Born from a multicultural background herself, Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine embraces the rich diversity of cultures worldwide and leverages her passion for cross-cultural understanding to drive successful international cooperations

Seasoned expert 

20 years of extensive hands-on experience

on large-scale international productions 

14 years of professional mentoring 

French & English

BIO AT A GLANCE

Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine began her career at the renowned Théâtre du Soleil, under the mentorship of Ariane Mnouchkine, where she immersed herself in the vibrant world of a multicultural company. This unique ensemble brought together nationalities from all five continents, blending the rich influences of the Orient and Asia with the timeless works of Greek tragedies, Shakespeare and Molière.

She then worked in various capacities including Production Manager, Head of Development, Line Producer, Business Affairs and Producer. She worked at ElefilmBoa Films, Kometa Films and, among others, at Unifrance NY, ROOFRAIC in Northern Ireland, Verve PicturesTWC UK. She managed the documentary department of ADR Production, overseeing more than 50 films and TVseries from international filmmakers, including MEMORIA DEL SAQUEO by Fernando Solanas (Honorary Golden Bear, Berlin 2002), MANA, BEYOND BELIEF by Peter Friedman & Roger Manley (IDFA 2004), ONE DAY IN PEOPLE'S POLAND by Maciej Drygas (IDFA 2005), RETURN TO KIGALI by Jean-Christophe Klotz (Cannes Critics' Week 2006), PRISONERS OF BECKETT by Michka Saal (ACID Cannes 2007), HOW TO DANCE WITH BEARS by Paul Anders Simma (CWFF 2008). At the time, she notably produced DE CASA AU PARADIS by Hind Meddeb & Gallagher Fenwick (Jury Prize FIGRA and Abu Dhabi IFF 2008), NIGHTCLUBBING by Carol Murphy (Fillmbase/Rté Award 2009), LE PIANO by Levon Minasian (France TV, Le Monde Prize & Jury Prize Clermont-Ferrand 2014).

She headed the international department at Arsam International and managed business affairs at KinoElektron. She worked on large-scale and noteworthy international co-productions, spanning independent to large-budget productions, including I, ANNA by Barnaby Southcombe (Berlin 2012), FINAL PORTRAIT by Stanley Tucci (Berlin 2017), FROST by Sharunas Bartas (Cannes Directors'Fortnight 2017) and IN THE DUSK by Sharunas Bartas (Official Competition Cannes 2020). She is the Associate Producer of THE PANGUNA SYNDROME by Olivier Pollet and Alexandre Berman (finalist for the Albert Londres Prize & Best Film FIFO 2017) and CUNNINGHAM 3D by Alla Kovgan (TIFF 2019).

Since 2007, she has been producing alongside acclaimed  Director Jihan El Tahri within Big Sister, a production company of films and documentary series. The company was among the first in France and Europe to support the voices of filmmakers from the African continent and the SWANA region, paving the way for them to be heard and creating a space for their narratives to thrive. Big Sister also pioneered what is now recognized as equitable co-production, emphasizing fair and balanced partnerships with co-producing countries, based on equal footing and what constitutes a standard business relationship, considering their unique realities, constraints, and challenges as an integral part of the collaboration. Together they have produced notable works for cinema, art venues and international broadcasters (ARTE, BBC, C+, ITVS, SBS, VPRO, NHK, YLE, etc) such as TV series by Jihan El Tahri BEHIND THE RAINBOW (Etalon d'Argent FESPACO 2009) and EGYPT'S MODERN PHARAOHS (FESPACO 2015) and features NASSER by Jihan El Tahri (TIFF 2016) and MARINER OF THE MOUNTAINS by Karim Aïnouz (Official Selection, Cannes 2021).

Jennifer's professional journey has been shaped by impactful collaborations with renowned Producers from Lebanon, Egypt, Croatia, and Poland, although based in France. These experiences have profoundly influenced her perspective, cultivating a nuanced sensitivity and a deep appreciation for diverse narratives and viewpoints.

