Exclusive Media Companies

Newmarket Films

Founded in 1994 by William Tyrer and Chris Ball, Newmarket grew from a private film finance company to one of the preeminent producers and distributors of independent film in the world.

By 1998, having been involved in the financing of over 75 features such as The Usual Suspects, Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man, and the Wachowski's debut Bound, Tyrer and Ball had built a creative team and expanded into production. Newmarket's first production was Memento, written and directed by Christopher Nolan. This film was followed up with such productions and co-productions as The Mexican, Cruel Intentions, The Skulls, Prom Night and The Prestige.

Newmarket's distribution arm, Newmarket Films, was created to theatrically release Memento in the US in 2000. The company followed up this release with a surprising string of critical and box office successes that sounds like a roll call of great indie cinema: Donnie Darko, Whale Rider, Monster, Downfall and The Passion Of The Christ. Through its production and distribution activities, Newmarket built-up a library of well over 250 titles.

In December 2009, Newmarket was acquired by Exclusive Media Group, and Newmarket’s US theatrical releasing business was substantially expanded and recapitalised, leading to the acquisitions of Creation, Agora and Sundance favourite Hesher.