Omar Sy, Louis Leterrier & Thomas Benski’s Carrousel Taps Cécile Gaget

Newly-launched Carrousel Studios has appointed French film industry veteran Cécile Gaget as its CEO, with effect from May 1.

Billed as an artists-first European independent studio and media company, Carrousel Studios was launched in March by actor-producer Omar Sy, producer-director Louis Leterrier and entrepreneur/producer Thomas Benski.

Their aim is to develop and produce multi-generational, high quality and high-concept entertainment for the global audience.

In her new role, Gaget will utilize her sales and film finance expertise to help expand and grow upon the Carrousel’s founders’ capabilities.

Based out of Paris, her mission will be to ramp up a local and global production slate, forge strategic partnerships and more specifically oversee development, production, financing and distribution strategies.

“I am very grateful to Omar, Louis, and Thomas for their trust in my abilities to help build and lead this studio to its fullest potential. I’m thrilled to embark on this journey with Carrousel Studios, united by a shared vision and a collective drive to create and produce high end and bold content for a global audience,” said Gaget.

Most recently, Gaget led the Wild Bunch group as Head of Film, where she contributed to pivoting the activities to local production as well as switching the French theatrical slate to bold and mainstream titles including the hit Academy Award-winning film The Boy and the Heron.

Prior to the Wild Bunch group, Gaget spent two years with the Euro producer and financier Anton as President of Int’l Production and distribution helping the mini studio to ramp up the slate production and int’l sales team, to support guiding the further international growth of the company.

During her time there, she leveraged her relationships within the European creative and distribution community to establish and develop new film projects. Gaget also led the acquisitions team and oversaw int’l strategy on Greenland Migration, the Gerard Butler franchise, Mothers Instinct starring Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway, Vesper, the Euro sci-fi tale that she executive produced, and the animatedhit Fireheart.

“With her extraordinary experience and deep international relationships, we know that Cecile will be an incredible asset to Carrousel Studios,” said Sy, Leterrier and Benski, in a joint statement. “Our goal is to create a home for talent—both emerging and established—looking to make passion projects in the most efficient and rewarding manner, both creatively and financially, and we believe Cecile will help us achieve it.”

Before moving to Anton, Gaget was a key member of French film studio Gaumont’s executive team for more than a decade, serving as its Head of international production and distribution. Gaget oversaw Gaumont’s international distribution including international acquisitions, English and local-language productions and foreign remakes. She also set up the company’s U.S. Film division.

At Gaumont, she acquired the U.S. remake rights to the iconic Korean zombie hit Train to Busan. After joining Gaumont in 2010 to oversee worldwide sales, she handled award-winning features including worldwide hit The Intouchables, C’est la Vie, and The Specials from renowned directors Éric Toledano & Olivier Nakache. She also oversaw worldwide sales and distribution on Nicolas Winding Refn’s films Only God Forgives, starring Ryan Gosling, and The Neon Demon, starring Elle Fanning.