EXCLUSIVE: Screenwriter, actor and producer Will Jeffs and producer John Hauber have launched film and TV production banner Red Imp Films.

Operating out of Toronto and London, the company aims to develop, package, finance and produce film and TV projects for the global market.

The company’s debut project will be the UK-shot feature Get A Grip, written by Jeffs. The psychological thriller follows a traumatized WWII veteran who tries to outrun a dark secret during the infamous 1976 British summer drought. The duo will be at Cannes next month to discuss the film with potential partners.

Hauber and Jeffs began ideating on their film and TV production company 2023 while Hauber was producing the musical Rock of Ages at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto.

As an actor, Jeffs played Logan in MGM+’s The Westies with J.K. Simmons, the latest series from the creator of Narcos. Additional credits include Netflix’s FUBAR with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Zazu in Disney’s The Lion King stage musical.

Canadian-Argentine-British producer Hauber was a producer on 2024 film The Cut starring Orlando Bloom and directed by Sean Ellis, and doc feature Broken Country.

Said Jeffs: “John and I are thrilled to take on this endeavor together and work creatively and collaboratively to build something very special. While the film and television landscapes continue to evolve, this seems to us like the ideal time to bet on ourselves and champion strong material that brings our creative visions to life. We are creators at heart and have projects we’ll develop and nurture carefully, but remain flexible in collaborating with various partners around the globe. The structure of our company reflects how the industry is working today: nimble, hyper-creative and highly collaborative – yet we’ll maintain uncompromising boldness in our storytelling, which we anticipate will set us apart in many ways. We’re leaning into rich, untold stories, and will constantly explore innovative new material.”

Commented Hauber: “It’s a great time to build a creative led business, and I couldn’t have found a stronger partner than Will. He has an intrepid, creative voice that is rooted in passion and clearly defined. Our philosophy is to build something complimentary to how the film industry is evolving vs being reactionary to how the industry is changing. There’s clear opportunity in the marketplace for the projects we’re championing and the audiences we’re serving. Through thoughtful examination of the evolving entertainment ecosystem, what stands out is an amazing opportunity to deliver stories that audiences are really responding to. If we deliver at the level we set our standards to in terms of creativity and execution, we believe that betting on ourselves will pay off and our material will find and connect with audiences.”