XYZ Films hires former film factory executive to oversee new global film slate, including Cannes title ‘In Flames’

XYZ Films has hired Manon Barat, a former executive at Spanish distribution company Film Factory, to oversee a series of titles that will fall under the company’s recently launched global film initiative, New Visions.

Barat will work with Todd Brown, XYZ’s head of international acquisitions, to oversee the new roster, which the company described as a “highly curated collection of films.”

XYZ will present the new table in Cannes In flames, a Pakistani-Canadian horror film directed by Zarrar Kahn and executive produced by Shant Joshi. The photo will appear as part of the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar. Check out a first impression of the film below.

Other titles from the original New Visions series include Czech Sci-Fi Picture recovery point, directed by Robert Hloz and produced by Jan Kallista, whose footage will be shown at the Marché du Film as part of the Fantastic 7 programme. Paul Duane’s upcoming Irish folk horror All you need is death is also part of the table.

XYZ said today that the New Visions roster will “support the next generation of great filmmakers as they launch their careers” and “give established talent the space to do something smaller, more intimate or more challenging outside the usual box of independent filmmaking do.”

“I have always considered XYZ to be one of the most creative and daring leaders, and it is an honor to join the team,” said Barat. “I am excited to be on board this specialized cadre that will be talent-driven and actively seeking daring filmmakers who I believe will be leaders in their generation.”

During her time at Film Factory, Barat worked on titles such as Jayro Bustamante Volcano (Ixcanul), TrembleAnd Llorona, which was nominated for a Golden Globe. Other highlights are those of Fernando Trueba Forget that we will beselected for Cannes 2020. In 2022 she worked on Carlos Vermuts manticoreand winning the San Sebastian Golden Shell The kings of the world by Laura Mora.

“What we’re saying with the New Visions Slate is that no matter how XYZ continues to grow and change, we will never allow ourselves to lose our roots,” Brown said.

“With this new initiative, we are very proactive in creating a space for our next generation of talent to shine, a space for both new talent and established voices that want to challenge and redefine themselves. We couldn’t be more excited about the future and are delighted to have Manon on this journey with us.”