Former TF1 Group CEO and chairman Gilles Pélisson has gone through a baptism of fire this week in his new role of president at French film and TV promotional body Unifrance as he attends his first edition of its annual Paris Rendez-vous.
In its 26th year, the event has long been a must-attend event for cinema buyers looking for French films. More than 420 cinema buyers from 50 countries are attending this edition as 40 film sales companies unveil their French slates for 2024.
Since 2022, the event also features a TV market and screening program following Unifrance’s merger with TV France International in 2021.
Close to 50 French audiovisual distribution companies have been presenting animation, documentary, and fiction to some 100 European buyers for the third year.
Appointed in July, Pélisson took over from film critic and former French Cinematheque head Serge Toubiana as Unifrance’s first president hailing from the audiovisual world.
Deadline sat down...
In its 26th year, the event has long been a must-attend event for cinema buyers looking for French films. More than 420 cinema buyers from 50 countries are attending this edition as 40 film sales companies unveil their French slates for 2024.
Since 2022, the event also features a TV market and screening program following Unifrance’s merger with TV France International in 2021.
Close to 50 French audiovisual distribution companies have been presenting animation, documentary, and fiction to some 100 European buyers for the third year.
Appointed in July, Pélisson took over from film critic and former French Cinematheque head Serge Toubiana as Unifrance’s first president hailing from the audiovisual world.
Deadline sat down...
- 1/19/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Less than three months after being tapped CEO of Banijay France, Alexia Laroche-Joubert, a well-known industry figure, has enlisted Authentic Media, a leading French premium scripted banner that will join the “Peaky Blinders” production-distribution powerhouse.
The acquisition of Authentic Media, who produced hit French adaptations of series such as “Rita” and “This is Us,” took a couple of years to materialize and will further bolster Banijay France’s portfolio of scripted labels. These include the in-house outfits Banijay Studio France and Shine Fiction; as well as Fiction’Air (“Les Disparus de la Forêt Noire”); Terence Films (“Rivière-Perdue”); Montmartre; Screen Line (“Trash”); and Marathon, which has three series in development.
Founded in 2011 by Aline Panel, Authentic Media’s production output spans drama, film, and documentary. With 15 projects in development, the company has developed seven seasons of “Sam,” based on the Nordic series hit “Rita” which was created by Christian Torpe for...
The acquisition of Authentic Media, who produced hit French adaptations of series such as “Rita” and “This is Us,” took a couple of years to materialize and will further bolster Banijay France’s portfolio of scripted labels. These include the in-house outfits Banijay Studio France and Shine Fiction; as well as Fiction’Air (“Les Disparus de la Forêt Noire”); Terence Films (“Rivière-Perdue”); Montmartre; Screen Line (“Trash”); and Marathon, which has three series in development.
Founded in 2011 by Aline Panel, Authentic Media’s production output spans drama, film, and documentary. With 15 projects in development, the company has developed seven seasons of “Sam,” based on the Nordic series hit “Rita” which was created by Christian Torpe for...
- 11/23/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Federation Studios Taps TF1 Head Of Drama
Former TF1 Head of Drama Anne Viau has joined Paris-based film and TV company Federation Studios, as she launches her own production company, Quelle Aventure!. Her fledgling banner joins another 20 labels, also including Bonne Pioche, Cottonwood Media, Fabula Pictures and Picture Perfect Federation, a joint venture between Patrick Wachsberger and Federation Studio co-heads Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan. Viau was Head Of Drama at TF1 from 2018 until this month, overseeing series such as The Bonfire of Destiny or Women at War, Hpi, Balthazar, One of Us, Tomorrow is Ours and Ici Tout Commence. Viau said Quelle Aventure! marked a new chapter in her professional life. “This venture also allows me to return to my first love, which is writing and which is central to my new role as a producer, alongside attracting key talent and sourcing great stories,” she said. The partnership will...
Former TF1 Head of Drama Anne Viau has joined Paris-based film and TV company Federation Studios, as she launches her own production company, Quelle Aventure!. Her fledgling banner joins another 20 labels, also including Bonne Pioche, Cottonwood Media, Fabula Pictures and Picture Perfect Federation, a joint venture between Patrick Wachsberger and Federation Studio co-heads Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan. Viau was Head Of Drama at TF1 from 2018 until this month, overseeing series such as The Bonfire of Destiny or Women at War, Hpi, Balthazar, One of Us, Tomorrow is Ours and Ici Tout Commence. Viau said Quelle Aventure! marked a new chapter in her professional life. “This venture also allows me to return to my first love, which is writing and which is central to my new role as a producer, alongside attracting key talent and sourcing great stories,” she said. The partnership will...
