Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Comments Off on Banijay Iberia Partners with D&I Organisation Fundación Diversidad
Banijay Iberia (a Banijay company) announces it is a sponsoring partner of Fundación Diversidad, the largest European business movement of diversity and inclusion. The company will promote the principles of equality, inclusivity and anti-discrimination among its staff, as well as between collaborators, suppliers, and clients.
Banijay Iberia, a group that includes Cuarzo Producciones, Diagonal TV, Endemol Portugal, Gestmusic, Magnolia, Shine Iberia, Tuiwok Estudios and Zeppelin, among other production companies, has demonstrated its commitment to diversity and inclusivity through its broad offering of series and its casting and recruitment.
Pilar Blasco, CEO, Banijay Iberia, says: “At Banijay Iberia, we believe in the potential of culture and the power of audio-visual products to build a more inclusive, accessible, and supportive society, which fosters positive change. We are hugely sensitive to social realities and we preserve diversity in our content. In parallel, internally at Banijay, we have employee resource groups promoting respect and equality, such as Banijay Embrace, Banijay Pride, Banijay Disability and Banijay Elle. By joining Fundación Diversidad, we reaffirm our commitment to creating safe, open, and responsible environments, for all the people who work with us.”
Sonia Río, Director, Fundación Diversidad, added: “The incorporation of Banijay Iberia into the Foundation is important because we believe that the culture, entertainment and media sector has a fundamental role in the transformation of society and, furthermore, it is capable of taking this message to mass audiences. It is necessary for companies in this sector to have diverse and inclusive workforces, and to put this diversity at the centre of innovation, to broaden the industry’s competitive offering of authentic storytelling, and making, for audiences and clients alike.”
Comments Off on EndemolShine Germany Highlights Low Literacy Levels with Banijay’s The Write Offs
Banijay, the content powerhouse, today announces that EndemolShine Germany, part of Banijay Germany, will adapt TheWrite Offs for ZDF. The format created by Banijay UK’s Shine TV will be known locally as Lost for Words (w/t) and presented by Sabine Heinrich.
The Write Offs gives a group of adults the incredible opportunity to change their lives and address the one thing that may be holding them back. Can you imagine not being able to navigate public transport or read a text? For many, this is a reality, as globally a large proportion of people struggle with the basic literacy skills necessary for everyday situations. In this empowering format, adults receive one-to-one tuition and embark on an eye-opening journey as they face tasks that encourage them to go outside of their comfort zones. The series concludes with a heart-warming and dramatic performance for their loved ones.
Fabian Tobias, Managing Director at EndemolShine Germany says: “The Write Offs shines a light on an issue that affects 6 million people in Germany and up to now rarely discussed. Just as in the UK, Denmark, and Australia, we hope this new series will provide uplifting and relevant content whilst also inspiring those who do struggle with their literacy.”
Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations at Banijay says: “The Write Offsresonates worldwide, because shockingly-low literacy rates are not exclusive to one country. This is a daily reality for many people globally, and the show raises awareness and starts discussions among the wider public. It is powerful, empowering, stigma-reducing, and we’re looking forward to seeing where it goes next.”
Originally created by Shine TV for UK broadcaster Channel 4, this commission marks the fourth adaptation of the factual series with The Write Offs having travelled to Denmark and Australia where a second series recently aired on SBS. Described in the UK as ‘a heart-warming, inspiring and education watch’, by Stylist UK and in Australia as ‘an unexpectedly joyous documentary series’, by The Saturday Paper Australia, the show has received international acclaim. In addition, the show had a positive social impact – a study from SBS found that 94% of Australians felt more aware of adult literacy following series one, and 91% said it gave hope to Australians with lower literacy.
EndemolShine Germany is a leading production and entertainment company in Germany and is behind some of the nation’s best-loved non-scripted shows, with titles such as Big Brother VIP, Kitchen Impossible, Limitless Win, The Masked Singer, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Comments Off on NBC Revs Up to Launch Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge
NBC gets the show on the road with a series order of “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge,” an epic car makeover competition series based on one of the world’s most popular toys.
