Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) has announced the acquisition of Pixomondo, an Oscar and Emmy Award-winning virtual production, visualization and VFX company, from Mayfair Equity Partners, a dedicated technology and consumer investor. Pixomondo (PXO), which is known for its work on premium content including Sony Pictures Television’s The Boys, as well as such series as Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon and the upcoming feature Avatar: The Last Airbender, maintains three LED sound stages and seven offices in the U.S., U.K., Germany and Canada.
Under the deal, SPE has acquired 100% of PXO which will continue to be led by CEO Jonny Slow, who will now report to Ravi Ahuja, chairman of Global TV Studios and SPE Corporate Development. The acquisition of PXO, alongside Sony Pictures Imageworks and Sony Innovation Studios, enhances Sony’s role as one of the leaders in virtual production and further enables the studio to serve the growing visual effects and premium television and film production industries. In addition, collaboration between these lines of businesses will also be supported by Sony Electronics.
“Pixomondo’s impressive end-to-end virtual production technology, software and solutions further build Sony’s leadership in high quality visual effects and virtual production. And, for our TV studios, Pixomondo’s capabilities will make the hundreds of shows we produce for our streaming and network partners even more exceptional,” said Ahuja.
“We could not be more excited to be joining the SPE team at this tipping point in the evolution of PXO,” said Slow. “Sony’s legacy, and creativity-driven technology strategy, mean that our company has found a home where it can truly thrive. We look forward to continuing to innovate in the virtual production and VFX space with our clients over many years to come.”
“We are proud to have partnered with the Pixomondo team, supporting the company’s evolution and growth since 2018,” commented Bertie Aykroyd, partner at Mayfair Equity Partners. “Pixomondo was an early mover in virtual production and has successfully diversified its offering to allow filmmakers to make tech-enabled creative decisions from the very early stages of production. With the ever-increasing demand for high-quality content, PXO’s innovative team will undoubtedly be a great success when partnered with Sony’s global offering.”
SPE’s acquisition of PXO comes on the heels of Sony Innovation Studios unveiling its first LED sound stage on the historic Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City earlier this month.
Angelina Jolie To Receive Gothams Performer Tribute For “Marie”
The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced that Academy Award®-winner Angelina Jolie will receive the Performer Tribute for her performance as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s upcoming film Maria, at the 34th edition of The Gothams, taking place on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The tribute will honor Jolie’s rendition of legendary opera singer Callas.
“Like the legendary figure she portrays, Angelina Jolie transcends mere performance to craft something extraordinary. Her interpretation captures both Maria Callas’ complexity as an artist and the cultural resonance that defines an icon,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham. “We are thrilled to celebrate what is truly one of Ms. Jolie’s career-defining performances in the final installment of Pablo Larrain’s magnificent trilogy.”
Maria follows Callas, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century, as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. The film reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life. Written by Steven Knight, with cinematography by Ed Lachman and costumes by Massimo Cantini Parrini, Maria has Jolie joined by a star-studded cast including Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts, Happy As Lazzaro), Pierfrancesco Favino (Padrenostro, Adagio), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog, Dolemite Is My Name), and Valeria Golino (For Your Love, The Beautiful Game). Marie premiered to critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival and Jolie’s performance continues to stun audiences at the New York Film Festival, London Film Festival and the AFI Fest. Maria will be in... Read More