‘Barry & Me’ Secures Global Distribution Deals Ahead of Berlin Market Premiere

Swiss box office hit Barry & Me has closed several major international distribution deals ahead of its market premiere at the European Film Market in Berlin.

Global Sales Success

The Playmaker confirmed that the family adventure film has been sold to Estinfilm for the Baltics, Media Squad for Eastern Europe, Grand Entertainment for the Middle East, Big Rights for Spain, and Samuel Goldwyn Films for the U.S. In Germany and Switzerland, distribution is handled by Wild Bunch and Ascot Elite.

The film has already proven successful in Switzerland, where it opened on Jan. 14. By its second weekend, it had surpassed 45,000 admissions, cementing its status as a local box office hit. A German release is scheduled for next month.

Story Inspired by Swiss Legend

Directed by Markus Welter, Barry & Me draws inspiration from the legendary barrel-wearing St. Bernard rescue dogs of the 1800s. The film tells the story of Georg, a 12-year-old boy who secretly raises a St. Bernard puppy in a mountain infirmary. Together, they embark on adventures across the Swiss Alps, blending history, folklore, and family-friendly storytelling.

Production and Support

The film is a Swiss-German co-production between Atlantis Pictures and MMC Zodiac. It received support from multiple cultural and film institutions, including the Zürcher Filmstiftung, Deutscher Filmförderungsfonds, Film und Medienstiftung NRW, Bundesamt für Kultur, Filmförderungsanstalt FFA, Suissimage, Kanton Luzern, and the Valais Film Commission.

Markus Welter’s Career

Welter made his feature debut in 2009 with Im Sog der Nacht, which screened at the Max Ophüls Festival and Zurich Film Festival. His diverse portfolio includes the 3D horror film One Way Trip 3D, the SRF/ZDF co-production Der Teufel von Mailand, and the hit SRF series Der Bestatter. He has also directed episodes of Tatort and the comedy series Seitentriebe.

Playmaker’s Berlin Slate

Alongside Barry & Me, Playmaker will launch sales for The Unicorn That Said No, a 3D animated family feature based on Marc-Uwe Kling’s bestselling book. With strong box office momentum and international distribution secured, Barry & Me is positioned to become one of the standout family titles at Berlin’s European Film Market.