French public broadcaster France Televisions has commissioned a raft of new scripted shows, including “Lucky Luke,” an adaptation of the cult graphic novel, and “Rallye 82,” a 1982-set female-led racing show.
“Lucky Luke” is an adventure comedy directed by Benjamin Rocher and penned by Mathieu Leblanc and Thomas Mansuy, based on the “Lucky Luke” comicbook. The eight-part half-hour series is produced by Geraldine Gendre and Lionel Uzan at Federation Studios, and co-produced by Rémi Préchac and Julien Vallespi at Un pour tous productions, and Alban Lenoir at Homerun. Lenoir, the French star of Netflix’s action thriller series “Lost Bullet,” will play Lucky Luke.
“Rallye 82,” directed by Julien Lacombe (“Missions”), takes place during the racing championship in 1982, where Michele Mouton, the only female pilot, beats the odds and wins the race. The script was penned by Lacombe and Haiga Jappain. Producers are Raphael Rocher and Eric Laroche at Empreinte Digitale.
The...
“Lucky Luke” is an adventure comedy directed by Benjamin Rocher and penned by Mathieu Leblanc and Thomas Mansuy, based on the “Lucky Luke” comicbook. The eight-part half-hour series is produced by Geraldine Gendre and Lionel Uzan at Federation Studios, and co-produced by Rémi Préchac and Julien Vallespi at Un pour tous productions, and Alban Lenoir at Homerun. Lenoir, the French star of Netflix’s action thriller series “Lost Bullet,” will play Lucky Luke.
“Rallye 82,” directed by Julien Lacombe (“Missions”), takes place during the racing championship in 1982, where Michele Mouton, the only female pilot, beats the odds and wins the race. The script was penned by Lacombe and Haiga Jappain. Producers are Raphael Rocher and Eric Laroche at Empreinte Digitale.
The...
- 3/21/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Ginger & Fed, the new international film sales arm of Federation Studios headed by former TF1 Studio boss Sabine Chemaly, will launch several high profile titles at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous, including “The Future Awaits,” Niels Tavernier’s WWII-set drama based on the true story of a Holocaust survivor. Ginger & Fed will also bow sales on “Riviera Revenge,” a heartwarming comedy starring André Dussollier (“The Crime is Mine”), Sabine Azéma (“Tanguy”) and Thierry Lhermitte (“The Dinner Game”), along with continuing deals on “Rachel’s Game,” “Survive” and “Oldies and Goodies.”
Produced by Yves Darondeau at Bonne Pioche Cinema (“March of the Penguins”), “The Future Awaits” tells the story of Tauba Birenbaum, whose testimony was collected in July 1997 to become part of Steven Spielberg’s Institute for Visual History. The film opens in July 1942, during the Vel’ d’Hiv’ Roundup of Jewish families in Paris. 13-year-old Tauba and her parents, who are Polish Jews,...
Produced by Yves Darondeau at Bonne Pioche Cinema (“March of the Penguins”), “The Future Awaits” tells the story of Tauba Birenbaum, whose testimony was collected in July 1997 to become part of Steven Spielberg’s Institute for Visual History. The film opens in July 1942, during the Vel’ d’Hiv’ Roundup of Jewish families in Paris. 13-year-old Tauba and her parents, who are Polish Jews,...
- 1/15/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Pascal Breton’s Federation Studios has launched an international theatrical sales label, Ginger & Fed, teaming up with former TF1 Studio sales executive Sabine Chemaly’s Ginger Films on the new division.
Chemaly will head up the new group, handling both film acquisitions and international sales, focusing on titles with theatrical potential in various international territories. She will work together with Federation’s sales team of Monica Levy, Guillaume Pommier, Sarah Zarka, Lucile Avezard and Jeromine Ader, as well as the company’s business affairs, servicing and marketing teams.
The first project under the new label will be Survive, a post-apocalyptic thriller from Monkey Pack, the Federation Studios-owned producers of Coralie Fargeat’s 2017 action horror hit Revenge. Frédéric Jardin is directing with Émilie Dequenne (Love Affair(s)) and Andreas Pietschmann (Dark) starring as a couple celebrating their son’s birthday on their boat in the middle of the ocean. But when...
