Icon U.K. to seal distribution arm

After several days of speculation, Icon U.K. Group is shuttering its U.K. distribution arm with Lionsgate U.K. considered to remain in discussions to buy its library and take proper care of future releases of acquired game game titles inside the territory. What is the news uses Len Blavatnik's Access Industries, which bought Icon U.K. Group in November 2009, attracted on Aviv Giladi as Boss from the organization the other day in the move prone to herald a big change toward an even more production-based business.According to sources, the relaxation from the 32 employees within the London-based company informed the other day that roughly 20 might be axed. Icon U.K. Group goes using a consultation phase to find out which positions to lessen. In addition, sources mentioned that Lionsgate is predicted to purchase their U.K. library, including "Drive," "Only One Guy" and "Precious."Purchases that have not yet been distributed in Blighty include low-budget horror "You're Next," which Icon pre-bought for low six-figures from HanWay Films at Cannes. Coincidentally, Lionsgate acquired U.S. rights for your pic following its preem at Toronto. For now, sources condition the foreign sales arm, headed up by Hugo Grumbar, will remain intact but extended-term plans is to eventually close that fraction in the business while focusing solely on production and get of business photos. This isn't the first time this year that Icon has axed jobs: Within The month of the month of january, Icon release 15% of the staffers incorporated on price cuts due to the improved demands facing its U.K. biz. In those days, gossips were circulating that Access had given Grumbar and Ian Dawson, controlling director in the U.K. arm, yearly to demonstrate results or even the organization might be shut. In October, Variety states Access happen to be shopping Icon's U.K. library to potential customers carrying out a distrib's weak performance. Giladi, who's chairman of Israeli media company R.G.E. Group together with a non-executive director round the board of Ealing Art galleries, is believed being one of the figures manipulating the possibility acquisition of Icon's U.K. library. Icon rejected to comment throughout time of prone to press while Lionsgate wasn't readily available for comment. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com