ODFLIX STUDIO

ODFLIX STUDIO

A Marriage of Heart and Mind

Odflix Studio and Sgt. Major Keith L. Craig 

By Leonie Athanase

When I first saw the announcement, I immediately volunteered to write this article—while also feeling somewhat caught between a rock and a hard place, since I was writing about a subject directly involving our Editor-in-Chief. I needed to find the right angle: one that would present the facts clearly without sounding overly partisan.

That said, I did not want this news to be treated like a simple press release, especially since we had the scoop. At the heart of this alliance is a genuine desire for partnership that goes far beyond a business relationship. This collaboration is part of a broad long-term vision, spanning several years, with a marketing and financing approach firmly rooted in the realities of the 21st century—where the rules of film production have profoundly changed.

ZMA/Odflix Studio and the highly respected producer St. Keith L. Craig are joining forces and expertise to bring us stories that resonate with them on a deeply personal level. What brought them together is a story of strength and resilience—one I felt compelled to explore.

By partnering with such an experienced producer, whose track record speaks for itself, Odflix’s producers have made a bold move in their ambition to elevate the brand to a more international level.

“I believe our efforts paid off: it took us one full year to finalize this agreement. The happy outcome came during the most recent Cannes Film Festival, where we attend the Marché du Film every year to expand our opportunities and find reliable partners. We can say that Keith shares the same vision as we do, both professionally and humanly. Thanks to my co-producer Vronsky Bélizaire, who was extremely diligent on this file, we were able to sign an agreement built for the long term.” — MAB

But what exactly drew Mr. Craig to Odflix and its producers?

Sgt. Major Keith L. Craig, known for his work on Mulan, The Lion King, Black Panther, Frozen, and more, shared his impressions and vision:

“I am particularly impressed by Odflix’s leadership and its commitment to creating award-winning films with international reach. The company and its mission align with the same values and convictions I held while working at The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in Burbank, California. There, I also had the privilege of collaborating with a very similar team—one that made box-office history with globally renowned intellectual properties such as the Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar franchises. It is very rare to find an independent production studio that operates with the same business model as a major Hollywood studio, with the same level of experience, company culture, and collaborative environment. My new Canadian partnership has proven to be the perfect place for me; I am honored!” — Keith L. Craig

Vronsky Bélizaire, Marie Ange Barbancourt, Keith L. Craig I Odflix Studio

Human Values at the Heart of the Partnership

According to Marie-Ange Barbancourt, this is a relationship that developed over time and is grounded in human values—values that are more essential than ever today if projects are to be brought successfully to completion. We are no longer in the outdated mindset of an industry driven solely by ego. The future lies in the fusion of minds moving toward the same goal, surrounded by people who are professionally and personally credible—whether they are actors, actresses, or craftspeople of cinema.

I can only conclude that human relationships are central to everything they do—and everything they are preparing to accomplish. In an industry where people are often said to be more self-centered than average, one can only wish them every success.

“This step forward is all the more important for us because there is a real shift happening in the way people think. The film industry must be reimagined in light of technological change and the constant rise of AI. Producers who share the same vision must find a path to bring productions into a global perspective. For my part, this agreement with someone so experienced—and with such strong human values—tells me that we are on the right track to making Odflix a productive studio with a vision fully rooted in the 21st century.” — M. Barbancourt

One Story, One Franchise Seals the Union

Producer Vronsky Bélizaire, for his part, is very proud to have helped bring this alliance to life. He is currently working with a team to deliver the first project that sealed the commitment between Odflix and Sgt. Keith L. Craig: Wizard Hunter 1 (The Hunt for Evangelion Crowley), written by Nico Toffoli and to be directed by Canadian filmmaker Tony Dean Smith, with a cast including:

Max Brown (Samuel Stone), Corey Hardrict (Janus Wright), Michael Ironside (Aleister Crowley), Nqobile Nunu Khumalo (Countess Angelica Morais Damasquinos),Christopher Lambert (Paul Gorg), Sarain Boylan (Leila Waddell), Sanai Victoria (Guardian of Aetherius), Nico Toffoli (Ramirez), Malika Blessing (Spider Queen), Silvio Simac (Saul Jacobs),Richard Lawson (The Shaman), Amari Deity (Queen of Nereids)

“Stone, a bounty hunter, and his companions, hired by the wealthy Gorg, must set out in search of the Evangelion, a magical book linked to Aleister Crowley. They must protect it from a legion of formidable assassins and a group of powerful necromancers who seek to use it to enslave humanity to Evil.”

I am intrigued by the idea of building a franchise around Wizard Hunter, especially since that is far from common practice in Canada. Producer Vronsky Bélizaire explains why:

“When Marie and I read the script, we immediately said: we have to make this film. It’s a story that explores the complex and dramatic relationship between Aleister Crowley and his descendant Samuel Stone (played by the talented Max Brown). It is a world of magic and higher vibrational realms. It is also a story of friendship, faith, betrayal, and ultimate sacrifice. I remember meeting Nico Toffoli in Cannes—we spoke for quite a while, and then he sent us the pitch and the script. As I read it, an entire universe came to life in my imagination—one that simply could not be contained in a single film. I was immediately captivated by the story. This film fits perfectly within Odflix’s vision: creating highly entertaining films that audiences will love. Marie and I discussed it and felt we had to do everything possible to bring this fiction to the screen as an ongoing continuity.”— Vronsky Bélizaire

It seems the producers have tremendous confidence in director Tony Dean Smith’s vision for the film. Speaking on behalf of her team, Marie-Ange Barbancourt says:

“If Nico Toffoli, who wrote the screenplay, found the right vibrational level to transmit the truth of his writing to us, we believe director Tony Dean Smith will be able to translate that same level into images. We entrusted the music to Boris Petrowski, a Canadian composer whose work we know well. These two elements, fused together, will create something extraordinary.”— Marie-Ange Barbancourt

Tony Dean Smith (Volition, Strangers, Mercy) has reportedly said that he has been fascinated by the universe surrounding this film since childhood, so accepting the project felt like a natural choice, according to the producers. I would like to quote one line from the director’s statement of intent. Speaking about the central character, Samuel Stone, he writes:

“…Samuel Stone’s journey reminds us of the stakes and the archetypes that inhabit our turbulent era, and offers us a catalyst to probe the depths of our own psyche, where we may discover what we have always hidden: our own inner hero.”

We are told that this film aligns closely with the brand’s other titles in the fantasy-thriller and adventure space—stories with deeper thematic foundations. Among them is Aether, written by Serge Leterrier and directed by Italian filmmaker Mauro John Capece: a fantasy drama in which the central character must confront a world suspended between heaven and earth. Filming is scheduled after Wizard Hunter 1. Other projects include Coverage: Between Shadow and Light, Redemption—the confrontation of a protagonist with his beliefs in a dreamlike and unsettling universe—and many more.

For now, the producers are focused on their upcoming shoots planned in the Veneto region (Italy) in 2026.

What was the very first phrase that came to mind when the deal was sealed?

“We got a deal.”

MAB, KLC, VB