Chemaly will head up the new group, handling both film acquisitions and international sales, focusing on titles with theatrical potential in various international territories. She will work together with Federation’s sales team of Monica Levy, Guillaume Pommier, Sarah Zarka, Lucile Avezard and Jeromine Ader, as well as the company’s business affairs, servicing and marketing teams.
The first project under the new label will be Survive, a post-apocalyptic thriller from Monkey Pack, the Federation Studios-owned producers of Coralie Fargeat’s 2017 action horror hit Revenge. Frédéric Jardin is directing with Émilie Dequenne (Love Affair(s)) and Andreas Pietschmann (Dark) starring as a couple celebrating their son’s birthday on their boat in the middle of the ocean. But when...
- 10/26/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Federation Studios has launched an international theatrical film sales division with Sabine Chemaly.
The label will be called Ginger & Fed and is created in partnership with Chemaly’s recently-formed Ginger Films.
In charge of both film acquisitions and international sales, Chemaly will spearhead Ginger & Fed, whilst working closely with Federation’s sales team – Monica Levy, Guillaume Pommier, Sarah Zarka, Lucile Avezard and Jeromine Ader – along with their business affairs, servicing and marketing team.
Ginger & Fed’s first project will be post-apocalyptic thriller Survive from Federation outfit Robin & Co and M.E.S. Productions. The film, featuring Émilie Dequenne (Love Affair(s), Rosetta) and Andreas Pietschmann (Dark), is directed by Frédéric Jardin and Kmbo will release it theatrically in France. Sales are being co-handled with WTFilms. Two comedies, both released in France by Apollo, will quickly follow the inaugural launch: Rachel’s Game, a police project directed by Thierry Klifa, and Oldies but...
The label will be called Ginger & Fed and is created in partnership with Chemaly’s recently-formed Ginger Films.
In charge of both film acquisitions and international sales, Chemaly will spearhead Ginger & Fed, whilst working closely with Federation’s sales team – Monica Levy, Guillaume Pommier, Sarah Zarka, Lucile Avezard and Jeromine Ader – along with their business affairs, servicing and marketing team.
Ginger & Fed’s first project will be post-apocalyptic thriller Survive from Federation outfit Robin & Co and M.E.S. Productions. The film, featuring Émilie Dequenne (Love Affair(s), Rosetta) and Andreas Pietschmann (Dark), is directed by Frédéric Jardin and Kmbo will release it theatrically in France. Sales are being co-handled with WTFilms. Two comedies, both released in France by Apollo, will quickly follow the inaugural launch: Rachel’s Game, a police project directed by Thierry Klifa, and Oldies but...
- 10/26/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
First slate to include Rachel’s Game, Oldies But Goodies, Survive.
Powerhouse Paris-based media group Federation Studios has joined forces with veteran sales executive Sabine Chemaly to launch international film sales company Ginger & Fed.
The new venture, a partnership between Federation and Chemaly’s Ginger Films, will take on acquisitions and international sales for both in-house and third party films.
The feature-focused foray is an extension of Federation’s existing distribution of fiction, documentary and children’s programming and presence in production via global companies like Bonne Pioche, Cheyenne and Monkey Pack (Robin & Co) in France, Vertigo in the UK,...
Powerhouse Paris-based media group Federation Studios has joined forces with veteran sales executive Sabine Chemaly to launch international film sales company Ginger & Fed.
The new venture, a partnership between Federation and Chemaly’s Ginger Films, will take on acquisitions and international sales for both in-house and third party films.
The feature-focused foray is an extension of Federation’s existing distribution of fiction, documentary and children’s programming and presence in production via global companies like Bonne Pioche, Cheyenne and Monkey Pack (Robin & Co) in France, Vertigo in the UK,...
- 10/26/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Exec’s credits at ITV Studios owned Italian production company include ’ZeroZeroZero’, ’Gomorrah’ and ’Django.’
Marco Chimenz, the co-ceo of leading Italian producer Cattleya, is to join French group Federation Studios as co-managing director.
