Mubi is Set to Enter the Publishing Industry With a New Initiative

Mubi launches a publishing division, Mubi Editions, featuring cinema-focused books like "Read Frame Type Film" and celebrating the art of film globally.

on Dec 03, 2024

Mubi is Set to Enter the Publishing Industry With a New Initiative | Frontlist

Mubi Editions, expected to launch in April, will serve as a global publishing division focused on cinema and the arts, aiming to release various formats and genres. The first title will be “Read Frame Type Film,” which is being produced in partnership with the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and Mubi plans to release up to three books in total next year.

According to Mubi, this new endeavor aims to significantly contribute to building a worldwide community of art-loving viewers and readers, both now and in the future. The publishing arm will include four main series: Projections, which will focus on the cultural and historical aspects of film; Auteurs, featuring books and objects created in collaboration with prominent artists and filmmakers; Internegatives, dedicated to reissues of rare, out-of-print, or newly translated works; and Lights!, which will explore Mubi’s own productions and releases.

Mubi has previously offered selected merchandise related to its film catalog, including a candle modeled after Demi Moore’s deformed monster from a body horror film’s conclusion, as well as the biannual print magazine Notebook. However, launching an official publishing imprint—following in the footsteps of A24—marks a significant development during a time of substantial growth for the company. It has already surpassed its own theatrical box office records twice this year, first with “Priscilla” and then with “The Substance,” which was the company’s initial wide release in the U.S.

Available for pre-order now, “Read Frame Type Film” has been curated by Enrico Camporesi, design historian Catherine de Smet, and designer Philippe Millot. The book aims to highlight critical yet often overlooked textual elements—such as credits, subtitles, and title cards—in experimental and arthouse cinema. In this work, the team analyzes 24 films from the Centre Pompidou collection, presenting unique insights into the relationship between cinema and typography.

“Since its inception, Mubi has perceived publishing as a vital means of linking cinema with global audiences,” remarked Daniel Kasman, the vice president of editorial content. “With Mubi Editions, we are expanding on the excellent work done by our online and print magazine, Notebook, and venturing further: to establish a new book imprint dedicated to celebrating the artistry and depth of the seventh art. In this way, Mubi will continue its commitment to uniting audiences worldwide through their passion for exceptional films and the culture and heritage of cinema.”

Mubi Editions will be accessible via the Mubi website and will also have exclusive global distribution partners: Thames & Hudson for areas outside the U.S. and Canada, and Distributed Art Publishers for the U.S. and Canada.