- 9/8/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has swooped on “Vortex,” the event drama-fantasy series which recently launched on France Televisions and garnered stellar ratings. The limited series will be available on Netflix in 190 countries starting June 2.
The mini-series was produced by Quad Drama, the banner behind “Women at War” and “The Bonfire of Destiny” — a pair of highly successful shows which were jointly commissioned by Netflix and TF1.
Set in 2025, the show stars Sisley as Ludovic, the police captain in the French city of Brest who lost the love of his life, Melanie, 27 years prior in a tragic accident.
But while studying a reconstructed VR crime scene, he stumbles upon a time warp that turns his life upside down: thanks to a glitch, he’s able to communicate with Mélanie, just a few days before her death, in 1998. Trying desperately to save her from her tragic fate, Ludovic risk losing his own life in the...
The mini-series was produced by Quad Drama, the banner behind “Women at War” and “The Bonfire of Destiny” — a pair of highly successful shows which were jointly commissioned by Netflix and TF1.
Set in 2025, the show stars Sisley as Ludovic, the police captain in the French city of Brest who lost the love of his life, Melanie, 27 years prior in a tragic accident.
But while studying a reconstructed VR crime scene, he stumbles upon a time warp that turns his life upside down: thanks to a glitch, he’s able to communicate with Mélanie, just a few days before her death, in 1998. Trying desperately to save her from her tragic fate, Ludovic risk losing his own life in the...
- 4/18/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Once pitted against each other as rivals, streamers and broadcasters have become unlikely allies in the face of increased competition and economic pressure following the pandemic and the launch of more content viewing platforms.
Even in France, where Netflix was referred to as the “devil” by France Televisions president Delphine Ernotte Cunci in a 2019 interview, the tide has turned and a number of ambitious series have been jointly financed by both local broadcasters and streamers.
Examples of collaborations vary from period drama series such as “The Bonfire of Destiny” and “Women at War,” from TF1 and Netflix, to action series like Ziad Doueiri’s “Dark Hearts,” from France Televisions and Amazon Prime Video. What do these shows have in common? They shot in French with local casts, and have the high budgets and production values that are typically allocated to international co-productions like “Marie Antoinette,” which shot in English and...
Even in France, where Netflix was referred to as the “devil” by France Televisions president Delphine Ernotte Cunci in a 2019 interview, the tide has turned and a number of ambitious series have been jointly financed by both local broadcasters and streamers.
Examples of collaborations vary from period drama series such as “The Bonfire of Destiny” and “Women at War,” from TF1 and Netflix, to action series like Ziad Doueiri’s “Dark Hearts,” from France Televisions and Amazon Prime Video. What do these shows have in common? They shot in French with local casts, and have the high budgets and production values that are typically allocated to international co-productions like “Marie Antoinette,” which shot in English and...
- 4/14/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Rodolphe Belmer, the former CEO of Canal+ Group, who recently took the helm of France’s leading commercial channel TF1, said the company looks to forge deeper ties with streaming services, including Netflix, to team on premium content.
Belmer, who was part of Netflix’s administration board from 2018 to 2022, explained TF1 is facing a dearth of U.S. content available for its primetime slots. “U.S. series are less and less available because of the vertical integration of big U.S. production companies and networks, so we have to replace the bulk of these programs,” said Belmer, who recently succeeded to Gilles Pelisson as CEO and chairman of TF1.
The French executive pointed out these U.S. shows are not easy to replace because they pulled some of the highest ratings on primetime TF1 and were “very profitable because the costs to acquire them were largely below the advertising revenues they generated.
Belmer, who was part of Netflix’s administration board from 2018 to 2022, explained TF1 is facing a dearth of U.S. content available for its primetime slots. “U.S. series are less and less available because of the vertical integration of big U.S. production companies and networks, so we have to replace the bulk of these programs,” said Belmer, who recently succeeded to Gilles Pelisson as CEO and chairman of TF1.
The French executive pointed out these U.S. shows are not easy to replace because they pulled some of the highest ratings on primetime TF1 and were “very profitable because the costs to acquire them were largely below the advertising revenues they generated.
- 3/23/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Ziad Doueiri, the French-Lebanese filmmaker of the Oscar-nominated movie “The Insult” who made his TV debut with the hit series “Baron Noir,” will next direct “Fièvre” (“Fever”).
“Fièvre” was penned by “Baron Noir” screenwriter Eric Benzekri and has been co-developed by French pay TV group Canal+’s Creation Originale label.
The show is being produced by Quad, the Paris-based company behind Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache’s “Intouchables” and the series “The Bonfire of Destiny.”
