Longtime Beta Cinema executive Thorsten Ritter, who piloted international films sales there for more than a decade before stepping down last year, is joining German production company Weydemann Bros.
In his new role, Ritter will establish and lead the company’s new Munich office, which adds to its existing hubs in Berlin and Cologne. His mission will be to strengthen and grow the company’s international production and co-production activities.
His appointment comes at an opportune moment in the wake of Germany’s drive to up its game as an international shooting destination with a package of streamer obligations and extra funding which was announced by the culture minister last week.
Weydemann Bros. has delivered a steady stream of high-profile independent features since its creation by brother Jakob D Weydemann and Jonas Weydemann in 2012, with recent international titles including Chile’s Academy Awards entry The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo (2025), Nora Fingscheidt’s The Outrun (2024), and Cannes’ Semaine de la Critique winner Tiger Stripes (2023) by Amanda Nell Eu.
Ritter, who served as Executive Vice President at Beta Cinema from 2012 to 2025, first worked with Weydemann Bros. when he handled sales on Fingscheidt’s 2019 debut System Crasher, which the company produced.
The wide roster of films sold Ritter over his time at Beta Cinema also included Amrum, From Hilde, With Love, The Happy Prince, Nowhere Special, Calibre, and Woman at War.
He is also co-founder of the Oldenburg International Film Festival and former Head of Bavaria Film International, where he helped bring landmark titles including Good Bye, Lenin!, Sophie Scholl, The Man Without a Past, Head-On, and Let the Right One In to global attention.
“Thorsten Ritter and we have a long history together, not just since his successful international marketing of System Crasher,” said Jonas Weydemann.
“His vast experience, creativity, and commitment to film convinced us to bring him on board as a producer, especially to further develop our international production and co-production activities, with a focus on the UK and English language films in general. At Weydemann Bros, it’s all about the team, and we are delighted to welcome Thorsten to join us.”
Ritter said he would be tapping into his sales experience and international contacts book to fulfil his role, to make meaningful films.
“Working with Jonas, Jakob, and the team at Weydemann Bros is a dream come true. They are as passionate as they are sharp, always finding opportunity in every challenge,” he said.
“I’m excited to contribute my UK contacts and sales perspective, enabling us to discover inspired talents together and collaborate with established filmmakers across a wide range of projects – from films that dare to challenge us, move us, and shift the way we see the world to films that simply put a smile on our face.”
