Antoine Disle, Orso Vesperini, and Olivier Compere have launched Forge Films Company, a new multiplatform genre studio that has unveiled its first series, Lost in Hel, and rounded out its senior team with Léonidas Vesperini and Marc Lorber.
Using a cross-media approach, the team will develop IP through proof-of-concept productions, fan communities, and a YouTube channel to gauge audience interest. The new outfit will focus on science fiction, fantasy and horror film, TV, gaming and immersive experiences. Lost in Hel is it first series, combining Viking mythology, horror and a clash of civilizations, with Jessica Ferguson, Troy Honeysett, Masa Yamaguchi and Grace Durrant attached to star. It launches with Breathe in Hel, a proof-of-concept production on YouTube designed to showcase the world, test audience response, and drive early engagement.
Disle has produced and developed projects for CANAL+, TF1, France Télévisions, among others. At FORGE, he leads distribution strategy, audience development, and the studio’s director community. Vesperini takes the lead on strategy, governance and IP development, as well as its international writers’ room. His credits include Only Seven Days and The Behemoth, and he co-authored the first French science-fantasy role-playing game inspired by Thoan, the universe created by Philip José Farmer. Compere founded Cantina Studio in 2001 and has produced for CANAL+ M6 and France Télévisions, alongside international productions including X Company. He leads production strategy, financing and operations. Vesperini has been tapped as head of gaming and Interactive experiences. Lorber will work with the team and consult on industry relations.
Disle, Vesperini and Compere said in a joint statement, “Forge is built to identify distinctive creative talent and original IP early, test their potential with audiences, and give the strongest worlds the opportunity to grow across film, television, gaming and immersive experiences. Our model brings together creative ambition, audience engagement and industry expertise within a commercially viable and sustainable framework. As AI transforms many aspects of the creative industries, we believe distinctive human voices, authentic creative instincts and strong directorial identities will become even more valuable. Our mission is to give rising filmmakers the opportunity to build original worlds capable of surprising audiences, with a commercially viable and sustainable model designed to reduce risk and better align the interests of creative talent, industry partners and investors.”
