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.

Tag Archive: Simon Cox

  1. Banijay Rights Boards 72 Films’ Boris

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    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.

  2. Banijay Rights and Scenery Join Forces on Lara vs. Escobar

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    Banijay Rights today announces a partnership with Banijay Benelux joint venture Scenery on Lara vs. Escobar, a brand-new premium feature documentary that recounts the extraordinary reconciliation story behind Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar’s most famous assassination.

    From BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning director Mags Gavan, Lara vs. Escobar delves into the investigation of the 1984 Escobar-backed murder of Colombia’s Minister of Justice Rodrigo Lara – seen through the eyes of the politician’s son, Jorge Lara.

    Upon learning of his father’s death, Jorge was initially out for revenge. But a twist of fate led him to reconcile with his father’s murderer’s son – Juan Pablo Escobar – and discover they had more in common than they thought: united through childhoods that were ruined by the dark worlds of narcotics.

    Told in a double narrative weaving between past and present, this premium film combines a story of compassion and hope between the two men’s sons as they strive to change the legacies they were dealt as children, while following Jorge’s mission to close the case of his father’s assassination.

    Lara vs. Escobar is produced by Scenery, a joint venture with Banijay Benelux, and is distributed globally by Banijay Rights. The feature will be presented to buyers at MIPCOM in Cannes next week.

    Simon Cox, EVP Content Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, said: “Our expansion into the premium feature documentary space is led by this extraordinary modern-day story as told by Scenery and amazing director Mags Gavan – and with no hesitation we decided to take this gripping project to market. Escobar vs. Lara is a reconciliation tale like no other, bringing two of the unlikeliest of friends together to find common ground, with a plot as powerful of some of the world’s best dramas. We’re excited to present this project to our potential partners at MIPCOM next week.”

     Mags Gavan, Director, Lara vs. Escobar, said: “This film was a passion project which I knew I had to make. I dedicated over a decade to getting access to this important story. I started the most inspiring journey which also took me through the worst tragedy whilst developing this film. It’s going to take the audience on the same emotional rollercoaster but hopefully leave them in better, more hopeful place”.

    Lea Fels, Partner at Scenery, said: “The combination of this special project, the collaboration with Mags Gavan and this unique story that we want to bring to a worldwide audience, fits seamlessly with Scenery’s portfolio. We are therefore very proud that Mags entrusted us to start this project with her.”

    Lara vs. Escobar comes on the heels of Scenery and Banijay UK-owned Workerbee’s six-part Netflix docu-series, Human Playground, which launched in 193 territories last month. Narrated by Idris Elba, the high-end docu-series focuses on the origin and evolution of exceptional sports around the world.

    At MIPCOM, Banijay will unveil an impressive range of titles for its autumn slate including format highlights Starstruck, Blow Up, Love Triangle, Le Plus Grand Karaoké de France and MasterChef: Young Talent and Banijay Rights-fronted premium scripted titles: Marie Antoinette, Rogue Heroes, Bali 2002, Serial Lover, and third-party dramas Stonehouse and Riches. These break-out autumn highlights complement the 130,000 hours of globally renowned, stand-out IP within Banijay’s expansive travelling catalogue.

     Visit us at C.20 in front of the steps of the Palais des Festivals.

  3. Banijay Rights Reunites with Stonehouse and The Dig team for Runners

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    Banijay Rights today announces its partnership on Runners, a new returning drama series about the world’s first police force from the team behind Stonehouse and The Dig.

    Writer John Preston and Executive Producer Ellie Wood of Clearwood Films are once again joining forces for the multi-part drama that chronicles the creation of The Bow Street Runners at one of the most pivotal points in British history, with Banijay Rights on board to distribute globally.

    In the late 1740s, London was the most rapidly expanding city in Europe and engulfed by a colossal crime wave. With the city sliding ever closer to anarchy, author Henry Fielding, then Chief Magistrate of London, did something no one had previously dared to do before: he founded the world’s first-ever police force, The Bow Street Runners.

    This extraordinary story will tell of how a group of just six police officers, none with any training or experience, set about imposing law and order on a completely lawless society and embarked on solving one of the strangest cases of its time – one with momentous political and social ramifications.

    John Preston, Writer and Executive Producer, said: “The founding of the first ever police force is one of the most astonishing stories I have ever come across. The idea that a band of six people could take on the might of London’s underworld is so rich and dramatic that it often beggars belief. But it just goes to show that history is often made by people doing extraordinary things in the face of what appear to be insurmountable odds.”

     

    Ellie Wood, Executive Producer, said: “It is thrilling to be working with John Preston again on this phenomenal real-life story. This show is deeply researched, packed full of character, humour and written in John’s inimitable tone. The fact that the philandering novelist who wrote Tom Jones also created the world’s first police force is just one of many surprises in this fascinating drama.”


    Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions at Banijay Rights, said:     “Runners is lined up to be a terrific tale – set at the moment where organised law and order were introduced to Britain for the very first time, a juxtaposition of cultural change that would set the country to a new order for centuries to come. To work again with John and Ellie on a project of this stature is exciting and we’re in no doubt the story of The Bow Street Runners’ early years will be a gripping one for global audiences to enjoy.”

