Focus Features International office to close in December

Focus Features International, a branch of Universal’s Focus Features label, is set to close at the end of next month. The move comes shortly after FilmDistrict founder Peter Schlessel was named Focus’ new chief.

The move wasn’t too much of a surprise, as Focus undergoes a complete overhaul, notes The Hollywood Reporter. However, the official announcement didn’t come until today, just before the start of the American Film Market in Santa Monica, where Focus International has been a key player for years.

It will try to continue business when the AFM starts next Wednesday, with Universal’s international distribution branch being used for some titles. Sales for other titles will be done by a third-party agent.

According to Deadline, Focus International was based in London and had 16 employees, who will be looking for work starting on Dec. 31.

Alison Thompson lead Focus International as co-president with Andrew Karpen, who is out of Focus now, since he declined to move to Los Angeles. Schlessel has decided to close the Focus New York office already, centralizing all operations in Los Angeles.