Overview

• Kalle Friz, with over 20 years of industry experience, will join Universal Pictures International as Managing Director for Germany and Austria starting July 2025.
• Friz will report to Paul Higginson, EVP for EMEA, and will oversee sales, distribution, acquisitions, marketing, publicity, and finance in the region.
• Germany and Austria are among Universal's largest theatrical markets, where Friz is tasked with driving box office revenues and implementing strategic growth initiatives.
• Friz previously served as EVP International Operations and CEO Germany at Studiocanal, where he successfully grew revenues and managed major releases like the Paddington series and The Hunger Games.
• Karel De Vries, the current head of operations for Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, will transition to the role of Managing Director for the Netherlands upon Friz's arrival.