Laurie May has launched prodco Elevation Pictures after the veteran distributor left Entertainment One earlier this year.

The former Alliance Films EVP was earlier a co-founder of Maple Pictures, which was bought by Alliance Films in 2011 from Lionsgate.

She is launching Elevation Pictures backed by an output deal with Teddy Schwarzman’s Black Bear Pictures, the New York-based producer, whose credits include Broken City, starring Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe.

The first Elevation Pictures title under the output deal is The Imitation Game, which starts production on Sept. 15, and stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley.

Morten Tyldum is directing.

“I am thrilled to be in business with Teddy Schwarzman, principal of Black Bear, who has creative vision and produces films that will bolster the slate of Elevation Pictures,” said May in a statement Saturday as she unveiled her distribution outfit at the Toronto International Film Festival.

May is the latest Canadian distributor to launch their own outfit after Entertainment One acquired Alliance Films.

“I am excited to create another viable competitor in the market, and hope to establish further additive strategic alliances in the near future,” May added.