Zygi Kamasa’s UK distributor True Brit files for administration

LONDON, 1 OCTOBER 2026 —

Founder Zygi Kamasa confirmed on Saturday that True Brit, the UK‑based distributor and producer‑financier he launched three years ago, has entered administration.

Kamasa said the decision was taken “in extremely challenging market conditions” and that an independent specialist has been appointed to oversee the company and assess options “with the aim of achieving the best possible outcome for the company and its creditors.” The administration is being handled by London law firm Simons Muirhead Burton, according to the filing.

True Brit was founded by Kamasa, the former head of Lionsgate UK and Europe and of Marv Studios, and began operations in November 2023 with a pledge to co‑finance more than US$150 million of UK independent productions over its first three years.

The venture was backed by international music‑management group Three Six Zero, and its arrival was welcomed by the British film industry as a “substantial and well‑resourced new player.” Within its first year the company shepherded six features into production, signalling an ambitious entry into a market traditionally dominated by larger studios and established independents.

The company’s inaugural release, the Toronto‑acquired drama The Critic starring Ian McKellen and Gemma Arterton, earned £1.7 million at the UK‑Ireland box office after Lionsgate licensed the distribution. In March 2025, Marching Powder by Nick Love grossed £3.1 million, reinforcing early optimism about True Brit’s commercial prospects. However, subsequent titles have underperformed relative to expectations, contributing to the financial strain that led to the current administration.

Gurinder Chadha’s Christmas Karma opened on 434 screens in November 2025 and generated £1.3 million, a modest return given its wide release. The January 2026 boxing drama Giant, inspired by the life of Prince Naseem, earned £1.02 million. In July 2025, True Brit released Morgan Matthews’ UK‑Irish comedy 500 Miles, starring Bill Nighy, Maisie Williams and Roman Griffin Davis; the film had taken £230,000 at the box office by the time of the administration filing.

The Berlinale‑selected drama Sunny Dancer, backed by a £100,000 BFI audience award, attracted £261,000 since its release last month, while the newly launched The Death of Robin Hood starring Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer had accumulated £596,000 to date. The Dreadful, featuring Sophie Turner and Kit Harington, was released digitally only last month and therefore generated no theatrical revenue.

True Brit’s pipeline remains crowded despite the administration. The slate includes US filmmaker Zachary Wigon’s horror thriller Victorian Psycho starring Maika Monroe and Jason Isaacs; Christopher Smith’s re‑imagining of his 2004 cult horror The Creep; Craig Robert’s comedy‑horror The Scurry with Ella Purnell and Rhys Ifans; Paul Andrew Williams’s drama Faith starring Erin Doherty and James McAvoy, which recently premiered at Toronto; and Jordan Tannahill’s Yorkshire‑set zombie horror Rapture starring Will Poulter and Kit Connor.

The London Film Festival lists True Brit as the distributor for Anthony Wonke’s boxing drama In the Shadows, slated to world‑premiere at the festival next month, although the Film Distributors’ Association now records Metis Films as the distributor for that title.

The administration filing marks a stark reversal for a company that, at launch, promised to inject significant capital into the UK independent sector. Industry observers note that the “extremely challenging market conditions” cited by Kamasa reflect broader headwinds affecting British cinema, including reduced cinema attendance, heightened competition from streaming platforms, and a tightening of financing for mid‑budget films.

While the statement from Kamasa does not detail the specific liabilities or creditor composition, the appointment of an independent specialist suggests a structured process aimed at either restructuring the business or liquidating assets to satisfy creditors.

True Brit’s collapse may have ripple effects for the UK film ecosystem. The company’s co‑financing model had attracted a range of producers seeking alternative funding sources beyond the traditional studio system. Its withdrawal could leave several projects without the anticipated cash flow, potentially delaying releases or prompting producers to seek new partners.

Moreover, the involvement of Three Six Zero as a backer indicates that the financial setback may extend beyond the film sector into broader entertainment investment circles.

For Malaysian and regional stakeholders, the development underscores the volatility of cross‑border film financing. Malaysian investors and distributors who have looked to the UK market for co‑production opportunities may reassess risk exposure in light of True Brit’s administration. The episode also highlights the importance of diversified financing structures, as reliance on a single mid‑size financier can amplify systemic risks when market conditions deteriorate.

The administration process, overseen by Simons Muirhead Burton, will now determine the fate of True Brit’s existing catalogue and pending releases. Creditors will be consulted on potential restructuring proposals, while the independent specialist will evaluate whether any assets—such as distribution rights to the slate of upcoming titles—can be sold to recover value.

The outcome will shape the immediate availability of the films listed in the pipeline and may influence the distribution strategies of other UK independents navigating the same market pressures.

Kamasa’s statement concluded without indicating a timeline for the administration’s resolution, leaving the industry to await further notices from the appointed specialist. The next procedural step will be a creditors’ meeting, after which a formal proposal for restructuring or liquidation will be presented. Until then, True Brit’s future remains uncertain, and the UK independent film sector will watch closely how the administration unfolds and what precedent it may set for similar ventures in the region.

Related: True Brit