Cloud9 Studios Bets Big on Star Power with Chastain-Pacino Thriller

Max Sterling, 2/16/2025In a refreshing plot twist for indie film, Cloud9 Studios emerges as the industry's new optimist-in-chief. Producer Pia Patatian's venture isn't just blowing sunshine – she's backing star-studded projects and innovative distribution models while giving the tired sequel-franchise formula a much-needed reality check.

The Lebanese-Armenian producer, whose globe-trotting background reads like an international co-production agreement — Spain, Denmark, and multiple continents — has rebranded her venture from Concord Studios to the more aspirational Cloud9, sidestepping potential legal headaches with Universal Music while embracing a message of unbridled optimism.

"We decided on a name that means something to everyone," Patatian explains. "Cloud9, that feeling of optimism, of happiness, is the goal of our company — we want to convey that feeling to our buyers and to our audience with the movies we do."

This isn't just feel-good marketing speak. Patatian's slate at the European Film Market in Berlin backs up her ambitious vision, featuring star-studded projects like the Barry Levinson-directed "Assassination" — boasting a powerhouse cast including Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, and Al Pacino — and the romantic comedy "Under the Stars" with Toni Collette and Andy Garcia.

But perhaps most refreshing is Patatian's clear-eyed assessment of the industry's necessary evolution. "We were overdue — there was a big need for change in this industry for years, and we all knew it," she asserts, calling out the industry's reliance on familiar formulas. "Audiences had become tired of watching, over and over, the same stories, the sequels, the franchises, the remakes."

Cloud9's approach represents a fascinating hybrid model that could reshape independent film financing. While not abandoning traditional presales, Patatian's company maintains a growing fund for direct investment — a strategy that could offer more creative freedom and potentially higher returns. "If I am really confident in a project and I can finance it myself, why should I go and presell it?" she questions, challenging industry conventions.

The company's target of 12-15 releases annually, with half aimed at theatrical distribution, might seem ambitious in today's streaming-dominated landscape. Yet Patatian's strategy of mixing established stars with emerging talent — exemplified by Spanish actress María Pedraza's casting alongside Guy Pearce in the erotic thriller "Blurred" — suggests a thoughtful approach to market realities.

What's particularly striking about Cloud9's vision is its embrace of new distribution models, citing Angel Studios' innovative "Pay It Forward" scheme for "Sound of Freedom" — which generated an impressive $184 million domestically — as an example of necessary industry evolution. While carefully distancing herself from that film's controversial content, Patatian's willingness to learn from its success demonstrates the kind of adaptive thinking independent film desperately needs.

Despite challenges in Asian markets and shifting festival calendars, Patatian maintains an infectious optimism about independent film's future. Her emphasis on quality over budget — "Without a good script, you can forget it" — coupled with practical solutions like creative shooting locations to navigate international quotas, suggests Cloud9 isn't just dreaming big but planning smart.

In an era where independent film often feels caught between streaming giants and superhero blockbusters, Cloud9's emergence offers a compelling alternative vision — one where optimism meets strategy, and where the theatrical experience isn't just surviving but potentially thriving through innovation and adaptability.

In an industry often clouded by post-pandemic pessimism, Pia Patatian's newly launched Cloud9 Studios emerges as a beacon of optimism for independent film's future — and she's not just blowing smoke.The Lebanese-Armenian producer, whose globe-trotting background reads like an international co-production agreement — Spain, Denmark, and multiple continents — has rebranded her venture from Concord Studios to the more aspirational Cloud9, sidestepping potential legal headaches with Universal Music while embracing a message of unbridled optimism."We decided on a name that means something to everyone," Patatian explains. "Cloud9, that feeling of optimism, of happiness, is the goal of our company — we want to convey that feeling to our buyers and to our audience with the movies we do."This isn't just feel-good marketing speak. Patatian's slate at the European Film Market in Berlin backs up her ambitious vision, featuring star-studded projects like the Barry Levinson-directed "Assassination" — boasting a powerhouse cast including Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser, and Al Pacino — and the romantic comedy "Under the Stars" with Toni Collette and Andy Garcia.But perhaps most refreshing is Patatian's clear-eyed assessment of the industry's necessary evolution. "We were overdue — there was a big need for change in this industry for years, and we all knew it," she asserts, calling out the industry's reliance on familiar formulas. "Audiences had become tired of watching, over and over, the same stories, the sequels, the franchises, the remakes."Cloud9's approach represents a fascinating hybrid model that could reshape independent film financing. While not abandoning traditional presales, Patatian's company maintains a growing fund for direct investment — a strategy that could offer more creative freedom and potentially higher returns. "If I am really confident in a project and I can finance it myself, why should I go and presell it?" she questions, challenging industry conventions.The company's target of 12-15 releases annually, with half aimed at theatrical distribution, might seem ambitious in today's streaming-dominated landscape. Yet Patatian's strategy of mixing established stars with emerging talent — exemplified by Spanish actress María Pedraza's casting alongside Guy Pearce in the erotic thriller "Blurred" — suggests a thoughtful approach to market realities.What's particularly striking about Cloud9's vision is its embrace of new distribution models, citing Angel Studios' innovative "Pay It Forward" scheme for "Sound of Freedom" — which generated an impressive $184 million domestically — as an example of necessary industry evolution. While carefully distancing herself from that film's controversial content, Patatian's willingness to learn from its success demonstrates the kind of adaptive thinking independent film desperately needs.Despite challenges in Asian markets and shifting festival calendars, Patatian maintains an infectious optimism about independent film's future. Her emphasis on quality over budget — "Without a good script, you can forget it" — coupled with practical solutions like creative shooting locations to navigate international quotas, suggests Cloud9 isn't just dreaming big but planning smart.In an era where independent film often feels caught between streaming giants and superhero blockbusters, Cloud9's emergence offers a compelling alternative vision — one where optimism meets strategy, and where the theatrical experience isn't just surviving but potentially thriving through innovation and adaptability.