Hosted by Rutledge Wood (“Top Gear US,” “Floor Is Lava”), who will also serve as one of the show’s judges, the 10-episode series will give Hot Wheels® superfans the opportunity of a lifetime – turning a nostalgic car from their past into the life-sized Hot Wheels of their dreams. The season-finale winning creation will spin its wheels by launching as an official Hot Wheels die-cast car.
“Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” is an original format developed and produced by Endemol Shine North America in association with Workerbee under license from Mattel Inc. Executive producers are showrunner Tim Warren, along with Andy Thomas, Sharon Levy, DJ Nurre and Michael Heyerman from Endemol Shine North America; Rick Murray and Chris Hale from Workerbee (a Banijay UK Company); and Fred Soulie and Phil Breman from Mattel Television.
“Everyone remembers their first car, the life experiences they had and the friends who came along for the ride. Hot Wheels is a legendary brand that has created a space for imaginations to run free,” said Corie Henson, EVP, Unscripted Programming, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “Our prolific partners at Endemol Shine North America and Mattel have created larger-than-life family viewing with edge and humor all led by car enthusiast Rutledge Wood, whose creativity, credibility and passion for Hot Wheels makes him the perfect person to drive this wild competition.”
Each episode will invite two passionate car fans and Hot Wheels lovers into the Chrome Zone, where they will each face off in transforming an ordinary vehicle into an extraordinary Hot Wheels showstopper, inspired by personal stories and pop culture touchstones. Working alongside a team of automotive magicians known as “The Car Pool,” the two Superfans will create their designs in high-tech, decked-out garages. Raising the stakes of the competition is the Inspirationator 5000, a larger-than-life vending machine that will rev up in each episode to present the Superfans with a twist in the road.
Riding shotgun will be a rotating panel of celebrity guest judges joining resident experts Hertrech (“Hert”) Eugene Jr., an influencer in car culture and the drift scene, and Dalal Elsheikh, designer for the Ford Motor Company and Hot Wheels Brand Ambassador. Wood, Eugene and Elsheikh, along with the celebrity guests, will review the transformations and crown a winner. The winner of each episode will take home $25,000 and the chance to get into the finale, where three lucky finalists will transform another car in hopes of winning a legendary prize – an additional $50,000 and the honor of having their design made into an official Hot Wheels die-cast car.
More than 16 Hot Wheels cars are sold per second across the globe, and this all-new “Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge” die-cast car will join the ranks of the 8 billion+ Hot Wheels that have been produced to date.
Comments Off on Totally Spies! Springs into Action for Webtoon Series
Banijay Kids and Family, part of content powerhouse Banijay, today announces a partnership with Belgian publisher Editions Dupuis, part of Média-Participations, to transform the hit spy-fi animation, Totally Spies!, into a unique webtoon for digital platform ONO.
An increasingly popular genre of comics, developed for digital smartphone reading, the vertical strips will bring the characters of Totally Spies! to a new medium. The webtoon will be available as a weekly serialisation in French, and available for foreign rights.
2D-animated franchise Totally Spies!, produced by Zodiak Kids & Family France, is set to return to screens in 2024 with a brand-new series, following its original six-season run between 2001 and 2013. The upcoming series follows the three legendary secret agents, Sam, Clover and Alex, as they move to a new city and take on a fresh crop of villains.
Annick Bizet, New Business & Strategic Alliances Director, Banijay Kids & Family says: “Totally Spies! is a globally-loved show with a strong existing fanbase, and given the excitement for the new series, demand from fans for brand extensions is high. Webtoons offer a new and modern reading format for young audiences, and this project will ensure we continue catering to our audiences and the changing ways in which they consume their entertainment.”
Stéphane Ferrand, Senior Publishing Director, Editions Dupuis adds: “Strong, leading female characters, action and adventure, humour, fashion, gadgets…Totally Spies! is one of those rare transgenerational licences whose ingredients conceal an ever-relevant modernity. The webtoon is now a favoured medium for reading content among young people around the world and the marriage between this and such a strong IP was inevitable.”
