Contentfilm Share Discussion Threads

[cardiffian] 04/12/2010 15:20

'Cool It' referred to in the article below. It's an interesting read anyway.

[cardiffian] 04/12/2010 15:04

'I am Slave' nominated in the 'Best Single Drama' category of the Broadcast Awards (Feb 2 2011).

[cardiffian] 04/12/2010 13:44

I see 'The Details' gets it's world premiere at Sundance next month but I'm not sure if CFL is still associated with the film.

[cardiffian] 04/12/2010 13:14

I think I've got my optimism hat on again.

What also has me curious is the appointment of Franz prinz von Auersperg .

There's this connection between Syntek, EM.TV and Contentfilm.

He is currently a director and was previously VC of the supervisory board of Syntek Capital (according to the RNS) and Syntek as we know is the largest shareholder in CFL where von Auersperg was once also a director.

He was also COO of EM.TV which became EM Sport Medien AG.
EM Sport Medien AG changed it's name to Constantin Medien AG.

Constantin Medien AG (listed in Germany) has a 47.3 % interest in Highlight Communications AG (listed in Germany) which in turn now owns 100% of Constantin Film.







Maybe it's all just coincidence but I'm wondering if perhaps there's more to this than meets the eye. Could Constantin be interested in taking over CFL for the film and TV catalogues ? At our current market cap, it would be a coup for them or am I clutching at straws ? Why bring back von Auersperg into CFL after 6 years ?

I guess the next weeks will reveal all or nothing.


IMHO, DYOR. Make your own minds up !

[cardiffian] 04/12/2010 11:43

fft...thanks for the reply.

I don't think I'll bother requesting the numbers considering Irby's gone now anyway, although it has made me curious. Never mind !

[fft] 04/12/2010 01:43

at the AGM they had an excel sheet displayed on a very big screen behind the members of the board. It was there throughout the AGM, and had a list of resolutions and the votes for, against and abstentions.

I didnt really take much note of the actual figures. Since it was on display, they shouldnt have anything against sending them to you.

I try to keep my expectations low with CFL. :-(

[cardiffian] 03/12/2010 18:03

Oh yeh, I wasn't quite sure but having just double-checked, Franco Franca was(is ?) CEO and board member of Syntek back in 2008 when he joined the board of CFL, so Syntek now have 2 representatives.

..."Franco Franca, aged 48, is a board member and CEO of Syntek Capital, a global private equity firm that invests in high-growth businesses primarily in the media and technology sectors. Mr. Franca brings the experience of having managed many start-ups in different industries, both in the US and in Europe. Having worked for large, multi-national companies as well as start-ups, Mr. Franca contributes a unique set of skills to Syntek's portfolio companies, which includes ContentFilm."...

taken from RNS (1.10.08)

[cardiffian] 03/12/2010 17:51

All I can say is, I never knew I had such indirect influence...lol.

I'm wondering if the question that was posed to Irby at the AGM together with the votes against his re-election (including mine) made him think twice about his true lack of commitment to the best interests of CFL.

fft...out of interest, did they announce the actual resolution voting figures at the AGM 'cause it never came out in the statement...

and are there still currently 4 MMs.

Maybe the addiition of the MM, Irby's resignation and the fact that the Interims are 3 wks earlier than last year are all connected...? or did they bring the results forward to satisfy the date Irby wanted to leave and why did Sam Humphrey resign by the same date, not that I can see why one should influence the other...jeez, I need to stop reading about conspiracies !!!

Nevertheless, I'm still wondering why they would bring the results forward unless something else was afoot !

IMHO only.

[latics2] 03/12/2010 14:21

i have always maintained the library value is a myth....reminds me of the story of the emperors new clothes.

[cardiffian] 03/12/2010 10:57

RingTales Launches Animated Dilbert / New Yorker Cartoons Globally For Nokia Ovi Store

Read more:

[peel green] 02/12/2010 19:15

no problem with Herr A being on board as a NED as Syntek have a big stake that needs board representation;

however the lack of independent NEDS indicates that a voice supporting small or third-party investors (and, very unlikely - corporate investors, such as City funds) is not at all welcome.

Ah well, no-more from me for a while, unless miracles happen.

[pimp] 02/12/2010 17:12

The fact that Mr. Franz Prinz von Auersperg is on board as a director in my opinion can only be taken as a positive. I think syntek are as fed up with the share price as us. Lets hope these new additions are movers and shakers as the old board have become exceedling complacent and stale. I would change them all to be honest if i could as they have shown they only have their own interests at heart.Lets see how many announcements we have in the next few months.
Also as a side note in the results previous they said they would reevaluate the library - what happened to that ?

[diesel] 02/12/2010 16:51

PG...fair comment, after all for a company that is barely solvant and market cap of about £1m, the CEO is on some £350k plus bonuses which despite the share price bouncing along at all time lows, he's quite happy to take. I note McCluggage is still on the board,..what a shower!

[peel green] 02/12/2010 15:35

I have been involved with company as an observer and/or a shareholder over nearly 5 years. I have long since written off what at first seemed a promising investment.

IMHO this is a private company dressed up as a public company.

IMHO The directors are sleep-walking management of the business and the directorships are corporately incestuous.

There are lots of 'deals' but nothing grows the business.

It is, I fear, a self-supporting but self-consuming entity.

[diesel] 02/12/2010 08:08

Fairly predictible results, and maybe a glimmer of hope that there is a slight improvement at work, although just a movement in ex rate could blow that as their debt level is still so high.
I wish they wouldn't keep harping on about the difficult market, ETO doesn't seem to be having problems growing shareholder value.

[fft] 02/12/2010 07:42

solid interims. Nothing to get excited about or wake up anyone up.