In 2020, she co-founded Scale & Scope, a film consulting agency offering tailored guidance to industry professionals and overseeing international co-productions. 

She also serves as an independent international production consultant and legal adviser for markets, institutions and production companies.

Additionally, she teaches production and film financing at Paris film School ESRA, at the Gustave Eiffel International University and master's programs at several private schools (IESA, ISCOM, etc). She regularly engages in selection committees for funding bodies and serves as an expert for European institutions and industry programs.

Jennifer holds a Master's degree in Audiovisual Law, Business, and Management-D2A from Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne and a University Diploma in International Law from Lumière Lyon 2. Her academic journey began with a graduation in Theatre & Films Studies at Paris Sorbonne Nouvelle, followed by specialized studies at the Media Business School in Spain and at French CEEA in script editing.

She is a member of EAVE (Producers Workshop Alumni 2009), MEDIA Club and MEDIA Club'Elle.

She is a contributor to the EAVE Impact Think Tank and the founder of Media Club International.

PORTFOLIO

Advisor, OPEN DOORS 

Locarno Film Festival

Legal aspects of international coproductions | Financing strategies 

 

Consultant & Keynote Speaker, THE ATLAS WORKSHOP

Marrakesh International Film Festival

Financing strategies | International coproductions | Equitable coproduction

 

Mentor, LA FABRIQUE CINEMA

French Institute and ACM Pavillion of the Cannes Film Festival

Legal framework of co-productions | budget | financing plan | key negotiation terms | fair trade guidelines

 

Expert, EAVE PRODUCERS WORKSHOP

Financing | Business planning | Inclusive coproductions

 

Group Leader, CHANGE coproduction training course

International Media Support, CPH:DOX & EAVE

A development programme supporting European Eastern partnerships & coproductions organized in Moldova, Georgia and Denmark.

 

Group Leader, ARAB PRODUCERS LAB 

The Royal Film Commission of Jordan & EAVE

 

ConsultantAPA (African Producers Accelerator Program)

Big World Cinema in partnership with Bertha Foundation

Business planning and industry positionning

 

Co curator with Fabian Massah, EXPLORER KONFERENZ

Hambourg Filmfest Industry Days.             

                                                                     

Advisor, CINEMA DE DEMAIN | NEW PRODUCERS ROOM 

Marché du film, Cannes Film Festival.

Coproduction implementation | Financing strategies 

 

Trainer, PROJETO PARADISO  

International Coproduction Workshop 

 

Trainer, THE MEDIA FACULTY

Financing French drama series and the mechanisms of international co-productions, 3 sessions/year.

 

Tutor, EUROPEAN SHORT PITCH

ESP Coproduction Forum

Coproduction strategies

 

Consultant, DISFF

Coproduction Strategies

 

Project Mentor, CONCEPT SUPPORT

Eurometrople of Strasbourg

One-year mentorship of Writers & Directors on their project (short, documentary, feature) : dramaturgy support, structuring of intentions,  package and pitch deck elaboration, project positioning

 

Strategy & Legal Advisor, LPA (Les Producteur.trices Associé.e.s de la Région Sud)

Consultancies for production companies 

 

Expert for National, European & International Institutions

 

Expert assessments and missions carried out for private companies & individuals are not listed for confidentiality reasons & GPRD.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

SPEAKER

 

Legal Tools, podcast with Producer Klaudia Smieja (Madants, Poland)

Locarno Open Doors Toolbox 2025

 

Shifting from asymmetrical to aquitable co-productions: cultivating cultural awareness and building cultural intelligence capacity

The Atlas Workshops and Creative Producer Indaba 2024 

 

Equitable coproductions

Hambourg Explorer Konferenz 2024

 

Roundtable on europeanisation of French cinema: presentation of BNP Paribas' support measures in support of cinema

Cannes 2024 Cinema du Monde Pavilion in partnership with BNP Paribas, Cofiloisirs and the French Institute

 

Co-productions : Enjoy Complexity ! 

