Funded in November 2006, Essential began operations in January 2007 and has used its breadth of contacts in the industry to secure an exceptional slate. In February 2007, Essential brought to the Berlin film market Michael J. Bassett’s adaptation of the Robert E. Howard fantasy classic Solomon Kane and Louis-Pascal Couvelaire’s action title, Killing Suki Flood, both from Samuel Hadida’s Davis Films. Essential also introduced Fireflies in the Garden, starring Julia Roberts, from Senator Entertainment. Fireflies in the Garden will have its worldwide premiere at the 2008 Berlin Film Festival.

At Cannes 2007, Essential brought to market Defiance, written and directed by Ed Zwick and starring Daniel Craig. Production on Defiance started in August 2007 and the film is now in post-production. Essential’s Cannes 2007 product offering also included Samuel Hadida’s Onimusha - based on the popular Japanese video game - set to be directed by Christophe Gans and Senator Entertainment’s The Informers - based on the Bret Easton Ellis book – which is being directed by Gregor Jordan. The Informers started production in October 2007 and is now in post-production.

Essential’s Berlin 2008 line-up includes the Matador Pictures production, Clive Barker’s Book of Blood, which is now in production and being directed by John Harrison; the spoof comedy, Stan Helsing, to be produced by Scott Steindorff and Stone Village; and My One and Only, to be produced by Ara Katz at Artfire Films and Aaron Ryder.