“Fievre” is headlined by two female characters played by Nina Meurisse, who notably starred in Celine Sciamma’s Berlinale competition film “Petite Maman,” and Julia Piaton, from Emmanuel Mouret’s “Love Affair(s)” which was part of Cannes 2020’s official selection.
Doueiri told Variety that the series will follow a woman who leads a crisis management firm and comes across a massive scandal involving a Black soccer player who beat the team’s coach, who is white.
“Fièvre” was penned by “Baron Noir” screenwriter Eric Benzekri and has been co-developed by French pay TV group Canal+’s Creation Originale label.
The show is being produced by Quad, the Paris-based company behind Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache’s “Intouchables” and the series “The Bonfire of Destiny.”
“Fievre” is headlined by two female characters played by Nina Meurisse, who notably starred in Celine Sciamma’s Berlinale competition film “Petite Maman,” and Julia Piaton, from Emmanuel Mouret’s “Love Affair(s)” which was part of Cannes 2020’s official selection.
Doueiri told Variety that the series will follow a woman who leads a crisis management firm and comes across a massive scandal involving a Black soccer player who beat the team’s coach, who is white.
- 10/17/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based company will reveal first footage at the Unifrance Rendez-vous with French Cinema in Paris.
French sales company Other Angle Pictures has boarded sales on dark comedy Spoiled Brats, the French-language remake of 2013 Mexican hit The Noble Family (Nosotros Los Nobles).
The Paris-based sales company will unveil first footage at the five-day Unifrance Rendez-vous with French Cinema in Paris which kicks off today (Jan 16).
Gerard Jugnot stars as a wealthy businessman who pretends his company is financially ruined in a bid to encourage his three pampered, adult offspring to live independently. Comedian Artus, Camille Lou (The Bonfire Of Destiny) and...
French sales company Other Angle Pictures has boarded sales on dark comedy Spoiled Brats, the French-language remake of 2013 Mexican hit The Noble Family (Nosotros Los Nobles).
The Paris-based sales company will unveil first footage at the five-day Unifrance Rendez-vous with French Cinema in Paris which kicks off today (Jan 16).
Gerard Jugnot stars as a wealthy businessman who pretends his company is financially ruined in a bid to encourage his three pampered, adult offspring to live independently. Comedian Artus, Camille Lou (The Bonfire Of Destiny) and...
- 1/16/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Madrid — Giant network TF1, pubcaster France Televisions, upscale channel Arte France, free-to-air network M6 and European TV-film force Studiocanal, owned by Vivendi’s Canal Plus Group, are among companies confirmed for June’s Conecta Fiction in Spain, where France has been chosen as its European Country Focus.
A much appreciated Europe-Latin America production forum and networking event, which allows companies far more time to meet, great and plan than May’s L.A. Screenings, the 4th Conecta Fiction will unspool for the second year running in Pamplona, northern Spain, over June 22-25, at the Baluarte Palace of Congress.
These combines will be joined by Mediawan Originals, Orange Studio, Lagardère Studios, Federation Entertainment, Elephant International, Banijay Group, Gaumont, Wild Horses Group and Newen, all companies with large ambitions in international: Banijay paid $2.2 billion last October to acquire the Endemol Shine Group.
The initiative is also backed by the might of French institutions,...
A much appreciated Europe-Latin America production forum and networking event, which allows companies far more time to meet, great and plan than May’s L.A. Screenings, the 4th Conecta Fiction will unspool for the second year running in Pamplona, northern Spain, over June 22-25, at the Baluarte Palace of Congress.
These combines will be joined by Mediawan Originals, Orange Studio, Lagardère Studios, Federation Entertainment, Elephant International, Banijay Group, Gaumont, Wild Horses Group and Newen, all companies with large ambitions in international: Banijay paid $2.2 billion last October to acquire the Endemol Shine Group.
The initiative is also backed by the might of French institutions,...
- 1/9/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
As Christmas nears, Netflix will ring in this holiday season with new Kris Kringle-themed films including “A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish,” “Home for Christmas” and “A Family Reunion Christmas.”
Tiffany Haddish, meanwhile, will be celebrating Hanukkah with her newest stand-up special “Black Mitzvah,” in which she shares how she’s embracing her roots after discovering her father’s Eritrean-Jewish heritage.
Kevin Hart’s new special also hits Netflix this month. His docu-series “Don’t F**k This Up” will highlight his Oscar hosting controversy, as well as his daily life.
Acclaimed movies like Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” with Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, along with “Two Popes,” are also joining the streamer in December. On the TV front, Season 2 of “You” starring Penn Badgley arrives on Netflix just after Christmas.
View the complete list below:
Dec. 1
Dead Kids
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl...