Rencontres du Cinéma Européens de Vannes & Films en Bretagne 2023

 

Coproducing in Europe: cooperation opportunities & lucky meetings

Webinar organized by Films en Bretagne & ESP 2023

 

 

ROUNDTABLE MODERATOR

 

Film financing : solving the maze

Open Fabrique Workshop Cannes 2025, Cinema du Monde Pavillion in partnership with Media Club International and The French Institute

 

15 roundtables : TV series trends, market analyses, AI tools and pitches, Case studies: Keizen and Bref.2, & Fireside chat with Netflix, Disney +, Amazon Studio & Max

Nouvelle Fiction Française 2025, The Media Faculty, Media Club

 

Coproducing between France and Algeria 

LPA (Les Producteur.trices Associé.e.s de la Région Sud) 2024

 

15 roundtables : TV Series Across the Spectrum: Navigating Technological Challenges, AI, and Beyond & Fireside chat with Netflix, Disney, Amazon & Max

Nouvelle Fiction Française 2024, The Media Faculty, Media Club

 

11 roundtables on International co-production for TV Series & streamers 

Nouvelle Fiction Française 2023, The Media Faculty, Media Club

 

 

PROGRAM DESIGNER | TRAINER | LECTURER

 

Initiating and managing an international co-production

Corporate training 

The Media Faculty 

 

Training emerging local producers in international collaboration and co-production.

Yallah Cinema and the French Ambassy of UAE

 

Tools for international co-production

Masterclass for LPA (Les Producteur.trices Associé.e.s de la Région Sud)

 

International co-development workshop

Les Escales Buissonnières in Lyon

 

Addressing an international market pitch: how to collaborate with a Producer

ESRA Master in screenwriting & directing

 

Documentary case study

ESRA Master in production & distribution

 

The audiovisual market, the value chain of production and documentary production case study

UGE International University

 

Professionalization module and funding application workshop

IESA

 

 

THE INSIDERS

The consultancies were very insightful to us. That's a kind of knowledge we don't get a chance to learn before we engage in any co-production deal.

Project team.

Co-production between Belgium/Sweeden/France/Senegal.

 

 

We are always keeping a thankful heart to you for giving us so much warm advice and showing us the practical ways when we really needed help.

Poject team.

Coproduction between Korea/Burma/Singapore/Denmark

Your consultation was the most tangible discussion I've had regarding coproduction, aligning perfectly with the current issues i'm facing.

Nadia, Producer, Ukraine

Your analysis provided valuable insights that significantly contributed to        our ability to readjust our project positionning  & our financing strategy.

Producer, France

I really enjoyed the way you explained so nicely those very complicated legal topics, especially the part about the obligations. It was so clear and easy to understand. And your specific advices were highly practical and could be directly applied to solve the problem we have.

Paula, Producer, Brazil

CPH:DOX - THE PEANUTS PRIZE 2025

An honor presented to the most engaged, kind, and supportive individual at the industry conference.

Jennifer received it as part of her role as a group leader of the CHANGE program led by IMS, EAVE & CPH:DOX.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The award celebrates not only personal commitment but also highlights the essential value of mentorship and guidance within industry forums—spaces CPH:DOX envisions as environments of encouragement, collaboration, and creative discovery.

HIGHLIGHTS

Collaborations | Consultations

MA Cry of Silence

Directed by The Maw Naing and produced by Youngjeong Oh, the film is about a young Burmese woman who moves to the big city to work in a garment factory. It was praised for “its courageous portrayal of resistance to historical and ongoing political challenges under Myanmar’s political junta”. 

A co-production between Korea, Singapore, France, Norway and Qatar.

A project followed as part of Open Doors Consultancy.

I, The Song

Directed and produced by Dechen Roder, the film is about exploitation, music, identity, love and a culture balanced precariously on the threshold of a reckless digital age.

A coproduction between Buthan, France, Italy, Germany and Norway.

A project followed as part of Open Doors Consultancy.

 

Photos credit : Mihail Călărășan for EAVE, Ma Cry of Silence Film, I The Song Film, Cinema de Demain, The Atlas Worshop