About

Urban Factory

Established in 2011, Urban Factory produces films by directors from around the world without constraints of genre or budget.

Among our recent films:

THE SHAMELESS by Konstantin Bojanov, a production between France, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Taïwan and India, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 (Un Certain Regard, Best Actress Award for Anasuya Sengupta).

IF ONLY I COULD HIBERNATE by Zoljargal Purevdash, a production between France and Mongolia, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2023 (Un Certain Regard).

PLAN 75  by Chie Hayakawa, a production between Japan, France, and the Philippines, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2022 (Un Certain Regard, Special Mention Caméra d’Or).

Our catalog also includes GOOD MANNERS by Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra (2017), a Brazilian genre film, THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT by Belgian Samuel Tilman (2018), MOBILE-HOME by François Pirot (2012), INCIDENT LIGHT by Ariel Rotter (2015), EL MUDO by Daniel & Diego Vega (2013), ONCE UPON A TIME WAS I, VERÔNICA by Marcelo Gomes (2012), INVISIBLE by Pablo Giorgelli (2017), as well as documentaries such as IL NOUS RESTE LA COLÈRE by Jamila Jendari and Nicolas Beirnaert (2022) and FRANCESCA I L’AMOR by Alba Sotorra…

We just finished co-producing the documentary GHOSTS OF THE SEA with Canada (micro_scope & ONF), SIMA’S SONG by Roya Sadat with Spain (Alba Sotorra) and The Netherlands (Baldr). We also have three feature films in development: MY TRAITOR by Santiago Amigorena, co-written with Marion Quantin, adapting the novels “My Traitor” and “Return to Killybegs” by Sorj Chalandon, LET US NOT BE STRANGERS by Julien Trauman, co-written with Sebastian Echegorri, and the partially animated documentary DREAM OF GRAPE GARDENS by Sahra Mani.

Team

Frédéric CORVEZ
Founder & President

After studying filmmaking at the University Sorbonne Nouvelle, Frederic starts his career at EQUINOXE as International Development Manager. He is a Reader for STUDIO CANAL and CANAL PLUS D.A, and works for 2 years at the AGENCE DU COURT METRAGE in the Sales Department.

He then develops the distribution subsidiary of KANPAÏ PRODUCTION.

Under the direction of Marin Karmitz, he launches and manages the International TV Sales Department of MK2, and works on the same mission for Hengameh Panahi at CELLULOID DREAMS.

In 2004, Frederic launches URBAN DISTRIBUTION INTERNATIONAL which focuses on films exportation.

In 2012, he launches URBAN DISTRIBUTION focusing on theatrical releases in France and URBAN FACTORY dedicated to the production and coproduction of films.

Frederic has also taught film economics at the University Sorbonne Nouvelle. He regularly acts as an expert for public institutions and training programs (EAVE, ACE, STUDIO TIFF BELL LIGHT BOX, Commission Européenne, etc.).

He is a member of the economic commission and the board of directors of Unifrance, treasurer of Adef, and vice-president of Europa International.

Maéva SAVINIEN
Producer, Partner

After studying audiovisual production and drama, Maéva began her career in Paris in 2011 at Kidam as a production assistant. She contributed to the production of the documentary series New York Jazzed Out, directed by Jeremiah, and the medium-length film Atomic Age by Helena Klotz. She then spent a few months in Los Angeles reading scripts at Voltage Pictures before flying to Shanghai, where she spent seven years of her life.

In Shanghai, after a year of intensive Mandarin learning, she produced documentaries for French TV channels (France 3, Canal +, Arte, M6, TF1), as well as commercials and animation videos. She developed a humorous web series Maidan 买单 (The check), which she co-wrote and produced, depicting Shanghai lifestyle and its quirky moments. In 2018, she worked as Line Producer on the feature film Minuscules 2, the mandibles from far away, directed by Hélène Giraud and Thomas Szabo, which was partly shot in Beijing.

In 2019, upon her return to France, she joined Urban Factory, producing feature films such as The Shameless by Konstantin Bojanov (World Premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2024, Un Certain Regard, Best Actress Award for Anasuya Sengupta), If Only I Could Hibernate by Zoljargal Purevdash (World Premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2023, Un Certain Regard), and Plan 75 by Chie Hayakawa (World Premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2022, Un Certain Regard, Special Mention Camera d’Or).

Nicolas Mouren
Project Manager

Born in Washington D.C., Nicolas grew up in Marseille, at the Cité Radieuse, Unité d’Habitation Le Corbusier. He is bilingual in English and French and has a working knowledge of German.

After studying Cellular Biology at the University of Aix-Marseille (Campus Luminy), he earned his Master’s degree from La SATIS, one of the most prominent film schools in the south of France, majoring in producing and directing. He also attended the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, for Producing and Screenwriting. 

In 2022, Nicolas Mouren spent five months as a production assistant at Whisky & Chocolate in Paris, working closely with co-founder and producer Justine Paynat-Sautivet on the development of various international co-productions. 

He joined Urban Factory in October 2023 and has participated in the production of films such as The Shameless by Konstantin Bojanov (World Premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2024, Un Certain Regard, Best Actress Award for Anasuya Sengupta), My Traitor by Santiago Amigorena, Dream of Grape Gardens by Sahra Mani and Ghosts of the Sea by Virginia Tangvald (World Premiere at Festival du Nouveau Cinéma de Montréal 2024, National Competition), among others. 

Julien RUSSO
Partner

After directing many documentaries for Canal + and France Television, Julien launches Dacor Production in 2000, advertising and musical videos company.

He produces the series Voix de garage directed by Marc Babaja and Mathilde Mélèse (2014), Détour aux sources, first feature film by Roda Fawaz and Cyril Gueï (2015) and Ictus Erotique, third short film by Keren Marciano (2015).

He becomes an Associate of Urban Factory in 2018.