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 2008 Entry into the digital distribution for Home Entertainment
• 2009 Anniversary: 30 years Universum Film
• 2010 Bernhard zu Castell appointed managing director

Universum Film is a Munich/Germany based company which has been in the home entertainment business since 1979 and is one of the market leaders at present. 2002, Universum Film founded its theatrical entertainment department and has since then evolved into an important independent film distributor in the German market. Universum Film is a subsidiary of the RTL Group which is a company of the Bertelsmann Group. Since 2010 Bernhard zu Castell is managing director of Universum Film.

Universum Film Theatrical Entertainment

Since founding its theatrical entertainment department Universum Film has evolved into an important independent film distributor in the German market releasing films in cinemas. Universum Film has released successful titles such as the spectacular BBC feature film "Earth", which evolved into a blockbuster with over 3.7 million moviegoers, "Transporter 3" - third part of the franchise starring action hero Jason Statham, who also starred in the adrenaline-packed "Crank", the Christmas movie "Niko - The Way To The Stars", "Princess Lillifee","Felix 2 - Der Hase und die verflixte Zeitmaschine","Asterix und die Wikinger", "The Moon Bear's great adventure" and "Fame"- the dynamic reinvention of the legendary 80ies film. Universum Film also released the fantastic Oscar® awarded dramas "The Counterfeiters" and “Crash”.

In 2010 Universum Film released the action thriller Gamer" starring Gerard Butler as well as the action packed "From Paris with Love" starring John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. After the record-breaking film "Earth" Universum Film brought "Oceans" to the big screen. The documentary offers an unprecedented look beneath the sea. Further highlights in 2010 were "StreetDance 3D" - the first dance movie in 3D, "Ponyo" from the Academy Award winning director Hayao Miyazaki as well as “Adèle” by French star director Luc Besson. Furthermore the drama "Das Ende ist mein Anfang", based on the best selling book by Tiziano Terzani, completed the range in 2010.

The diversity of Universum Film’s repertoire can also be seen by looking on other 2011 releases: "Mother and child" , a subtle drama by Rodrigo Garcia featuring Academy Award nominees Naomi Watts and Annette Bening and Samuel L. Jackson, as well as the Academy Award winning drama "In a Better World" by acclaimed Danish director Susanne Bier and “Drive” (to be released in 2012) by director Nicolas Winding Refn who was awarded “best director” in Cannes 2011 for his brilliant action thriller starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan.

Family entertainment is a mainstay of Universum Film. After the highly successful first part "Princess Lillifee" the sequel “Princess Lillifee and the Unicorn” came to cinemas in September 2011 – once more enchanting its audience. In 2012 Universum Film will present a range of family entertainment titles such as “Sams im Glück”, “Niko 2 - The Flying Reindeer Rides Again" and “Der kleine Rabe Socke”.

Thrill, fun and some serious action can be expected by other highlights of 2012. The infamous director duo of “Crank” strikes again with Ghostrider: Spirit of Vengeance while Nicolas Cage returns as “Johnny Blaze”. Sex on the Beach is hilariously funny and Britain’s most successful comedy of the last decade. After the huge success of the first part the sequel “Street Dance 2 3D” will come to cinemas next year.

”The Grey” is an action thriller by “The A-Team” director Joe Carnahan starring Liam Neeson who will also be in “96 Hours II” – sequel to the internationally successful thriller. ”The Lady” is an epic yet romantic film based upon the life story of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi played by Michelle Yeoh produced and directed by Luc Besson. Other of next year’s highlights are “The Raven” starring John Cusack, “Lock-out” with Guy Pearce and “Dredd 3D” with Karl Urban.

Universum Film Home Entertainment

Besides a large variety of German-speaking films Universum Film also releases international blockbusters on DVD, Blu-ray and via Video-on-Demand. In its Blu-ray releases Universum Film integrates the BD-Live technology, which offers the viewer additional special features via download from the internet. The most important titles in this segment are "P.S. I love you", "Earth", "The Reader", "1408", ”Crank", ”The Road", "Pans Labyrinth", "Babel" , "Brokeback Mountain" , "Transporter 3" , "Death Proof", as well as "Little Nicholas". Also part of Universum Film's extensive program are classics like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "The Fifth Element". In 2011 the company is presenting new highlights such as "The King’s Speech", “The Fighter” and “Season of the Witch”. With a market share of 42% Universum was also market leader in the Anime segment in 2009. Some of the most successful releases from this label include the Oscar® winning film “Spirited Away”, “Princess Mononoke” and “Howl's Moving Castle”.

Universum Film has been one of the leading companies in the segment “Kids Home Entertainment” for many years. The release highlights of the “Universum Kids” childrens’ label in 2011 are “The Jungle Book”, “Trenk, the Little Knight” and the LEGO radio plays (LEGO City and Ninjago). The label’s wide range of titles includes classics such as "Pippi Longstocking" by Astrid Lindgren and the popular cartoon classics "Nils Holgersson", "Pinocchio", "Sindbad" and "Wickie, the Viking". Series for younger children such as "Caillou", "The Moon Bear", and "Little Red Tractor" and popular Czech movie classics like "Pan Tau" round off the assortment.

Universum Film is currently not only market leader in the segment of “German TV series” with a market share of 22%, but also in the segment of “German TV Movies” (16%). Its wide range of German TV series includes titles like "Doctor's Diary", "Türkisch für Anfänger" and “Alarm für Cobra 11”. Besides these current German favorites, series such as CSI: Las Vegas", CSI: Miami, and CSI: New York are the big sellers in this segment, as well as German classics like “Der Kommissar” and US all-time favourites such as 21. Jump Street, The Bill Cosby Show, Roseanne and “Kojak”. Part of this successful Home Entertainment segment are also the romantic novels-turned-into-movies by Rosamunde Pilcher and the UK classic "Der Doktor und das liebe Vieh" (All Creatures Great and Small). Elaborate TV movies like "Die Säulen der Erde” (The Pillars of the Earth), “Die Wanderhure” and “Schicksalsjahre” complete the comprehensive TV Home Entertainment range.

After the highlights of 2011 such as “Der Mann mit dem Fagott”, a filmic adaptation of Udo Jürgen’s life story, and the complete edition “Doctor’s Diary Komplettbox” new releases in 2012 include among others “Die Rache der Wanderhure” and “Transporter – Die Serie”.