Banijay UK has entered a strategic partnership with scripted production company Popcorn Storm Pictures, led by Tom Harper and Negeen Yazdi. Popcorn Storm is a London-based, talent-led firm founded in 2018 by Harper, with Yazdi joining in 2024 to oversee the film and TV development slate.
The deal also includes a first-look distribution agreement with Banijay Rights and will see Harper and Yazdi develop premium scripted content with Banijay UK and its labels. With over two decades in the industry, Harper and Yazdi have built on their own 20-year friendship to craft extensive relationships with leading writers and actors. Marrying talent and IP from the ground up to tell bold and engaging stories from a British perspective for global audiences is central to their ethos.
Together, Harper and Yazdi have already built a robust slate at Popcorn Storm that includes projects in development with the BBC, Peacock, Netflix and Amazon. With access to Banijay UK’s ‘Scripted Hub,’ a network of support including business affairs, finance and production management, and the ability to co-produce with Banijay UK’s scripted labels, the partnership will provide both strategic and practical support to enable Harper and Yazdi to take the business to the next level.
Harper’s portfolio includes directing the first season of Peaky Blinders in 2013, 2016 BBC miniseries War & Peace (on which he first collaborated with Yazdi) and features Wild Rose (2018) and The Aeronauts (2019). The latter, starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, was produced by Popcorn Storm for Amazon Studios. The company’s credits also include the Golden Globe nominated A Gentleman in Moscow (2023), starring Ewan McGregor, for Paramount+.
Harper is currently in post-production on Netflix feature Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, starring Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth. Last June, Banijay UK acquired Caryn Mandabach Productions, transferring ownership of the BAFTA-winning global hit drama series and brand to Banijay UK which now manages all future series, spin-offs and brand ventures resulting from that IP including the Peaky Blinders movie.
Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK, said: “Tom and Negeen are formidable talents. I have had the pleasure of working with Tom on the upcoming Peaky Blinders film and he is a visionary director and he has a terrific partner in crime in Negeen. I’m thrilled they have chosen Banijay UK as their production partners and I’m confident that together we can supercharge their compelling creative vision.”
Harper and Yazdi added: “We are delighted to find a home for Popcorn Storm at Banijay UK. Patrick and the team represent the best of British production: a powerhouse of media and entertainment, and a hub of like-minded individuals. Banijay truly understand the ethos of Popcorn Storm and share our ambition to bring powerful stories to a global audience in this exciting new chapter.”
Harper’s other credits include This is England ‘86 (2010), Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams (2017) and The Son (2017). Following his debut feature with frequent collaborator Jack Thorne, The Scouting Book for Boys (2009), his film credits include 10x BIFA nominated Wild Rose; The Aeronauts, which premiered as Amazon Prime’s most-watched film of all time; and Netflix hit Heart of Stone (2019).
Yazdi is a leading film and television producer, after starting her career as an agent at Independent Talent Group. Before joining Popcorn Storm, she was SVP of Film Development & Production at Fifth Season during which time she oversaw the development and production of high-profile features including Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Academy Award nominee The Lost Daughter (2021), and the critically celebrated Flora and Son (2023). Previously, she was President of International Production at The Weinstein Company and Director of Worldwide Acquisitions at Universal. Yazdi’s credits also include Oscar winner The Imitation Game (2014), Lion (2016) and Woman in Gold (2015).
The deal was negotiated for Popcorn Storm by Josh Varney at 42, UTA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole and Jacqueline Moreton for Banijay UK.
