The Independents Deepens Its Entertainment Offering Announcing New Partner Phantasm Group

PARIS, JUNE 24, 2026 — The Independents, one of the world’s leading communications groups, has integrated the collective under Phantasm Group, including PHANTASM, VIXENS and PHENOMENA into its growing ecosystem, extending the group’s capabilities in content production, cinematic storytelling and artist management.

Today’s audiences have more content competing for their attention than at any point in history, and no obligation to engage with any of it. To cut through, brands must operate like producers of work audiences actively choose, shaped by clear cultural intent and delivered with real creative rigour. Welcoming renowned cinematic producers with deep roots in luxury into The Independents’ ecosystem reflects The Independents’ ambition to anticipate how client needs are evolving and build the integrated creative capabilities to serve them.

Founded in 2015 by friends Gary Farkas, Clément Lepoutre and Olivier Muller, Paris-based Phantasm Group is disrupting the commercial film model, bringing together directors, photographers, record labels, brands and investors to collaborate across formats and industries for clients including Dior, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Hublot, Hermès, Bvlgari, Chanel, Saint Laurent, Jacquemus and more.

PHANTASM was born from a collective vision to build a creative production house recognised for its cinematic approach to storytelling, combining creative ambition, elevated craftsmanship and production excellence. The studio represents an exclusive roster of Cannes Palme d’Or, Cannes Lions and Grammy Award-winning directors, and connects them with leading luxury and fashion brands to create brand campaigns and co-produce films that bring the artistic integrity of cinema to branded entertainment.

VIXENS is a film production company dedicated to championing ambitious filmmakers and distinctive cinematic voices. Working across development, financing and production, the company has produced or co-produced more than 20 feature films, half of which were fully or partly financed under the studio's distinctive model that brings luxury brands into projects as creative and financial partners. Recent examples include Academy Award-winning film Emilia Pérez by Jacques Audiard with Saint Laurent and Chien 51 by Cédric Jimenez with Lacoste. This line-up also includes acclaimed filmmakers such as Jean-Luc Godard, Claire Denis, Abel Ferrara, Gaspar Noé and Yann Demange.

In 2022, the trio founded PHENOMENA, an agency representing a curated roster of internationally acclaimed photographers. Combining timeless aesthetics with a contemporary perspective, the agency creates distinctive visual narratives for luxury, fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands.

“We are thrilled to welcome the collective under Phantasm Group into The Independents’ ecosystem. 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.” — Isabelle Chouvet, Co-Founder and CEO of The Independents.

“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. Together with world-class creative partners within The Independents, we see a clear opportunity to push boundaries across brand, culture, film and entertainment.” — Gary Farkas, Clément Lepoutre and Olivier Muller, Co-Founders of Phantasm Group.

Joining The Independents marks a new chapter for the collective under Phantasm Group, furthering their ambition to expand beyond France and build a stronger presence in key markets including the United States, the Middle East and Asia. Working across the ecosystem, the companies will explore new partnership models that bring luxury and high-interest brands into feature films and long-form content.

The Independents has strategically curated a global ecosystem of 23 best-in-class partner agencies specialising in strategy, insights, design, live experiences, content production and communications for the world’s leading luxury and lifestyle brands.