# Bron Studios
**Bron Studios** (legal name Bron Media Corp.) was a Canadian film and television financing and production company headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, co-founded in 2010 by Aaron L. Gilbert and his wife Brenda Gilbert.[1](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bron-studios-execs-talk-bombshell-future-plans-at-afm-finance-conference-panel/5144604.article) • [2](https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/office-superintendent-bankruptcy/en/ccaa-records-list/ccaa-records-bron-media-corp) It produced or executive produced more than 125 productions, including the Oscar-winning *Joker*, and entered insolvency proceedings in Canada and the United States in July 2023.[3](https://ca.linkedin.com/company/bron-studios) • [4](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1308565-bron-studios-files-for-bankruptcy)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010, by Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert; headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia[1](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bron-studios-execs-talk-bombshell-future-plans-at-afm-finance-conference-panel/5144604.article) • [2](https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/office-superintendent-bankruptcy/en/ccaa-records-list/ccaa-records-bron-media-corp) |
| Output | More than 125 productions produced or executive produced; 38 Academy Award nominations (6 wins) and 39 BAFTA nominations across BRON companies[3](https://ca.linkedin.com/company/bron-studios) |
| Slate financing | $100 million six-film co-financing deal with Warner Bros. (December 2018) and a further $100 million deal with MGM (June 2019) through the Bron Creative joint venture[5](https://jhmoviecollection.fandom.com/wiki/Bron_Studios) • [6](https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-warner-bron-joker-movie-20181218-story.html) |
| Notable credits | *Joker*, *Fences*, *Bombshell*, *House of Gucci*, *Licorice Pizza*, *Judas and the Black Messiah*, *Ghostbusters: Afterlife*, *The Mule*[4](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1308565-bron-studios-files-for-bankruptcy) • [7](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bron-shifts-from-backing-tentpoles-to-focus-on-core-business-as-creative-producers/5175392.article) |
| Insolvency | CCAA protection filed July 19, 2023 in British Columbia with Grant Thornton Limited as monitor, plus Chapter 15 recognition in the United States[2](https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/office-superintendent-bankruptcy/en/ccaa-records-list/ccaa-records-bron-media-corp) |
| Outcome | CCAA proceedings terminated May 13, 2024 after a sale-and-investment process sold the vast majority of Bron Studios' assets; the company closed at the end of 2023[8](https://cases.tdbadvisory.ca/cases/2024/02/Motion-Record-re-Appoint-Receiver-Returnable-Aug-5-2025.pdf) • [3](https://ca.linkedin.com/company/bron-studios) |
## History
Aaron L. Gilbert, originally from [London, Ontario](https://www.edgepedia.org/london-ontario), began his career in music management and publishing before moving into film finance; he had been managing director of Media House Capital, a senior lender in film and television, before launching the company with Brenda Gilbert in 2010.[5](https://jhmoviecollection.fandom.com/wiki/Bron_Studios) Gilbert later described the early years as built on small independent films while he learned the international sales market and debt financing; by 2019 the company described itself as standing "with one foot in the independent world and one foot in the studio world."[1](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bron-studios-execs-talk-bombshell-future-plans-at-afm-finance-conference-panel/5144604.article)
In September 2017 the business was reorganized so that Bron Media Corp. became the parent company, with the genre label the Realm, Bron Releasing, and Bron Animation joining as subsidiaries; Daniel D. McClure was hired as president and chief operating officer.[5](https://jhmoviecollection.fandom.com/wiki/Bron_Studios) The BRON Media group's divisions came to include BRON Studios, BRON Creative, BRON Animation, BRON Releasing, BRON Digital, BRON Life, and BRON Ventures.[9](https://www.cineymax.es/perfiles/167048-perfil-de-aaron-l-gilbert)
