UFA’s Nico Hofmann links with Beta Film CEO Jan Mojto for TV, film

LR: Nico Hoffmann & Jan Mojto (Source: Beta Film, Marcus Hoehn)

Nico Hofmann, the veteran head of German production giant UFA, is stepping down from the Fremantle-backed firm to partner up with Beta Film CEO, Jan Mojto.

Hofmann, who stepped back from day-to-day work at the Deutschland 83 producer last year, will work with Mojto and Beta producer Jan Wünschmann to produce German and European series and films for the international market.

Mojto and Hofmann have considerable shared history. The duo were behind German drama The Tunnel more than two decades ago and have since worked on more than 20 TV series and films, including Generation War, Dresden, The Tower and The Same Sky.

Hofmann described the move as “the next logical step” in his career, while Mojto said the partnership was “the fulfillment of a long-held wish.”

Wünschmann added: “The current production environment for fictional storytelling is challenging and characterized by rising costs and complex financing structures. I am convinced that with our combined efforts, Nico Hofmann and Beta will produce outstanding projects.”

Hofmann is a veteran of the German scripted industry, launching teamWorx for The Tunnel in 2001. He then worked on shows including Hindenburg and The Physician, before being CEO of UFA from 2017 to 2023.

Fremantle appointed RTL Deutschland’s deputy chief content officer, Sascha Schwingel, as CEO of  UFA last year to replace Hofmann.

Schwingel oversees Where’s Wanda division UFA Fiction and fellow scripted arm UFA Serial Drama, as well as entertainment arm UFA Show & Factual (Deutschland sucht den Superstar) and Arctic Drift unit UFA Documentary, launched in 2021.