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: Television

  1. Banijay Elevates Premium Scripted Offering in Italy with Grøenlandia Group

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    Banijay today confirms Italian premium scripted producer, Grøenlandia Group, will join its local holding – Banijay Italy. Led by film directors and producers, Matteo Rovere and Sydney Sibilia, the label has an outstanding reputation for films realised for cinema, television, streamers and also for the creation of TV series, and in joining the business, further cements its international expanding ambitions.

     

    Grøenlandia also encompasses Ascent Films, founded and managed by Andrea Paris, who will keep operating in the Group, in which it has had a majority stake since 2014. The latter is an award-winning producer of theatrical releases, short films and documentaries, which is focused on identifying and establishing new talent and unearthing stories yet to be told.

     

    Born in 2014, Grøenlandia was built on the mantra – ideas beyond borders – and since its inception, has been dedicated to creating quality content that can travel the world. In just a few years, it has already enjoyed success via a host of high-profile film titles including Romulus & Remus: The First King (Il Primo Re) by Matteo Rovere; Masterclass and Ad Honorem – the two sequels of the I Can Quit Whenever I Want (Smetto Quando Voglio) saga by Sydney Sibilia, also author of Rose Island (L’Incredibile Storia dell’Isola delle Rose); films directed by Simone Godano, Husband & Wife, An Almost Ordinary Summer, and Marilyn has black eyes; The Champion by Leonardo D’Agostini; The Beast, an elevated action movie directed by Ludovico Di Martino and, many others. The entity is also behind TV series Romulus, winner of the Nastro d’Argento 2021 award as best series and TV movie, Carosone, the biopic of the great musician Renato Carosone, directed by Lucio Pellegrini, as well as many other upcoming films and series.

     

    Matteo Rovere, Chief Executive Officer of Grøenlandia Group comments: “Grøenlandia continues its adventure by joining the Banijay group, a world giant of independent production and distribution with an Italian heart, both in the management and in the shareholding; characteristics that are fundamental for us in making a choice that I hope will give us new working tools and relationships with colleagues from many countries, who like us, try to do their best to reach audiences around the world. We want to give even more strength to our ideas, but also to maintain the objectives now established, including the discovery of young talent, the centrality of the theatre, linguistic innovation, inclusiveness and sustainable productions.”

     

    Paolo Bassetti, President and Country Manager of Banijay Italia Holding comments: “We feel privileged to be welcoming such a wealth of dynamic talent into the group via Grøenlandia, which truly shares our vision for independent, cross-border storymaking. With an exceptional track record and impressive slate in-play for 2022 alone, Matteo and Sydney, along with Ascent Films, bring huge value to our world-class creative hub here in Italy. Signalling our first move into film, this new partnership will rapidly expand our already diverse client base and broaden the horizons for us in the premium scripted market.”

     

    Marco Bassetti – Chief Executive Officer, Banijay comments: “Banijay has made no secret of its ambitions to increase its foothold in the premium scripted space and by welcoming Grøenlandia, we are making a significant move in widening our capacity to deliver high-end TV as well as feature-length films. Entrepreneurs, as well as directors and showrunners, Matteo and Sydney are strong leaders and we hope the group will provide an independent and supportive home for them free of any creative restraint, where they can deliver premium material that crosses clients, as well as borders.”

     

    Banijay Italy has already built a strong track record in the scripted field, with works realised both for Rai, such as A Professor (Un Professore); Lea – A New Day (Lea – Un Nuovo Giorno); The Bride (La Sposa), Hearts (Cuori), Ladies’ Paradise (Il Paradiso delle Signore), and for Mediaset: Light of my eyes (Luce dei miei occhi), Fosca Innocenti. For Amazon specifically, Banijay has produced Ferro, The Ferragnez and Laura Pausini – Pleased to Meet You.

