Pulse Films alumni launch Magna Studios

Pulse Films alumni Marisa Clifford and Davud Karbassioun have launched a multi-format production outfit, backed by their former colleague Thomas Benski.

The duo has unveiled Magna Studios, billed as a ‘next-generation studio redefining visual storytelling.

Clifford, who was co-founder and chief executive at Pulse, and former global president Karbassioun will serve as co-chief execs of Magna, which has already secured global brand campaigns for Apple, Nike and Spotify and its first scripted feature Straight Circle.

It has also unveiled the production of the anticipated Oasis reunion documentary.

The outfit is backed by Lumina, the global media venture founded by Pulse co-founder Benski.

Magna Studios’ ethos, according to its founders, is to be a ‘platform-agnostic’ leader in films, documentary, branded and music storytelling production, supported by a scalable studio infrastructure.

The company’s model spans development, financing, production, and distribution as well as supporting a globally curated roster of filmmakers and rising voices such as Brutalist director Brady Corbet and filmmakers Oscar Hudson, James Marsh, Sam Pilling, Haley Anderson, Jeff Tremaine, Asif Kapadia and Ariel Fisher.

Magna Studios will operate from hubs in London, New York and Los Angeles and is helmed by a leadership team including fellow Pulse alumnus James Sorton, managing director for commercials, senior vice-president of non-fiction Olly Calleja, creative director of non-fiction Louis Mole, Sam Bridger, head of music documentaries, and Tim O’Shea, group director of commercial and business affairs.

Clifford said: “The industry is undergoing seismic change, driven by AI, shifting rights models, funding pressures, and evolving audiences. Creators need strategic partners who can help them navigate this complexity, build long-term value, and diversify their output across mediums.

“We’ve designed a studio that’s both future-ready and creatively grounded, where trust, infrastructure, and ambition come together to build lasting homes for talent and IP.”

Karbassioun added: “Branded storytelling is moving way beyond interruption – it’s becoming cinema, narrative, and cultural contribution.

“At Magna we are working with brands that embrace an entertainment mindset: commissioning original work, investing in IP, collaborating closely with our filmmakers and creating deeper relationships that are much more meaningful and rewarding over time.”