Delphine Dumont, Chief Commercial Officer, Banijay Kids & Family says: “We are so pleased to announce this very exciting deal which marks the start of our relaunch strategy of this iconic brand, prior to the new series reveal on M6/GULLI (France) and Discovery Kids LatAm in 2024. Lots more to come for our favourite spies!”
Dupuis is a 100-year-old Belgian publisher behind a number of successful series for children and adults such as Spirou, Lucky Luke, Kid Paddle or Largo Winch, which have become household names amongst European comics readers. The company strives to reinvent itself, driving its expansion into other fields such as animation and digital platforms like ONO.
Comments Off on Banijay Spotlights Premium Portfolio for London TV Screenings
Content powerhouse, Banijay, today confirms the line-up for its bespoke London TV Screenings event on Wednesday 1 March at BAFTA. It marks the second physical participation in the wider annual distribution gathering, which runs from Monday 27 February to Friday 3 March.
Shining a light on scripted, Banijay Rights’ premium offering includes UK dramas Three Little Birds for ITV and BritBox International, This Town and The Sixth Commandment for the BBC, Domina for MGM+ and Sky, Safe Home for SBS, as well as feature documentary LARA (w/t).
This year’s stellar scripted offering will be complemented by Banijay’s unscripted formats fronted by its Creative Networks team. Included are fresh interior design competition, TheBig Interiors Battle; addictive dating and relationship shows, Love Triangle, Date My Mate, Save the Date; entertainment newcomers,Boomerissima and Cover Night; competition titles Blow Up and MasterChef Young Talent; and sneak peeks will be on offer for much-anticipated adventure reality, The Summit, and comedy entertainment, No Strings Attached.
As part of the exclusive, invite-only event, This Town creator, writer and executive producer, Steven Knight, stars of Three Little Birds Rochelle Neil, Yazmin Belo, and Saffron Coomber, will be interviewed live on the BAFTA stage, as well as The Sixth Commandment writer Sarah Phelps and director Saul Dibb; Safe Home star Aisha Dee, Domina creator Simon Burke and award-winning LARA (w/t) director Mags Gavan.
Cathy Payne, CEO at Banijay Rights says: “This year’s Banijay at BAFTA event is set to have the strongest line-up yet, and we’re proud to create a truly must-attend showcase for international buyers, with a high-calibre of talent supporting us on stage. With an extensive range of genres, bringing globally relevant themes to audiences, we expect our eclectic roster of content to be immensely popular.”
James Townley, Global Head of Content Development & Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations at Banijay comment: “From Love Triangle to Blow Up and No Strings Attached, at Banijay, we have a strong pipeline of emerging IP that we’re proud to present. This is down to our creatives who we are delighted to support in super-charging their ambitious ideas and getting them on-screen and travelling the world.”
Banijay Rights’ footprint in the premium documentary space has expanded over the last year, and along with Banijay Benelux joint venture Scenery, it’s lining up LARA (w/t). Directed by the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning Mags Gavan, the film recounts an extraordinary reconciliation story between Jorge Lara and Juan Pablo Escobar – the son of notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
On the scripted front, Banijay Rights is highlighting Three Little Birds, the six-part drama created by Sir Lenny Henry which depicts his mother’s stories of leaving Jamaica in the 1950s. The project is produced by Tiger Aspect Productions in association with Douglas Road Productions – both Banijay UK companies. Meanwhile, from Kudos, (a Banijay UK company) and Nebulastar, and co-produced with Mercury Studios, in association with Kudos North, Stigma Films, and Nick Angel for the BBC, This Town tells the story of an extended family and four young people who are drawn into the world of ska and two-tone music. This marks the first project of the Kudos-Knight creative partnership deal which supports the Birmingham film and TV industry.
The Sixth Commandment, from Wild Mercury Productions (a Banijay UK company) and True Vision Productions, is a true crime drama which explores the deaths of Peter Farquhar and Anne Moore-Martin in a small English village, while Domina returns for a second season, from Tiger Aspect Productions in association with MGM+ Studios, continuing the epic sweeping drama series that takes place during one of the most provocative periods in Roman history.
