Former EOne Exec Rainer Grupe Joins Jovera Pictures; First Look at 'Fly Little Bird'

Grupe will steer distribution, sales and marketing for the company's upcoming film.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Financing and production banner Jovera Pictures has hired former eOne Vice President of Film Rainer Grupe to its team. Grupe will serve as an executive producer on Jovera's upcoming film 'Fly Little Bird', which has completed production. The English-language film follows the story of an American singer struggling with addiction who escapes her family's West Bank settlement, eventually finding refuge in a Palestinian news agency.

Why it matters

Grupe's hiring represents a significant addition to Jovera Pictures' team, bringing in an experienced executive with a background in global sales and production. 'Fly Little Bird' also explores timely themes of addiction, grief and identity through a unique cross-cultural lens.

The details

Grupe was a producer on the Joaquin Phoenix film 'Buffalo Soldiers' and handled global sales for the documentary 'George Michael: A Different Story'. 'Fly Little Bird' is written and directed by Johannes Boesiger and stars Majinder Virk, Zoë Bleu, Michael Landes, Adam Bakri, Rasha Nahas, the late Mohammed Bakri, Deepti Naval, Adriana Altaras and Daniel Zuta. The film was shot in the Middle East, India and London, and features music from composer Nitin Sawhney as well as performances from Bleu and Nahas.

  • Jovera Pictures has completed production on 'Fly Little Bird'.
  • The film will be shopped to buyers at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin later this week.

The players

Rainer Grupe

Former Vice President of Film at eOne, who has joined Jovera Pictures as an executive producer.

Johannes Boesiger

Writer and director of 'Fly Little Bird', Boesiger's previous credits include 'Children of the Open Road'.

Jovera Pictures

A financing and production banner that has hired Rainer Grupe and is behind the upcoming film 'Fly Little Bird'.

Zoë Bleu

Rising star who recently appeared in Luc Besson's 'Dracula' and will perform music in 'Fly Little Bird'.

Nitin Sawhney

Composer who has worked on the music for 'Fly Little Bird'.

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What they’re saying

“It was a great privilege to be able to bring this film to life with an incredibly dedicated team of producers, who also allowed me to put together a cast that suited the story. This made it possible to find discoveries that lend the story great emotional authenticity and warmth. The seeds of this film were sown long ago, when I was living in the Middle East, India and London, searching for catharsis for my own experiences. Fly Little Bird has become a film that is as personal as it is honest.”

— Johannes Boesiger, Writer and Director, Fly Little Bird

“I am incredibly proud of this film. It is a music-driven drama that explores heavy themes such as addiction, grief and identity in a way that feels fresh and natural. With a triple-A music team featuring Nitin Sawhney, Hugh Padgham and Rasha Nahas, combined with Zoë Bleu's transformative performance, we have something truly special. This is the ideal project to launch Jovera's slate.”

— Rainer Grupe, Executive Producer, Fly Little Bird

What’s next

Grupe and producer Alexa Waugh will be shopping 'Fly Little Bird' to buyers at the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin later this week.

The takeaway

Jovera Pictures has assembled an impressive creative team and cast for 'Fly Little Bird', which explores timely themes through a unique cross-cultural lens. Rainer Grupe's hiring as an executive producer brings valuable industry experience to help guide the film's distribution, sales and marketing.