Deadline reports, on an exclusive basis, that the American independent distributor and international sales firm Neon is rumoured to be preparing to move into UK film distribution. The company — known for acquiring the last six Cannes Palme d'Or winners and multiple Oscar winners — has reportedly been keen to expand its UK presence, with veteran distributor Danny Perkins, the former longtime head of Studiocanal UK, said to be consulting on the plans. It matters because a well-resourced, festival-savvy buyer entering the notoriously difficult UK market could offer film-makers and sellers a valuable new releasing option, though the article stresses the plans remain unconfirmed and exploratory.

Any operation is expected to be selective and opportunistic rather than a large local outfit with many staff. Neon has recently begun securing UK rights within its acquisitions, as it did on Palme d'Or winner Fjord and Kore-eda's Sheep In The Box, both of which Picturehouse will release in the UK. Perkins ran Studiocanal UK for over a decade before leaving in 2018 to found the CAA-backed Elysian Film Group, whose distribution arm recently went into liquidation. Separately, Neon has been in talks over the Cliffhanger reboot via its Decal label, acquired global rights to Luca Guadagnino's Artificial from Amazon MGM Studios, and is negotiating investment from Middle East firm Department M. Neon and Perkins both declined to comment.