In addition, thriller Safe Home, the first commission for Imogen Banks’ new production company Kindling Pictures, which follows Phoebe, played by Aisha Dee, a 20-something professional who leaves her job at a prestigious law firm to work at a struggling family violence legal centre. As interconnecting stories unfold, relationships are tested and pressure mounts to save the centre.
Joining Banijay’s factual competition offering is brand-new interior design format, The
Big Interiors Battle from Banijay UK’s Remarkable Factual. Eight people with an eye for design receive the keys to an apartment where they are challenged to transform a different room each week. Will their key card work when they next try to enter or have, they been locked out the competition?
Love Triangle is a bold new relationship show created by the producers of Married at First Sight Australia, Endemol Shine Australia. It challenges a group of singles to relinquish their grasp on what they think their perfect partner should look like and instead choose, sight unseen. Following its successful first season on Stan, it has been recommissioned for a second series. Produced by Dragonfly in the UK, Date My Mate also explores modern dating. Based on the Endemol Shine Australia format Date Night, singles swipe through prospective suitors on the formats’ dedicated real-life app and then watch the subsequent dates unfold. In addition, in Save the Date single women tired of the dating world gain total control of their love life by setting a wedding date, before they have even begun to search for their partner. Will setting a love deadline help them find the one? Created by Endemol Shine Israel, Endemol Shine Finland produced the first series for Nelonen.
Boomerissima, created by Banijay Italia, is all about proving the superiority of your generation. Each episode sees celebrities from different eras pitted against each other highlighting TV shows, movies, music, famous names, adverts, etc to refute stereotypes and highlight whether things were better in the past or the present. The first series concluded on Rai 2 this month, outperforming the channels slot average across all demographics. Next up, how would Flowers by Miley Cyrus sound as rap or Beyonce’s Crazy in Love as a ballad? Cover Night is the singing contest from Shine Iberia that sees young talented singers (16+) go head-to-head as they transform hit songs into different genres and add their own twist to covers, accompanied by a live band.
Elsewhere, there are strong signs competition entertainment combos are here to stay with brand new formats from the Netherlands, and the Nordics. Amongst Banijay’s successful formats is Blow Up, created by EndemolShine Nederland and now commissioned in four territories. The first season which aired in the Netherlands last summer was the number one show in the slot on all commercial key demos with the slot average up 168% for 6-12-year-olds. Banijay also has the latest spin-off from MasterChef, the world’s most successful cookery television format which was created by Franc Roddam, starring a new generation of promising chefs, aged 13 to 18. Created by Danish company Metronome, and Nordisk Banijay in Norway, for Viaplay Group, this exciting and authentic new iteration aims to equip a future generation with the best tools within the industry, providing them with the platform and experience to one day, hopefully, fulfil their chef dreams.
On the first-look side, The Summit is a new and highly anticipated blockbuster adventure reality series created and developed exclusively with the 9Network by Endemol Shine Australia. Set in New Zealand’s rugged southern Alps, a group of strangers carrying an equal share of 1 million Australian dollars must reach the peak of a distant mountain in just 14 days to win the cash. All that stands in the way are a series of adrenaline-charged challenges and human nature. In a thrilling tale of endurance, survival, and greed; morals will be tested, physical limits pushed, and bonds broken. Will they work together or turn on each other as the going gets tough? And if they reach the summit in time…who will walk away with the money? Combining comedy with entertainment, RDF Television’s No Strings Attached invites a different celebrity in each episode to read an erotic piece of creative writing where they are the lead role. The adult fan fiction brought to life by puppet versions of the stars will encounter romance, scandal, mystery, intrigue, and farce.
More than 20 distributors join founder members Banijay Rights, Alll3Media International, Entertainment One, Fremantle and ITV Studios in showcasing their catalogues at this year’s London TV Screenings.
Comments Off on Lucy Bedford promoted to Managing Director of Tiger Aspect
Lucy Bedford is to take over leadership of Tiger Aspect becoming Managing Director. She will be responsible for the creative leadership of the business, working closely with Head of Comedy, David Simpson, and newly appointed Creative Director, Drama, Gabriel Silver, to build the slate of the scripted indie whose recent credits include Bad Education (BBC Three); Domina (Epix / Sky); Man Like Mobeen (BBC Three); Deep Fake Neighbour Wars (ITV X) and the upcoming Three Little Birds (ITV).
