distant Horizon
 * Magnolia Pictures (international rights only)
 * Calvin Company
 * Boxoffice International Pictures
 * Associated Producers Incorporated
 * Regal Pictures
 * Lippert Pictures
 * Flying A Productions
 * John Ford films
 * Hammer Films (US rights only)
 * Eagle-Lion Films
 * King Brothers Productions
 * Cannon Pictures (pre-December 31, 1982 films only)
 * Compass International Pictures
 * Larry Darmour Productions
 * Shaw Brothers Studio (international rights only - outside East Asia)
 * Producers Releasing Corporation
 * Grand National Pictures films
 * Silver Pictures' film library released prior to January 1, 1995
 * Berolina Film
 * Althoff Studios
 * Tradewind Pictures
 * Gloria Film
 * Bavaria Film
 * Constantin Film (pre-January 1, 2000 films only)
 * Hightop Releasing - theatrical booking services for indie filmmakers, acquired from Focus Features/FilmDistrict
 * LD Entertainment - film division managed by Mickey Lidell, became a vanity label under Hightop
 * Worldview Entertainment - financing division
 * Trigger Street Productions - currently inactive
 * Styhon Home Entertainment Group - formed out of a merger between Relativity Media Home Entertainment and Hannover House
 * Styhon Games & Interactive Ventures
 * Styhon Games - an indie publishing division
 * Styhon Mobile - a division for iPhone, iOS and Android games
 * Styhon Immersive Entertainment - develops VR games, as well as VR programming and other immersive content
 * Styhon Digital Network - a multi-channel network
 * Styhon Branded Content - formed out of a merger between Relativity Digital Studios and Madvine
 * Styhon Internet Group - dot-com related operations
 * Styhon Anti-Piracy Operations
 * Styhon VOD & Archival Operations - media distribution arm that specializes in Movies Anywhere and TV Everywhere-based services, also archives and distributes older titles on demand
 * Styhon Television
 * Styhon Media Sales & Syndication - an ad sales and syndication division, which is a joint venture with Weigel Broadcasting
 * Styhon Television Studios - a television production arm similar to ABC Signature Studios and Fox21 Television Studios
 * Salovaara Media Group - formed out of assets of Kew Media Group and Datsit Sphere
 * SMG Kids & Family - formed out of a merger between Bristow Global Media (BGM) children's entertainment department, Datsit Studios's youth department and MHQ's light entertainment department
 * Awesome Media & Entertainment (minority stake)
 * Oasis Animation
 * Bristow Global Media (BGM)
 * DATSIT Studios
 * WaZabi Films
 * Sphere Media Plus
 * Quiet Motion
 * Architect Films
 * 4East Media
 * Spirit Digital Media
 * Our House Media
 * Go Films
 * Sienna Films
 * Media Headquarters Film and Television (MHQ)
 * Kew Media Distribution
 * TCB Media Rights
 * Styhon Media Networks
 * Creek+
 * Creek+ Kids and Family
 * Creek+ Western
 * Creek+ Romance
 * Creek+ Classics
 * Styhon Studio Facilities - formed out of merger between Raleigh Enterprises and Facility Prince
 * Styhon Studios - formerly The Burbank Studios and Warner Bros. Ranch
 * Styhon Studios Las Palmas - formerly Sunset Las Palmas Studios
 * Styhon Studios Seward Street - formerly Line 204 Studios
 * Styhon Studio Services - formerly Zio Studio Services, now headquartered in the Seward Street Studios
 * Styhon Studios Hollywood - formerly Raleigh Studios
 * Styhon Studios Albuquerque - formerly Albuquerque Studios
 * Styhon Studios Roswell - formerly Roswell Studios
 * Park City Film Studios
 * Sun Valley Studios
 * Steiner Studios
 * Styhon Studio Facilities Europe - formerly Galaxy Studios Group
 * Styhon Studios Mol
 * Styhon Studios Babelsberg
 * Styhon Studios Prague - still colloqually known and trading as Barrandov Studios
 * Central New York Film Hub - upcoming
 * Styhon Ventures
 * Styhon Education Ventures - formerly Relativity Education
 * Styhon Management - a management firm
 * Styhon Sports - merger between Relativity Sports and Mandalay Sports Entertainment
 * Styhon Consumer Products & Experiences
 * Styhon Books - joint venture with Bertlesmann
 * Styhon Cinemas Group - created for acquisitions of cinemas worldwide
 * Styhon Records - a joint venture with Zoop Music Entertainment
 * Regency Enterprises

Former divisions

 * Styhon International Television - an international distribution arm of Styhon Television, filed for bankruptcy in 2020.
 * Bel-Air Entertainment - founded as a joint venture with Canal+, Steven Reuther and Warner Bros. in 1998, integrated back into Styhon Entertainment around 2002.

In development
Styhon Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Pathé announced the development of an American remake of 99 Francs, with the working title of "The Burnout", set to start pre-production in March 2021.