The main corporate data at a glance:
- 1977 Bertelsmann establishes Ufa ATB
- 1979 Establishment of Universum Film and start of distribution of Films on video cassettes
- 1984 Distribution under the “Ufa Video” label
- 1987 Change of name to BMG Video/Universum Film GmbH
- 1993 CLT-UF in Luxemburg buys BMG Video/Universum Film GmbH
- 1998 Universum Film becomes a company of the RTL Group, the TV and film division of Bertelsmann AG
- 2001 RTL Television take over corporate responsibility
- 2002 Entry into the theatrical market, first release: PARTY ANIMALS
- 2003 Launch of the label UFA Kids (today: Universum KIDS)
- 2005 Entry into the co-production of feature films, first project OPEN WATER
- 2007-2009 Market Leadership of Kids Non Feature
- 2008 iTunes-Cooperation for Video-on-Demand
- 2009 Anniversary: 30 years Universum Film
Universum Film acquires film rights to release films in cinemas, on DVD and partly on Blu-Ray. As the leading independent video provider (not dependent on a studio) in the German-speaking market, Universum Film has nearly 65 employees and a market share of approx. 6% in sell-thru and 10% in rental.
Among German-speaking film hits Universum Film also releases international blockbusters on DVD and/or Blu-Ray. The most important titles in this segment are "Earth",
"P.S. Ich liebe Dich", "Almodovar"-Collection", "Transporter 1-3", as well as , "Brokeback Mountain". Also in Universum Film's program are classics like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "The Fifth Element".
Since 2007 Universum Film is the market leader in the childrens’ area with a market share of 16%. Universum Film’s wide range of titles include classics such as "Pippi Longstocking", by Astrid Lindgren, and the well known cartoon classics "Nils Holgersson", "Pinocchio", "Sindbad" and "Wickie, the Viking". Series such as ,"Caillou", "The Moon Bear", and "Little Red Tractor" are titles also released under our childrens’ label “ufa kids”. The highlight in 2009 are the czech movie classics such as "Pan Tau".
Universum Film also distributes successful TV series such as "CSI: Las Vegas", "CSI: Miami", and "CSI: New York" as well as the all-time favourites "21, Jump Street", "The Bill Cosby Show" and " Roseanne". We also offer the popular films from "Rosamunde Pilcher",
"Der Doktor und das liebe Vieh",
"Türkisch für Anfänger" and
"Doctor's Diary" in our catalogue.
In 2002, Universum Film founded its theatrical entertainment department and has since then evolved into an important independent film distributor in the German market releasing films in cinemas. Universum Film has released successful titles such as "Felix 2 - Der Hase und die verflixte Zeitmaschine", "Asterix und die Wikinger", "Open Water 2", "Crank", and "The Moon Bear's great adventure". A highlight in 2008 was the spectacular BBC feature film "Earth", which evolved into a blockbuster with over 3.7 million moviegoers and was awarded with the “Green Oscar” – the “Clean Energy Award”. In 2008 Universum Film released the fantastic drama "The Counterfeiters", which is based on the memories of one of the few living witnesses of the Nazi–time and received the Oscar® for "Best Foreign Language Film" in 2008.
Universum’s first and very successful release in 2009 was "Transporter 3" - third part of the franchise starring action hero Jason Statham, who also starred in the adrenaline packed "Crank 2 - High Voltage" released in spring 2009. Furthermore Universum Film’s range in 2009 was completed by the animated movie "Prinzessin Lillifee" as well as by "Summertime Blues" a romantic yet realistic teenage love and Coming of Age story and "Lippels Traum", which opened the Berlinale’s children’s section “Generation”. "Fame" - the dynamic reinvention of the legendary Oscar®-winning film of the 80ies starts on Christmas Eve 2009 at the cinemas.
Exciting action thriller "Gamer" by the directors of "Crank", starring Gerard Butler will be released in January 2010. Followed by another high explosive and action packed movie starring John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers: ."From Paris with Love"(OT). After the record-breaking film "Earth" Universum Film brings. "Oceans" to the big screen. The documentary offers an unprecedented look beneath the sea – a powerful yet enchanting motion picture. “Ponyo” from the Academy Award winning director Hayao Miyazaki is another highlight in 2010 as well as “The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec” by French star director Luc Besson. Furthermore the documentary “Serengeti” and the drama “Das Ende ist mein Anfang” based on the best selling book by Tiziano Terzani will complete the range in 2010.
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