At Federation, Chimenz will work with founder and CEO Pascal Breton alongside co-managing director Lionel Uzan.
Chimenz will be joined at Federation by Joshua Berman, currently head of business and legal affairs at Cattleya, as international business affairs advisor. Both join on January 1, 2024.
One of Chimenz’s key focuses at Federation will be in setting up international co-productions.
Founded in 2013, production, financing and distribution group Federation has bases in Paris,...
Marco Chimenz, the co-ceo of leading Italian producer Cattleya, is to join French group Federation Studios as co-managing director.
At Federation, Chimenz will work with founder and CEO Pascal Breton alongside co-managing director Lionel Uzan.
Chimenz will be joined at Federation by Joshua Berman, currently head of business and legal affairs at Cattleya, as international business affairs advisor. Both join on January 1, 2024.
One of Chimenz’s key focuses at Federation will be in setting up international co-productions.
Founded in 2013, production, financing and distribution group Federation has bases in Paris,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Marco Chimenz, Co-CEO of Italy’s Cattleya the prominent ITV-owned outfit behind “Gomorrah” and “ZeroZeroZero,” will be leaving the company in January to join pan-European powerhouse Federation Studios.
At Federation Chimenz will serve as group co-managing director of the expanding production and distribution studio that currently comprises 35 production companies, working closely with founder and CEO Pascal Breton and Federation co-director Lionel Uzan.
Founded in 2013, Federation is a production, financing and distribution studio with subsidiaries and associate production companies based in Paris, Los Angeles, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Cologne, London, Brussels and Tel Aviv. The group’s best-known titles include “The Bureau,” “In Treatment,” “Baby,” “Hostages,” “Marseille,” “Bad Banks,” “Your Honor,” and “Around the World in 80 Days.”
Chimenz will continue to work with Cattleya’s Spanish affiliate on several productions until 2025. He will also continue to operate with longtime collaborator Joshua Berman, who is currently head of business affairs at Cattleya.
At Federation Chimenz will serve as group co-managing director of the expanding production and distribution studio that currently comprises 35 production companies, working closely with founder and CEO Pascal Breton and Federation co-director Lionel Uzan.
Founded in 2013, Federation is a production, financing and distribution studio with subsidiaries and associate production companies based in Paris, Los Angeles, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Cologne, London, Brussels and Tel Aviv. The group’s best-known titles include “The Bureau,” “In Treatment,” “Baby,” “Hostages,” “Marseille,” “Bad Banks,” “Your Honor,” and “Around the World in 80 Days.”
Chimenz will continue to work with Cattleya’s Spanish affiliate on several productions until 2025. He will also continue to operate with longtime collaborator Joshua Berman, who is currently head of business affairs at Cattleya.
- 10/4/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Anne de Galard and Eric Garnet’s Paris-based animation company, Go-n Productions, has been acquired by Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan’s fast-growing Federation Studios (formerly known as Federation Entertainment).
Established in 2004, Go-n’s credits include such series as Simon Super Rabbit, Lou!, Zip Zip and Tootuff. The company is hot off being named Producer of the Year at the recent edition of Cartoon Forum.
By joining Federation, Go-n becomes part of a group of 35 production companies in France and around the world, including Vertigo Films, Bonne Pioche and Cottonwood Media. The companies benefit from Federation’s extensive global reach thanks to its in-house sales and distribution operations. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Go-n brings to children’s division, Federation Kids & Family, 11 series totaling 250 half-hours of animation. The enhanced Kids & Family catalogue now includes over 730 half-hours of animation and live-action programming.
Garnet and De Galard, commented,...
Established in 2004, Go-n’s credits include such series as Simon Super Rabbit, Lou!, Zip Zip and Tootuff. The company is hot off being named Producer of the Year at the recent edition of Cartoon Forum.
By joining Federation, Go-n becomes part of a group of 35 production companies in France and around the world, including Vertigo Films, Bonne Pioche and Cottonwood Media. The companies benefit from Federation’s extensive global reach thanks to its in-house sales and distribution operations. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Go-n brings to children’s division, Federation Kids & Family, 11 series totaling 250 half-hours of animation. The enhanced Kids & Family catalogue now includes over 730 half-hours of animation and live-action programming.
