The Independents, whose portfolio includes the Meta Gala organizer Prodject, has acquired a majority stake in Phantasm Group, the hip Paris-based collective whose film banner Vixens backed James Gray’s “Paper Tiger.”

Founded a decade ago by Gary Farkas, Clément Lepoutre and Olivier Muller, Phantasm Group brings together three labels: Vixens, the film banner which helped financed “Paper Tiger,” and has produced or co-produced more than 20 feature films such as Jacques Audiard’s Oscar-winning “Emilia Pérez;” Phantasm, a commercials and music video banner behind campaigns for Hermès, Prada and Dior; an Olivia Rodrigo music video directed by Petra Collins at the Château de Versailles; and a recent Weeknd music video directed by Gaspar Noé; and Phenomena, a photography agency launched in 2022.

The acquisition deepens the luxury and lifestyle communications powerhouse’s push into entertainment and long-form storytelling at a time when brands are increasingly moving beyond traditional campaigns into films, entertainment partnerships and cultural IP.

The Independents is already plugged into the fashion world with a portfolio spanning Karla Otto, Bureau Betak, K2, Prodject, Lucien Pagès Communication and other agencies working across brand strategy, communications, runway shows and cultural activations.

“We are thrilled to welcome the collective under Phantasm Group into The Independents’ ecosystem,” said Isabelle Chouvet, The Independents’ co-founder and CEO. “As entertainment becomes an increasingly important communications lever for brands, the group’s extensive track record across cinematic production and artist management will complement and extend our capabilities, bringing even greater creative depth to our integrated global offering.”

Under the deal, Phantasm Group will retain full creative and operational autonomy while being amplified by The Independents’ global network. As such, Farkas, Lepoutre and Muller will continue running Phantasm, Vixens and Phenomena. Becoming part of The Independents is also meant to help Phantasm strengthen its presence in key markets including the U.S., the Middle East and Asia.

“After more than a decade of growth, we are excited to enter this new chapter to accelerate our international ambitions and expand the scale and reach of our work,” said Farkas, Lepoutre and Muller. “Together with world-class creative partners within The Independents, we see a clear opportunity to push boundaries across brand, culture, film and entertainment,” the trio added.

At the Cannes Film Festival, where it presented Quentin Dupieux’s “Full Phil” and “Paper Tiger,” Vixens unveiled its most ambitious film slate yet with projects from Kim Chapiron, Nima Nourizadeh, Jessy Moussallem, Eva Vik and Yann Demange.