Previously Head of Drama at Tiger Aspect, a role she took up in 2019, Lucy has been instrumental in building up the drama slate and evolving the company’s drama strategy over the past 3 years. Credits include The Good Karma Hospital (ITV, series 2, 3 & 4), Domina (Epix and Sky, series 1 and 2) and the upcoming Three Little Birds (ITV and Britbox). She has also Executive Produced high-profile co-productions including the recent Litvinenko (ITV Studios and Tiger Aspect for ITV X) as well as building a pipeline of upcoming projects.
Lucy reports directly to Banijay UK CEO Patrick Holland and takes up her new role with immediate effect.
Lucy’s first appointment in the role is Gabriel Silver who she has appointed as Creative Director, Drama. Working closely with writers and talent to further build the drama pipeline, Gabriel will help steer the overall strategic direction of Tiger’s drama slate while working as an Executive Producer on specific projects.
A drama specialist, previously Director of Commissioning, Drama at Sky studios, where credits included Emmy and BAFTA-winning series Chernobyl and global hit Gangs of London, and returning franchises Britannia and COBRA. Recent commissions include Mary & George and Day of the Jackal.
Lucy will continue to work in partnership on the commercial and operational business growth strategy with Chief Commercial Officer Zoe Brown and Chief Operating Officer Helen Wright.
Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said; “Lucy is an exceptional creative leader who has brought great clarity and purpose to the Tiger Aspect development slate. And with Three Little Birds and the second series of Domina soon to deliver, she’s responsible for major shows with phenomenal creative ambition.
I’m so excited that she’ll be taking the reins of the business and with David Simpson’s burgeoning comedy slate (Deep Fake Neighbour Wars, the rebirth of Bad Education, the return of Man Like Mobeen) and the addition of Gabriel Silver as Creative Director, together they will be a formidable editorial leadership team.
Helen Wright and Zoe Brown remain in their senior roles driving the business forward operationally and commercially. There are exciting times ahead.”
Lucy Bedford added; “I am beyond thrilled to welcome Gabriel to Tiger. His exceptional taste, deep relationships and finely tuned creativity will be invaluable as we continue to expand our scripted offering in the UK and international market. With him, David, Zoe and Helen alongside, I am full of excitement about the next chapter of my own journey at Tiger telling stories that resonate, entertain and inspire while leading a team with an unswerving commitment to putting talent at the heart of all we do.”
Gabriel Silver said: ‘I’m delighted to be joining Lucy, and the entire Tiger Aspect and Banijay team at a moment of renewed creative ambition at this stellar scripted label. After several years in commissioning, I can’t wait to work directly with the brilliant writers and creative talent from our enviable drama community.”
Lucy joined Tiger Aspect as an Executive Producer in 2014, being promoted to Head of Drama in 2019. Prior to joining Tiger Aspect, Lucy was an Executive Producer at Ecosse Films where amongst others, she Executive Produced three series of the hit BBC show Mistresses. She also spent 10 years within the comedy and drama department at Granada Television.
Gabriel joined Sky in 2017 as Senior Commissioning Editor and Executive Producer at Sky Studios before being promoted to Director of Commissioning in 2021. Prior to his time at Sky, Gabriel worked at a range of indies including Left Bank Pictures and Kudos.
Comments Off on Rubicon TV Strengthens Creativity with New Senior Hire
Content powerhouse, Banijay, today announces a new creative appointment at Norwegian scripted company, Rubicon TV, with Lars Gudmestad joining as Executive Producer. He will begin the position in April 2023.
Gudmestad is one of the most experienced film and TV screenwriters in Norway with credits including Norwegian Film Institute Amanda Award winner Buddy, and other films such as Headhuntesr, The Orheim Company, Betrayed, as well as the TV series Next Summer and The King of Christmas. Prior to this appointment he worked at Feelgood and Fantefilm as a writer and development producer.
Lars Gudmestad says: “Rubicon TV is recognised here in Norway, and internationally, as an innovative company built on the belief that originality is the key to shaping the future. I’m looking forward to working with the team to raise fresh emerging voices and using my passion to create new projects for Rubicon.”
