Paul Thiltges

Biography

biography Samsa Films, co-Founder & Producer, 1986 - 1993 Paul Thiltges Distributions, Founder & Sales Agent, since 1993 Monipoly Productions, Founder & Producer, from 1993 to 2022 Ni-Vu-Ni-Connu productions, co-Founder & Producer, since 2011 Juliette Films, co-Founder & Producer, since 2011 Cartoon Media, Board Member, since 1988 ULPA (Luxembourg’s Producer Association), President, from 1996 to 2023 Film Fund Luxembourg, Senior Advisor, from 2012 to 2023 After an early career far from cameras and studios, (private employee for five years at BCEE Luxembourg followed by ten years as an elementary/high school teacher) Paul Thiltges chose to channel his passions into films. He started independently in 1985 producing Andy Bausch’s first feature film "Gwyncilla, Legend of Dark Ages". In September 1986, Paul launched Samsa Film along with his brother Jani and 4 other partners, creating one of the first production companies in Luxembourg, producing its first feature film "Die Reise das Land" in 1987. Together with Paul, Samsa Film has produced and distributed Schacko Klak, Three Shake-a-leg Steps to Heaven, Abracadabra, Anna-annA, etc Soon after being in charge of distribution, he created Samsa Distributions which became Paul Thiltges Distributions in 1993. Simultaneously he launched Monipoly Productions with Munich based producer Monika Aubele - a production company dedicated to animation pictures. Since then, Paul Thiltges Distributions and Monipoly Productions have released such titles as: "The Blue Arrow" (US title "How The Toys Saved Christmas"), first European animated feature to be distributed in the US by Miramax & The Walt Disney Company; "Megacities" and "Workingman’s Death", selected by more than 40 festivals including Sundance, Toronto, Locarno and San Sebastian; "Kirikou and the Sorceress", more than 1.6 million entries at French Box-office in 1999-2000. Besides, Paul Thiltges took care of setting up his own production tool for animation and special effects. With advanced technology equipments (i.e. Solitaire Cine III camera), specialized in high-technicality tasks, his studio works for its own productions as well as for external clients, production companies and advertising agencies in the Benelux area. In 2000 he was appointed manager of idPROD, the production entity of IP Luxembourg, which he helped building up into IP(!)PRODUCTIONS and which he left in April 2012 to concentrate on his film activities. As a resourceful executive, Paul’s responsibilities are spread into many businesses. Paul was a partner in the animation studio Tiramisu since 1990; he is a founding member of the publishing house éditions ultimomondo since 2000 and, along with Antoine Prum, he manages the production company Ni-Vu-Ni-Connu Productions since 2011. In January 2012, he launched Juliette Films with producer David Grumbach. Juliette Films was meant to take over the production activities initiated by Paul Thiltges Distributions, whereas PTD would focus on distribution and international sales activities. Juliette Films has changed to BAC Cinéma Luxembourg and is run solely by David Grumbach. Last but not least, Paul has been regularly representing the interests of Luxembourg’s producers at an international level as a board member of several European programs including EURO AIM and CARTOON, as well as at a national level, especially as President of the Luxembourg Audiovisual Producers Union (ULPA) since 1996. From February 2013 to October 2023, Paul was in charge of the promotion and distribution of the Luxembourgish films as a senior consultant to the Film Fund Luxembourg.