## Financing model and slate deals
**Bron Creative** was a joint venture between Bron Studios and Jason Cloth's Creative Wealth Media that provided capital for the studio's co-productions and senior secured debt financing for independent film and television.[5](https://jhmoviecollection.fandom.com/wiki/Bron_Studios) Its first film was Paramount's *Fences*.[5](https://jhmoviecollection.fandom.com/wiki/Bron_Studios) In December 2018, Bron Creative and Warner Bros. agreed to a six-film slate with $100 million in co-financing, a deal announced as covering movies including *Joker*.[5](https://jhmoviecollection.fandom.com/wiki/Bron_Studios) • [6](https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-warner-bron-joker-movie-20181218-story.html) A further $100 million co-financing slate deal with MGM followed in June 2019; MGM's filings state that Bron would co-finance titles from MGM and [Orion Pictures](https://www.edgepedia.org/orion-pictures) including *[Child's Play](https://www.edgepedia.org/childs-play-2019-film)*, *The Addams Family*, *[Gretel & Hansel](https://www.edgepedia.org/gretel-and-hansel)*, *Bad Trip*, *Candyman*, and *Respect*, with MGM controlling worldwide distribution rights for the films it co-financed.[5](https://jhmoviecollection.fandom.com/wiki/Bron_Studios) • [10](https://uploads3.craft.co/uploads/source/document/940810/2ab0f41b3518533a.pdf)
These arrangements produced some of the company's largest credits: *Joker*, [Todd Phillips](https://www.edgepedia.org/todd-phillips)' film starring [Joaquin Phoenix](https://www.edgepedia.org/joaquin-phoenix), reached $1 billion in global box office, and Bron also backed [Clint Eastwood](https://www.edgepedia.org/clint-eastwood)'s *The Mule* and Ridley Scott's *House of Gucci*.[7](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bron-shifts-from-backing-tentpoles-to-focus-on-core-business-as-creative-producers/5175392.article) Bron also stepped in to fully finance *Bombshell* in 2019 after Annapurna Pictures pulled out, carrying the film until distribution was secured.[1](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bron-studios-execs-talk-bombshell-future-plans-at-afm-finance-conference-panel/5144604.article)
In October 2022 the company said it was shifting away from backing tentpole films to focus on its "core business as creative producers."[7](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bron-shifts-from-backing-tentpoles-to-focus-on-core-business-as-creative-producers/5175392.article) Beyond its own slate, BRON acted as a financial backer, back-office studio, and co-producing partner for start-up production companies, including [Kid Cudi](https://www.edgepedia.org/kid-cudi)'s Mad Solar, the team behind HBO's *Euphoria* and *The Idol*, Apple's *Black Bird* and *The Morning Show*, Focus' *TÁR*, and A24's *X*.[3](https://ca.linkedin.com/company/bron-studios)
## Animation and BRON Digital
The Bron Animation division, led creatively by Gil Rimmer and Ben Burden Smith, began with two *Mighty Mighty Monsters* specials.[5](https://jhmoviecollection.fandom.com/wiki/Bron_Studios) BRON Digital, publicly launched in July 2020 under industry veteran Jason Chen as EVP and headquartered from BRON's Beverly Hills offices, focused on animation produced with virtual production techniques using [Epic Games](https://www.edgepedia.org/epic-games)' Unreal Engine; its first project was the animated series *Fables*, retelling tales such as *The Tortoise and the Hare* and *Three Little Pigs*.[11](https://www.unrealengine.com/spotlights/bron-digital-s-fables-finds-new-levels-of-creativity-with-real-time-animation?lang=en-ca) While pandemic safety requirements slowed live-action production in early 2020, the animation artists remained in continuous production.[11](https://www.unrealengine.com/spotlights/bron-digital-s-fables-finds-new-levels-of-creativity-with-real-time-animation?lang=en-ca)
## Television
Bron expanded into television using an independent-film financing model, with pre-sales to key markets through local broadcasters, soft money, and tax incentives; investments included the A24/HBO production *Euphoria* and the series *Shadowplay*.[1](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bron-studios-execs-talk-bombshell-future-plans-at-afm-finance-conference-panel/5144604.article) The company was a production company and financier on the Irish crime drama *Kin* season 2, with BRON Releasing as sales agent.[12](https://www.screenireland.ie/images/uploads/general/SI_Prod_Catalogue_2023.pdf)