Ivar Køhn, CEO Rubicon TV comments: “We are incredibly happy that Lars will now be part of our creative team. We strongly believe in having writers in the role of executive producers and having Lars in this new position will strengthen our opportunities to create original series for an ever-evolving market.”
Over the years, Rubicon TV has distinguished itself as one of Norway’s most innovative drama producers with high-profile international credits Lilyhammer, Beforeigners, and Countrymen, which won awards at BANFF’s The Rockies, as well as Cannes Series in 2022. The company is also behind the recently announced spy drama E14 Unit for Special Intel for TV2 Norway.
Comments Off on Endemol Shine Israel’s Emmy Award- winning Comedy, Nevsu, to be Adapted in Germany
Banijay today confirms that Endemol Shine Israel’s fictional comedy series, Nevsu, will be adapted in Germany. Produced by Neuesuper GmbH for ZDF, the format will be known locally as I Don’t Work Here.
The family comedy format sees three generations from two worlds come together to form one family in I Don’t Work Here. Revolving around Dawit and Laura, a young multi-racial couple, and their daughter, the pair are battling living with her parents and facing huge scrutiny from her mother-in-law. Exploring culture clashes, generational frustrations, and everyday racism with humour, endearing characters and family warmth, the standout series is now set to make a splash in Germany.
The German adaptation will be directed by Arman Riahi and written by Romina Ecker and Malina Nnendi Nwabuonwor.
Amir Ganor, CEO of Endemol Shine Israel comments: “The Israeli audience was charmed by this comedy series as not only is it funny, but Nevsu also cleverly highlights the importance of building bridges, appreciating our differences, and family. There is a universality to the story, and we’re excited to see the show adapted for a new audience in Germany.”
Jasmin Maeda, Managing Director ZDFneo: “We’re excited to announce, I Don’t Work Here, a NEUESUPER series production, adapting the Israeli show Nevsu by Endemol Shine Israel. The series will tackle important themes with wit and charm. Viewers will be taken into the lives of Laura and Dawit, where family warmth is emphasized and prejudices are challenged with a playful approach”.
Florian Kamhuber, executive producer for Neuesuper: “The funniest conflicts usually arise from the most banal everyday situations. The writers of Nevsu have taken this art to the extreme. That’s why we’re honored to have been able to lovingly adapt the format with its entertaining storylines and quirky characters for the German-speaking market”.
Created by Shay Ben Atar, Yossi Wassa, Liat Shavit and Gal Zaid, and produced by Endemol Shine Israel for Reshet 13, the International Emmy Award-winning show first premiered in 2017 and has since aired a second series. The company is also behind premium scripted titles such as Queens, Fifty, and Valley of Tears; as well as non-scripted titles including Big Brother.
Comments Off on Banijay Rights Boards 72 Films’ Boris
Banijay Rights today announces it has acquired global distribution rights to Boris (working title), a new 72 Films documentary series that chronicles the rise and fall of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Produced by 72 Films (The Trump Show,Crime & Punishment) for Channel 4 in the UK, Boris is the definitive documentary series that reveals the events that shaped Alexander Boris De Pfeffel Johnson, his meteoric rise to power and his extraordinary premiership.
Through a combination of rare archive footage and with access to those with intimate knowledge of Johnson over the years, the 4 x 60’ series will hear from both his friends and enemies to reveal his true persona. The films will give greater insight into his actions, his ambition and the real events that have shaped modern British politics.
Executive produced by 72 Films’ David Glover, the series divulges how the seeds of political rivalries still being felt in British politics all began in the corridors at Eton, where Johnson beat David Cameron to the prestigious role of School Captain, and how he sharpened his skills whilst campaigning for Student President at Oxford. It also explores his rise and rise as a politician, becoming mayor of London and finally achieving his dream job: Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Banijay Rights will represent Boris globally.
Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, said: “Boris gives a deep insight into one of the UK’s most mystifying and controversial political leaders, revealing how early life events shaped Boris Johnson’s character right up to his tenure as the country’s most powerful man. We’re in no doubt 72 Films’ extraordinary series will be an eye opening account for international buyers.”