     

    Dedicated to retaining IP, Grøenlandia already has 10 new titles in development for 2022 alone. The scripted deal is the latest for Banijay, which recently sealed a partnership with award-winning French producer, Alain Goldman via his production entities, Pitchipoï Productions and Montmartre Films (previously Légende Films).

  2. On the Edge Drama Anthology Championing Fresh New Talent Returns

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    On The Edge, Channel 4’s BAFTA nominated anthology of (3×30) short films is back for a second series. The films, produced by BlackLight Television, a Banijay Group company, and written and directed by the most exciting new talent in the UK, look at the lives of three diverse characters trying to find their place in the world.

     

    This year, the films focus on three unusual love stories depicting characters and worlds not often seen on British TV. With humour, truthfulness and warmth, the anthology asks: how do we navigate today’s complicated world? How do we share our inner challenges with the ones we love? And how do we form connections despite, or perhaps because of, our differences?

     

    The cast across the anthology include BAFTA winner Jack Rowan (Born to Kill, Peaky Blinders), BAFTA nominated Amanda Redman (New Tricks, The Good Karma Hospital), Michael Socha (This is England ’90, Electric Dreams), Catherine Steadman (Downton Abbey, Victoria), Rudi Dharmalingam (The Split, Dark Money), Andi Osho (Kiri, Curfew), Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street, In the Club) WhatsOnStage Award winner Jamael Westman (Hamilton) and introducing newcomers India Eva Rae and Juliet Okotie.

     

    On The Edge is developed though the 4Stories initiative, the channel’s commitment to finding brand new diverse talent.

     

    Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama at Channel 4, said: “It’s such a privilege to be able to give a voice to the very best new writing and directing talent in On The Edge, 4Stories. This year’s films have a thrilling, fresh perspective on modern Britain, and are told with heart, humour and utter fearlessness.”

     

    Philip Trethowan, Executive Producer for BlackLight Television, said: “We are delighted to be working with Channel 4 once again to introduce the best new writing and directing talent to the industry. Supporting such exciting and diverse emerging talent is something we are incredibly proud of and it is fantastic that Channel 4 provide the platform to make their voices heard.”

    About the films:

     

    Adulting

    Adulting is a moving story about a neuro-diverse girl and a lost boy. Candice (India Eva Rae) is a young vulnerable woman who desperately wants some independence and has moved into her own flat. Kems (Jack Rowan – Born to Kill) is a young man, down on his luck, sleeping on his mate Olly’s (Michael Socha – This is England ’90) sofa to get away from his alcoholic dad. A chance meeting between the two leads to an intimate friendship, but when Olly calls in a favour, Kems feels under pressure to take advantage of Candice. Have they all underestimated her?

     

    Written by Chinonyerem Odimba and directed by Ash Morris.

     

    For You

     

    For You is a funny and heartbreaking story about mental health. Rev (Rudi Dharmalingam – The Split) and girlfriend Alex (Catherine Steadman – Downton Abbey) are passionately in love but Rev suffers from anxiety and depression which he tries to control with therapy, medication and mindfulness. Things come to a head at Alex’s sister’s wedding weekend when Rev is confronted by her family’s prejudice. Will the pressure be too much to bear? Can Rev and Alex’s relationship survive? And will he ever be able to master a golf swing in front of his father in law? Also stars Amanda Redman (New Tricks) as Alex’s mother.

     

    Written by J C Servante and directed by Stroma Cairns.

     

    BBW

     

    BBW is a funny, vibrant and heartwarming coming of age tale about a young plus-size British Nigerian woman trying to find her voice. Everyone in Remi’s (Juliet Okotie) life thinks they know what she should do. Her father (Jude Akuwudike – Fortitude) wants her forgiveness, her mother (Andi Osho – Kiri) wants her to grow up and get a job, her friends (Paisley Billings – Tattoo Fixers and Rose-Marie Christian) think she’s too trusting of her new man (Jamael Westman – Hamilton). Remi just wants her life to begin but will she ever be able to take control?

     

    Written by Yolanda Mercy and directed by William Stefan Smith.