Michael Leakes will join Danish production giant Zentropa as a producer from January 1, 2026.
Leakes joins from Nordisk Film Productions, where he has worked for 13 years.
Danish producer continues to work on Nordisk Film titles To a new beginning – Artist: Paprika Steen and female, unknown Both films were produced by May el-Toukhy until they were completed and presented at local and international festivals.
Leakes will work alongside Zentropa producers and management members Louise Wess and Sisse Graum Jorgensen.
His credits include producing the two most recent adaptations of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s films. Department Q Book, 2021 marco effect and 2024 infinitedirected by Martin Zandvliet and Ole Christian Madsen, respectively.
Leakes also produced Zandvliet’s work. land of minewas nominated for the 2017 International Feature Oscar.
To a new beginning It had its world premiere in Zurich in September and opened at the Danish box office earlier this month. Meanwhile, director El Tukey’s Woman, Unknown recently finished filming.
“Martin’s ability to combine artistry, commercial appeal, and a keen sense of audience reflects our own filmmaking philosophy,” Wess and Jorgensen said in a statement.
“A world-class Danish film, that’s how I would describe Zentropa,” said Leakes. “Without Zentropa, we would not have had the recent Golden Age of Danish cinema. Zentropa’s unique DNA is embedded in every wall of the company. There is room for grand gestures, artistic integrity and wild ideas, but at the same time there is a clear ambition for films to find a national and international audience, and rightly so.”
“Nordisk Film Production has been my home for many years and I am grateful for the time I spent there, but now I am looking forward to building new foundations for the films I am so passionate about. At Zentropa we still believe in film as an art form, even when feature films are struggling. That is why I am sure that Filmbien is a good place for me. I am looking forward to standing side by side with my new colleagues and fighting for Danish cinema.”