Mark Raphael, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, 72 Films, said:“If there’s one single person whose life depicts the recent history of Britain – it’s Boris Johnson. He led the Brexit campaign, was both prime minister and in intensive care during Covid, and is connected to both Russia and Ukraine. This documentary series tells the life story of one of the world’s most compelling characters.”
Boris joins Banijay Right’s growing slate of documentary series ahead of Banijay’s London TV Screeningsevent at BAFTA on 1st March.
Comments Off on BBC and Rai Kids Partner for Super Happy Magic Forest
Banijay Kids & Family today announces a new animation, Super Happy Magic Forest, produced by Tiger Aspect Kids & Family with Movimenti Production (both Banijay Kids & Family companies). A broadcast collaboration with BBC and Rai Kids, the series is based on the popular picture books of the same name by Matty Long. A pre-sale has also been secured with Canal+.
First published by Oxford University Press in 2015, Super Happy Magic Forest is a comedy quest adventure series featuring five heroes, brought together by their mutual love of questing, picnics and frolicking. Led by the outgoing and courageous faun, Hoofius; Blossom (unicorn), Herbert (gnome), Twinkle (fairy) and Trevor (mushroom) battle villains, share journeys, and have a jolly good time along the way as they learn how to be true heroes and how to quest sensibly.
The 52×11 minutes series will bring to life the world created in the books, in a colourful 2D animation for 7+ years. Exec Producers are Tiger Aspect Kids & Family’s MD Tom Beattie (Mr Bean: The Animated Series) and Jeff ‘Swampy’ Marsh (Phineas and Ferb).
Tom Beattie, MD, Tiger Aspect Kids and Family says: “I have been on my own long quest to bring this project to screen and I’m Super Happy that we can now frolic into the magic forest and bring Matty’s beautiful, funny world to life.”
Giorgio Scorza, CEO, Movimenti Production says: “We all love the Super Happy Magic Forest books and I’m thrilled to start this production alongside Tiger Aspect Kids & Family. I really can’t wait to bring all the fun of these adventures to their audience.”
Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family CEO says: “Tiger Aspect Kids & Family and Movimenti Production are a powerful duo of producers and a brilliant example of the combined creative talents within our team. We are very proud that the BBC and Rai Kids have chosen Super Happy Magic Forestas a bridge between the international kids content community.”
Sarah Muller, Head of BBC Children’s Commissioning 7+ says:: “Super Happy Magic Forest is full of joy and I loved it from the first moment I saw it. I just know our audience will feel the same too.”
Luca Milano, MD, Rai Kidssays: “Super Happy Magic Forest is going to bring fun and fantasy. We look forward to welcoming this new co-production with BBC, Movimenti Production and Tiger Aspect Kids & Family on Rai Yoyo TV.”
Matty Long, author and illustrator of the book series says: “I am beyond excited that the five heroes of the Super Happy Magic Forest books are making the journey from page to screen. What started as me doodling in a sketchbook will become a whole series of animated adventures and I cannot wait to share them with everyone.”
Under the leadership of MD Tom Beattie, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family creates bold, funny and iconic content for all ages, from pre-school through to family. Spanning live-action series and animated shows, notable credits for the multi-BAFTA award-winning company include Aliens Love Underpants, Charlie and Lola, Mr Bean: The Animated Series, Danny & Mick, Tinga Tinga Tales and the recently launched, animated YouTube Original Corpse Talk.
Italy’s leading independent production and animation studio, Movimenti Production, has produced acclaimed animated TV series, music videos, live-shows and multi-platform projects for local and global audiences. With more than 40 productions to its name, recent successes include the internationally popular 2D animated adventure/comedy Topo Gigio, Le Loup with Rai Kids and the first Italian YA animated series, Zerocalcare’s Tear Along the Dotted Line for Netflix. The company is run by joint CEOs and Creative Directors, Giorgio Scorza and Davide Rosio, who also founded 2D studio DogHead Animation which handle the animation of all Movimenti Production’s shows, and co-founded 3D production and international co-producer MoBo.
