Former Les Films Séville president Patrick Roy (pictured) has secured financing to launch a new Quebec-based film distribution company following Entertainment One’s (eOne) exit from the theatrical business in Canada.

Roy has made financial agreements with the Quebec government via agency Investissement Québec, as well as the Société de Développement des Entreprises Culturelles (SODEC), Montreal’s regional Fonds de solidarité FTQ, and the National Bank of Canada. The agreements are “subject to normal closing conditions,” according to a news release.

The initial film slate, as well as the name of the company, will be announced at a later date. The distributor will be owned and controlled by Roy.

Roy departed his roles as president, global theatrical distribution at eOne and president of Les Films Séville earlier this year as the company ended its theatrical businesses in Canada and Spain.

The strategic shift left a gap in Quebec’s theatrical landscape, as Les Films Séville was considered one of the largest feature film distributors in Quebec. Its Canadian catalogue includes the animated feature Vaillante and the fantasy drama L’Arracheuse de temps.

The eOne evolution will continue in 2023, after its owner Hasbro confirmed that president and CEO Darren Throop will depart the company at the end of the year.