Ankur and Vishal Rungta Launch Nickel City Pictures

Ankur Rungta and Vishal Rungta have launched an LA/NYC-based production banner, Nickel City Pictures, with a focus on the development and production of commercial film and television content across all genres has now signed an exclusive development partnership with Telepool GmbH.

The company has enjoyed an active start with a robust slate of projects already in development and a target of producing two to three films in 2017.

In conjunction with its launch, the company has also closed an exclusive development partnership with leading European film and television distributor, Telepool GmbH. Under the new partnership, Nickel City will have access to significant capital to fund the company's development of high-profile, commercial content with leading writers, filmmakers and stars.

Telepool will also provide Nickel City with access to its European distribution platform and strategic insight on foreign markets generally. The deal was negotiated by Telepool CEO Dr. Thomas Weymar, Head of Acquisitions and Sales, Thomas Sierk, and VP of Acquisitions and Development, Tobias Weymar. Thomas Sierk and Tobias Weymar will run point on the relationship from the Telepool side. The parties have already closed an initial slate of four projects involving A-list writers, filmmakers and stars.

Ankur and Vishal Rungta of Nickel City commented: "The launch of Nickel City Pictures has been made all the more exciting because of our partnership with Telepool, one of Europe's leading content distributors and a strong strategic partner for our new company. The Telepool team is extremely knowledgeable, with excellent creative and commercial taste – all of which will be an invaluable asset as we build our slate." 

Telepool CEO Dr. Thomas Weymar said: "Nickel City Pictures is an ideal partner for Telepool, as we continue to collaborate on a global stage with like minded, visionary companies. Both Ankur and Vishal display an ambitious drive and commercial sensibility, while boasting rich relationships across the industry. Their business backgrounds and wider expertise in the entertainment space leaves us with no doubt that we will have a huge amount to show from our collaboration." 

Ankur and Vishal previously were partners and executives at PalmStar Media. With extensive experience producing, packaging and financing both independent and studio films, the brothers left to establish Nickel City Pictures and focus full-time on development and production. Their credits include upcoming titles such as New Line Cinema's Collateral Beauty starring Will Smith, Netflix's True Memoirs of an International Assassin starring Kevin James, and Lionsgate's John Wick: Chapter Two starring Keanu Reeves. Past credits include The November Man, Laggies and Mother's Day, among others.

-ENDS-

About Telepool GmbH

Telepool GmbH, founded in 1963, is a diversified licensing company with offices in Munich, Zürich, Leipzig and Los Angeles. The core business is in German-speaking territories, with an expertise in acquisitions, sales and the promotion of theatrical, video, TV and Video on Demand; merchandising and licensing of publishing rights; licensing excerpt rights; and marketing of radio formats. The Telepool library ranges from theatrical blockbusters and tent pole movies to a wide range of high-value documentaries and hit TV series.

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