Comments Off on Hit Nordic Drama The Bridge to be Adapted by Endemol Shine India and Saif Ali Khan’s Black Knight Films
Endemol Shine India, a Banijay company, and Black Knight Films, have announced they will be adapting the hit Danish/Swedish scripted series, Bron/Broen (The Bridge). The all-new original Hindi edition will star Saif Ali Khan, who will also jointly produce the project under the Black Knight Films banner.
The concept of The Bridge has universal appeal, as it can be understood and appreciated by a global audience that is used to living in a world of borders. The show opens with a dead body discovered on a border that is shared by two countries – half the body lies in one and the other half in another. This discovery leads to a joint investigation by the police forces of the two regions, forcing detectives from both sides to work together to solve the crime.
A gem from the Banijay library, the unique global premise of The Bridge has led to its adaptation in multiple languages, set across the international borders of US/Mexico, UK/France, Germany/Austria, Singapore/Malaysia and Russia/Estonia.
“The Bridge’s script is powerful, as it speaks a language recognised and enjoyed by audiences sitting anywhere in the world. It is a global story that can be made distinctively local, using the basic premise of the series and we look forward to recreating the magic of this show to captivate the Indian audience.” said Rishi Negi, CEO Endemol Shine India.
“As an actor and producer, this is the one-of-a-kind opportunity that one waits for. It is a story that has been adapted the world over and loved by audiences, irrespective of their geographies, so yes, my team and I at Black Knight Films – Kunjal Punamiya (CEO/co-producer) and Pavan Kriplani (Creative Producer/co- producer) are super excited to be associated with this project and getting it rolling,” said Saif Ali Khan, actor and producer (Black Knight Films) of the series.
The Bridge is a present-day crime thriller exploring the tensions between two neighbouring countries, which has now been adapted in 7 territories. Originally created and written by Hans Rosenfeldt as a joint production of Sweden’s Filmlance International, part of Banijay, and Denmark’s Nimbus Film, The Bridge (Bron/Broen) was produced in co-production with Sveriges Television, DR, ZDF German Television network, ZDF Enterprises Gmbh, Film i Skåne, NRK, Copenhagen Film Fund, Lumiere Group, Stiftelsen Ystad Österlen Filmfond, with Norvision, and in co-operation with Malmö Stad. The original has aired in more than 188 countries.
Comments Off on Banijay Iberia and LaLiga Strike a Deal to Launch LaLiga Studios
Content powerhouse Banijay today announces Banijay Iberia and the football league, LaLiga, will join forces to launch LaLiga Studios, a new sports-related content production company led by Chalo Bonifacino Cooke.
The agreement sees Banijay Iberia utilise its production expertise and LaLiga, its knowledge and reputation, to establish LaLiga Studios, a global leader in the creation of sports-related content.
Through this partnership, LaLiga Studios will produce audiovisual content for LaLiga, clubs, sponsors, and broadcasters. It will also work with international platforms and brands in the development, production, and distribution of entertainment, documentary, fiction, and animation content. Chalo Bonifacino Cooke has been appointed Managing Director and Executive Producer of LaLiga Studios, and will oversee its international growth utilising the footprint of both companies.
Pilar Blasco, CEO of Banijay Iberia comments: “We are very proud to announce this partnership with LaLiga; a great generator of narratives around sport and its values. We are eager to use our experience in the production and creation of premium content to tell these stories, with the highest quality standards, so they become known all over the world.”
Óscar Mayo, Executive Director of LaLiga says: “We have ambitious plans for LaLiga Studios, including working with the best brands, so it was critical for us to have the perfect partner. Banijay Iberia’s track record of bringing premium quality viewing to the region, gives LaLiga Studios the best possible start.”
Banijay Iberia is behind some of the region’s most popular shows with flagship titles like MasterChef, Big Brother and Temptation Island, as well as true crime documentaries including Where is Marta? For Netflix. It also produces premium scripted titles for a range of platforms including Bosé, The Gypsy Bride, Heirs to the Land and Hierro, amongst others. Not to mention animation series, Virtual Hero.
The deal should become effective in the coming weeks.