The only notable point being the appointment of the vice chairman of Syntek as a NED. Surprised they hadnt been represented before. Perhaps the start of a more activist shareholder role.

[knowing] 01/12/2010 23:57

Yep may well be the case.

[cardiffian] 22/11/2010 10:37

A couple of additions on the Fireworks side of things:

'Nature of Things: Bugs, Bones and Botany'



'Dream States' - IFC Collection

[cardiffian] 19/11/2010 12:52

Riese: Kingdom Falling - Steam Punk Web Series Makes Serious Push to TV
Ernie Estrella
BuzzFocus 11/17/10 06:34 PM

[cardiffian] 18/11/2010 11:41

I've just re-read the AGM trading statement from 30 Sep. which to me, sounds positive all-around, so I thought I'd post it.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ContentFilm PLC

§ AGM Statement and Trading Update



Speaking at today's Annual General Meeting John Schmidt, the Chief Executive Officer of ContentFilm, will update shareholders as follows:



"Many media commentators have stated that the last two years have been the most turbulent and difficult in recent times. The ramifications of the recession have created daily challenges as businesses in the sector - in particular television networks and film studios - have ordered lower levels of product at reduced prices. Major industry players in both film and television have suffered distress and have undergone significant restructuring. Many government funded operations, particularly in Europe, have felt the effect of budgetary cutbacks. These events have combined to create challenges for all companies in the sector.



"Against this background, our results for the financial year ended 31 March 2010 represent a much improved year, compared to the results of 2009. Whilst revenues declined from £21.1m to £18.4m, our profitability improved on all levels, and we did not have any of the restructuring costs recorded in fiscal 2009. Our operating costs have declined, and our corporate debt fell meaningfully during the year. Taken together, we believe this was a creditable result in the current climate.



"Since our last release, trading has continued to meet management's expectations. Market conditions appear to be improving but they remain challenging and are still well below pre-recession levels. As disclosed in our Preliminary Statement, our results for this financial year will again be significantly skewed towards the second half as most of our television programming will be delivered over that period. We have a reasonable amount of visibility into the second half and taking account of the challenging conditions, we are cautiously optimistic that we will again have a creditable full year result.



"We are pleased with developments within our television division. We expect better results this year from our drama division which will take delivery in the second half of Republic of Doyle Season 2 and Heartland Season 4. Other new drama projects include Whites, starring Alan Davies which premiered on BBC this week and Thorne: Sleepyhead and Thorne: Scaredy Cat, which will be released shortly on Sky. Further, our factual division has had a successful launch of Wildlife Rescue Africa and has taken delivery of a new series Freak Encounters. Our factual entertainment joint venture - Collins Avenue - has received two initial orders for new series from U.S. cable programmers. Sales in the Fireworks library have been meeting expectations.



Our digital division has been progressing well. It now has one of the largest libraries in the sector, of made for digital and multi-platform content and it is leading the market in the distribution of the product. This position has been underlined by our recent output deal whereby we will be distributing the product of Vuguru, a leading digital producer, owned by Michael Eisner's investment company, Tornante. To further expand our operations, we are delighted to announce today that we have reached an agreement with Peter Cowley - formerly Endemol UK's managing director of digital programming- to launch a new business called Spirit digital media ("Spirit"). Subject to approved long form documentation, Spirit will be backed by ContentFilm and will help media and advertising brands monetise existing IP through digital channels and will also create its own multi-platform IP.



Following its improved performance last year, our film division has also been progressing well. It will also take delivery of most of its major films in the second half, including its largest title Ironclad and other titles, The Divide, Welcome To The Rileys, I Am Slave, Cool It and the first of the three films in the Age of Heroes series. Our library of feature films is approaching 200 titles and is selling well, underpinning the results of the division.



We continue to be pleased with our investment in Phase 4 Films. The North American DVD market remains tough but with its comparatively low cost infrastructure and the benefits it accrues from distributing across North America, its performance has remained resilient. We believe it will continue to grow and expand profitably over the coming years.



"We remain alert for opportunities to acquire assets in this turbulent market, but our main concern is the preservation of company liquidity and current profitability. In a difficult economic climate, ContentFilm has successfully navigated a profitable path, and as market conditions improve we believe the Company is well placed to grow and build shareholder value."

[scott84] 18/11/2010 09:40

Agree too, if they keep chipping away they might do exactly what they
did all those years ago and go from 1p to almost 30p.

Just keep reducing the debt, as long as they are making any profits then
it wont matter so long as debt is falling.

[diesel] 18/11/2010 09:31

I agree Cardif..CFL have been through the wars, but talk of their demise is somewhat premature. They seem to be trading profitably now and as you say they are reducing debt, which has to be their main focus. Still have a small holding here, a few £K that I will leave in place as I believe a 2-3x increase is easily possible over the near term, ie within the year.
all of course IMHO

[cardiffian] 18/11/2010 08:04

barnetpeter...I don't think you can tar CFL and WKS with the same brush.

If anything, CFL's library is growing and hardly vanishing. The company has a number of partnerships with programming in development, it has it's 20+ % no cost interest in Phase4 and going by previous statements by CFL's management, they're happy with the progress Phase4 is making.

The company is still trading and trading profitably, albeit only just. They have positive cashflow and are reducing debt.

So I think you're comment is just sour grapes. Nevertheless, I empathise with your loss of investment. I too have been there.

[barnetpeter] 17/11/2010 18:19

This is going bust. Have a look at WKS; all the library has vanished into thin air it appears. My many K with it. I am expecting my dough here to follow shortly.

[cardiffian] 17/11/2010 18:15

Also:

A Parallel Universe to TV and Movies
By MIKE HALE
Published: November 12, 2010