After the launch just two months ago with one splash from BerlinUpstart Distributor 1-2 Special has made two key rents, both of which are previous industry veterans from Badly.
Amanda Trokan and Nico Chapin have joined 1-2 special to strengthen the distributor’s presence before Kanes. The Trokan will serve as senior vice president for acquisitions, and Chapin will be vice chairman of publicity.
Former Sideshow-Human Jason Halestein founded the company and wants to acquire and release films from top levels and international festivals. The first feature that the acquired and plans to release is Radu Jude’s “Continental ’25,” that made its premiere at 2025 Berlin International Film Festival and Won the script prize.
The team will have a strong presence in Cannes when they appear to be strategically expanding the current slate.
The Trokan led the North American programming team at Mubi, monitored platform-curation and licensing and negotiating a slate of filmmakers such as Hirokazu Kore -a, Quentin Dupieux, Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Alex Ross, Tyler, Rebeca Zlotowski, Tyler, Tyler, Tyler, Tyler, Tyler, Rebeca Zlotowski Martn, Martn, Vera Rekan Ruizpalacios, Radu Jude and others. Before that, the Trokan spent over a decade at HBO, including eight years as CEO of the film acquisition team, and she helped bring films such as “Drive My Car” to Max, Like the A24 library. She started her career at film at the Lincoln Center.
Chapin has nine years experience in marketing and PR and has last helped to launch Metrogography imagesHelps to monitor the release of India Donaldson’s prize-nominated “Good One.” He previously had roles on both Mubi and Cinetic Media and contributed to campaigns for “another round”, “First Cow” and “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.” During his time at Mubi, he led the US release and award campaigns for Park Chan-Wook’s “decision to leave”, Ira Sach’s “passages” and Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves.”