     

    This is the third collaboration between Preston and Wood. Wood produced Preston’s novel, The Dig, which was adapted into a major feature film in 2021 for Netflix. Starring Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan, it received multiple BAFTA nominations. Wood has also produced Preston’s forthcoming screenwriting debut, the ITV/BritBox International TV drama Stonehouse, which tells the remarkable story of the disgraced Labour politician and stars Matthew Macfayden as Stonehouse and Keeley Hawes as Stonehouse’s wife Barbara. Banijay Rights handles global distribution for the series.

    Preston, former Arts Editor for the Sunday Telegraph and London Evening Standard, is author of a number of acclaimed books. A Very English Scandal, the story of the political scandal involving Jeremy Thorpe, was adapted into the BAFTA award-winning TV drama in 2018, starring Hugh Grant and Ben Wishaw and directed by Stephen Frears. His latest work, Fall: The Mystery of Robert Maxwell, won the 2021 Costa Prize for best biography of the year.

    Wood previously worked on a number of award-winning dramas at the BBC, including Bleak House and The Line of Beauty, and later as executive producer at Clerkenwell Films and Tiger Aspect Productions. In 2019, she signed a first look development deal with Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay.

  4. Banijay Rights Courts Romeo & Duet

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    Banijay Rights today announces it has acquired global distribution rights to singing dating show format Romeo & Duet – ahead of its UK premiere at 7pm (GMT) on ITV and ITV Hub this Saturday, 16th April.

    Created and produced by Goat Films, Romeo & Duet gives its contestants just one ‘sing’ to entice a singleton down from the balcony, and only then will the two come face-to-face for the first time.

    The newly formed couple will then head off on a duet-date to learn a duet, before returning later in the show to perform the song in the ultimate romantic love battle; a singing competition against the other couples to be crowned the winners.

    Launching on ITV and ITV Hub this week, the primetime show is presented by Oti Mabuse (The Masked Dancer, Dancing on Ice). Banijay Rights holds international distribution rights to the series – for both format and tape sales.

    Simon Cox, EVP Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, said: “Romeo & Duet is a heart-warming extravaganza that fuses dating and music in a way that hasn’t been seen before on the small screen. Mel Crawford and the team at Goat Films have delivered an amazing spectacle and Banijay Rights is looking forward to taking this show to a whole new viewership worldwide.”

     Mel Crawford, Founder of Goat Films, added: “I’m delighted to be working in partnership with Banijay on the worldwide rollout of this wonderful, joyous format.  Since our first conversations about Romeo & Duet, Banijay have been great champions of the show and I know they will help us make this a global hit. Here at Goat, we are incredibly proud of what we’ve delivered to ITV and can’t wait for UK audiences to see it on screen for the first time on 16th April.”

     Romeo & Duet is Executive Produced by Mel Crawford with Series Editor Christian Fletcher. Romeo & Duet was developed from an original idea created by Ivor and David Baddiel. It was commissioned by ITV’s Joe Mace, Commissioning Editor Entertainment, and Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning.

  5. Banijay Rights Assembles Landmark China Deal For LEGO® Masters

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    Banijay Rights today announces a new adaptation for competition reality format LEGO Masters, with China the latest country onboard.

     

    Chinese production company Long Qing Media has been commissioned to produce a first run of the show for Shenzhen TV, in a deal brokered by Huo Yuan Media (The Content Connected).

     

    Production is currently underway for the hit entertainment format, which sees pairs compete against each other to wow judges with awesome inspiring designs and brick builds.

     

    LEGO Masters is a firm hit globally, with this commission following recent orders from TVNZ 2 in New Zealand, Atresmedia in Spain and TV 2 in Norway.

     

    Successful productions broadcasting so far this year include the US, which is currently on air, and proving a major success for FOX as the #1 show among younger viewers (P18-34) and teens, and its second-most streamed entertainment series. The series three finale of LEGO Masters Australia in April dominated the ratings, broadcasting as the number one show of the day in all key demos. The format also had a spectacular debut run in Denmark in April, pulling in a 50.6% share for 15–34-year-olds across the season.

     

    Originally created by Tuesday’s Child Television and the LEGO Group, Banijay globally distributes the format and finished tape for the show.

     

    Simon Cox, SVP Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, said: “Taking proven hit LEGO Masters to a market like China marks a milestone moment for this incredibly warm, creative and joyful competition show that continues to build global momentum. We know this program will resonate strongly with a Chinese audience and we’re incredibly excited to work with our partners Shenzhen TV, Long Qing Media, Huo Yuan Media and the LEGO Group to make this happen.”

     

    Tony Zhang, Executive Producer, Vice President, Long Qing Media, said: “We are thrilled to produce this show. The LEGO Brand has a huge fan base in the Chinese market and all our teams are big LEGO fans. We want to bring this creativity, enthusiasm, and positive spirit experiences together to audiences.”

     

    William Tan, Senior Adviser, Huo Yuan Media (The Content Connected), added: “Our goal is to further bridge content between the Chinese and global markets. We found LEGO Masters, a global hit with all the right touch points to succeed in China.  Connecting the right content with the right partner in China is what we do best.”

     

    Jill Wilfert, Head of Global Entertainment, The LEGO Group, added: “We are thrilled to be bringing LEGO Masters to China, along with our partners at Banijay Rights. We hope that families and fans in China will be inspired by the unlimited creativity and endless possibilities of the LEGO brick.”

    LEGO Masters has now been adapted for 15 international broadcasters across Europe, the US, Australia and Asia, with the reinvention of the iconic toy into a reality competition series providing upbeat, inclusive viewing.