## Collapse
On July 19, 2023, Bron Media Corp. and 43 entities listed in the initial order filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in the [Supreme Court of British Columbia](https://www.edgepedia.org/supreme-court-of-british-columbia), with Grant Thornton Limited appointed as court-appointed monitor; the group cited the COVID-19 pandemic and the WGA and [SAG-AFTRA](https://www.edgepedia.org/sag-aftra) strikes among the causes of its failure.[2](https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/office-superintendent-bankruptcy/en/ccaa-records-list/ccaa-records-bron-media-corp) The company sought recognition of the Canadian proceedings in the United States under Chapter 15, and the court found Bron was engaged in a genuine restructuring effort, with debtor-in-possession financing from its largest secured creditor, Creative Wealth.[13](https://www.richter.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/book-of-authorities-re-amended-and-restaed-initial-order-and-sisp-order-dated-april-7-2025.pdf) The court-approved process included a sale and investment solicitation procedure (SISP) developed with the monitor.[13](https://www.richter.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/book-of-authorities-re-amended-and-restaed-initial-order-and-sisp-order-dated-april-7-2025.pdf)
The CCAA proceedings were terminated on May 13, 2024, following the SISP, which resulted in the sale of the vast majority of Bron Studios' assets.[8](https://cases.tdbadvisory.ca/cases/2024/02/Motion-Record-re-Appoint-Receiver-Returnable-Aug-5-2025.pdf) BRON's LinkedIn page states that the company closed its doors at the end of 2023.[3](https://ca.linkedin.com/company/bron-studios)
**Related insolvencies.** BRON Studios UK Ltd, a private limited company incorporated on 9 May 2018, entered administration on 17 October 2023, with Philip Reynolds and Ian James Corfield of FRP Advisory Trading Limited as practitioners; the company remains in administration, with administrator's progress reports filed through 2026.[14](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11352827/insolvency) • [15](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11352827/filing-history) Creative Wealth Media Finance (CMWF) was deemed to have filed for bankruptcy on November 28, 2023.[8](https://cases.tdbadvisory.ca/cases/2024/02/Motion-Record-re-Appoint-Receiver-Returnable-Aug-5-2025.pdf)
## References
1. [Bron Studios execs talk 'Bombshell', future plans at AFM finance conference panel, Screen Daily](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bron-studios-execs-talk-bombshell-future-plans-at-afm-finance-conference-panel/5144604.article)
2. [CCAA Records: Bron Media Corp. and 43 Entities, Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada](https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/office-superintendent-bankruptcy/en/ccaa-records-list/ccaa-records-bron-media-corp)
3. [BRON, LinkedIn company page](https://ca.linkedin.com/company/bron-studios)
4. [Bron Studios Files for Bankruptcy, ComingSoon.net](https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1308565-bron-studios-files-for-bankruptcy)
5. [Bron Studios, JH Movie Collection Wiki (Fandom)](https://jhmoviecollection.fandom.com/wiki/Bron_Studios)
6. [Warner Bros. signs $100-million co-financing deal with Bron Creative for movies, including 'Joker', Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-warner-bron-joker-movie-20181218-story.html)
7. [Bron shifts from backing tentpoles to focus on "core business as creative producers", Screen Daily](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bron-shifts-from-backing-tentpoles-to-focus-on-core-business-as-creative-producers/5175392.article)
8. [Notice of Motion, Form 37A, re Appointment of Receiver (Bron Studios / CWMF), TD Bank Advisory](https://cases.tdbadvisory.ca/cases/2024/02/Motion-Record-re-Appoint-Receiver-Returnable-Aug-5-2025.pdf)
9. [Perfil de Aaron L. Gilbert, Cineymax](https://www.cineymax.es/perfiles/167048-perfil-de-aaron-l-gilbert)
10. [MGM Holdings CY2019 Consolidated Reporting](https://uploads3.craft.co/uploads/source/document/940810/2ab0f41b3518533a.pdf)
11. [BRON Digital's 'Fables' finds new levels of creativity with real-time animation, Unreal Engine](https://www.unrealengine.com/spotlights/bron-digital-s-fables-finds-new-levels-of-creativity-with-real-time-animation?lang=en-ca)
12. [Production Slate for Film & Television 2023, Screen Ireland](https://www.screenireland.ie/images/uploads/general/SI_Prod_Catalogue_2023.pdf)
13. [Bron Media Corp. (Re), 2023 BCSC 1563 (CanLII), book of authorities, Richter](https://www.richter.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/book-of-authorities-re-amended-and-restaed-initial-order-and-sisp-order-dated-april-7-2025.pdf)
14. [BRON STUDIOS UK LTD insolvency, Companies House](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11352827/insolvency)
15. [BRON STUDIOS UK LTD filing history, Companies House](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11352827/filing-history)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen production organizations › Production companies and industry people › Independent production companies › American and Canadian companies*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license