Tiffany Haddish, meanwhile, will be celebrating Hanukkah with her newest stand-up special “Black Mitzvah,” in which she shares how she’s embracing her roots after discovering her father’s Eritrean-Jewish heritage.
Kevin Hart’s new special also hits Netflix this month. His docu-series “Don’t F**k This Up” will highlight his Oscar hosting controversy, as well as his daily life.
Acclaimed movies like Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” with Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, along with “Two Popes,” are also joining the streamer in December. On the TV front, Season 2 of “You” starring Penn Badgley arrives on Netflix just after Christmas.
View the complete list below:
Dec. 1
Dead Kids
A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl...
- 12/1/2019
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has confirmed that 54 new original series, movies and specials will be debuting on the streaming service in December. Leading off the lineup is the eagerly awaited Noah Baumbach family drama “Marriage Story” starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. While that starts streaming on Dec. 6, another awards hopeful, “The Two Popes,” with Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and Tony champ Jonathan Pryce, won’t hit the service till Dec. 19.
In the lead-up to Christmas, Netflix is programming a slew of holiday fare, including the third entry in the “A Christmas Prince” franchise, as well as the one-offs “A Family Reunion Christmas,” “Home for Christmas” and “Three Days of Christmas.”
Below is the full schedule of everything that is coming and leaving Netflix in December 2019.
Sign Up for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
Available December 1
Dead Kids — Netflix Original Movie
Available December 2
Nightflyers: Season 1
Team Kaylie: Part...
In the lead-up to Christmas, Netflix is programming a slew of holiday fare, including the third entry in the “A Christmas Prince” franchise, as well as the one-offs “A Family Reunion Christmas,” “Home for Christmas” and “Three Days of Christmas.”
Below is the full schedule of everything that is coming and leaving Netflix in December 2019.
Sign Up for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
Available December 1
Dead Kids — Netflix Original Movie
Available December 2
Nightflyers: Season 1
Team Kaylie: Part...
- 12/1/2019
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Netflix has released their list of everything coming and going throughout the month of December.
There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that we’re gaining Season 2 of “You,” which features Penn Badgley as a handsome murderer who seems to kill the women he loves the most. In a surprising twist, we’re also getting the 2005 classic, “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl,” and other highlights like Ian Somerhalder’s new vampire show “V Wars,” “Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah,” and the new Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson-led film “Marriage Story.”
The bad news is, we’re losing Season 7-11 of Anthony’s Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown.” We’re also losing “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Billy Elliott,” “Rain Man,” “Pulp Fiction,” and “Rocky” I-v.
Also Read: 'Black Summer' Renewed for Season 2 by Netflix
Here’s the full list of everything coming and going throughout Dec.
There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that we’re gaining Season 2 of “You,” which features Penn Badgley as a handsome murderer who seems to kill the women he loves the most. In a surprising twist, we’re also getting the 2005 classic, “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl,” and other highlights like Ian Somerhalder’s new vampire show “V Wars,” “Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah,” and the new Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson-led film “Marriage Story.”
The bad news is, we’re losing Season 7-11 of Anthony’s Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown.” We’re also losing “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Billy Elliott,” “Rain Man,” “Pulp Fiction,” and “Rocky” I-v.
Also Read: 'Black Summer' Renewed for Season 2 by Netflix
Here’s the full list of everything coming and going throughout Dec.
- 11/20/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
During a succession of keynote addresses at MipTV, Canal Plus Group’s chairman and CEO Maxime Saada, France Televisions’s president Delphine Ernotte Cunci and TF1’s chairman and CEO Gilles Pelisson spoke about strategic alliances with European broadcasters and streaming services.
Although Canal Plus Group has been impacted by the launch of Netflix in France and currently boasts slightly less subscribers than the streaming service, Saada said the pay TV company was open to distribute Netflix, Amazon Prime and even Apple as part of its offer. Under Saada’s leadership, Canal Plus Group previously made carriage deals with French telco operators Free and Orange to ramp up its subscription numbers.
Saada said he was looking to double the number of Canal Plus Group’s global subscribers which currently stands at 16.2 million, the bulk of which will come from international markets. He pointed out that the banner was also looking...
Although Canal Plus Group has been impacted by the launch of Netflix in France and currently boasts slightly less subscribers than the streaming service, Saada said the pay TV company was open to distribute Netflix, Amazon Prime and even Apple as part of its offer. Under Saada’s leadership, Canal Plus Group previously made carriage deals with French telco operators Free and Orange to ramp up its subscription numbers.
Saada said he was looking to double the number of Canal Plus Group’s global subscribers which currently stands at 16.2 million, the bulk of which will come from international markets. He pointed out that the banner was also looking...
- 4/9/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
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