Garnet and De Galard, commented,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline 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
Welcome to Deadline’s International Disruptors, a feature where we shine a spotlight on key executives and companies outside of the U.S. shaking up the offshore marketplace. This week, we’re talking to UK indie veteran Vertigo Films, producer of hit TV shows Britannia, Bulletproof and James Corden and Sally Hawkins starrer Mammals and feature films Monsters, Bronson and Streetdance 3D. Last year, Federation Entertainment acquired a majority stake in the company and we talk about that deal, Vertigo’s pivot from UK indie film to television and why they’re turning their heads back to the indie film space again.
James Richardson and Allan Niblo remember the exact moment they decided to make the jump from the indie film space into the television sphere. It was at the 2014 American Film Market – one of their busiest markets – when the Vertigo Films co-founders walked into the Loews in Santa Monica...
James Richardson and Allan Niblo remember the exact moment they decided to make the jump from the indie film space into the television sphere. It was at the 2014 American Film Market – one of their busiest markets – when the Vertigo Films co-founders walked into the Loews in Santa Monica...
- 5/11/2023
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Tenure starts January 30.
Rosalie Cimino has been named managing director and producer of Anonymous/Federation, the Paris-based joint venture between US management and production house Anonymous Content and rapidly expanding European independent studio Federation Studios.
Cimino is a former talent agent and partner at Ubba since 2010 after eight years at Intertalent alongside top French agent François Samuelson. She has managed the careers of several turned global stars including Matthias Schoenaerts, Mélanie Thierry, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Albert Dupontel, Alexandra Lamy, Anouk Grinberg, Nadine Labaki and Veerle Baetens.
Cimino is currently working on the follow-up to Baetens’ feature directorial debut When It Melts,...
Rosalie Cimino has been named managing director and producer of Anonymous/Federation, the Paris-based joint venture between US management and production house Anonymous Content and rapidly expanding European independent studio Federation Studios.
Cimino is a former talent agent and partner at Ubba since 2010 after eight years at Intertalent alongside top French agent François Samuelson. She has managed the careers of several turned global stars including Matthias Schoenaerts, Mélanie Thierry, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Albert Dupontel, Alexandra Lamy, Anouk Grinberg, Nadine Labaki and Veerle Baetens.
Cimino is currently working on the follow-up to Baetens’ feature directorial debut When It Melts,...
- 1/19/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Rosalie Cimino, a talent agent and partner with French agency Ubba, has been named the new managing director at Anonymous Federation, the recently-launched production joint venture owned by Anonymous Content and Federation Studios.
Cimino will take over in her new role Jan. 30, running Anonymous Federation alongside Federation’s Pascal Breton, Lionel Uzan and Patrick Wachsberger and Anonymous’ Dawn Olmstead, David Levine and David Davoli.
True Detective and Mr. Robot producer Anonymous launched the new Paris-based group with Federation, whose productions include French series The Bureau, German drama Bad Banks and pan-European limited series Around The World In 80 Days, late last year. It’s the latest international expansion for Anonymous, which already has production outlets in the U.K. (Chapter One), Scandinavia (AC Nordic) and South America (AC Brazil).
As an agent, Cimino has managed the careers of such European stars as Matthias Schoenaerts (The Swimmer), Veerle Baetens (The Broken...
Cimino will take over in her new role Jan. 30, running Anonymous Federation alongside Federation’s Pascal Breton, Lionel Uzan and Patrick Wachsberger and Anonymous’ Dawn Olmstead, David Levine and David Davoli.
True Detective and Mr. Robot producer Anonymous launched the new Paris-based group with Federation, whose productions include French series The Bureau, German drama Bad Banks and pan-European limited series Around The World In 80 Days, late last year. It’s the latest international expansion for Anonymous, which already has production outlets in the U.K. (Chapter One), Scandinavia (AC Nordic) and South America (AC Brazil).
As an agent, Cimino has managed the careers of such European stars as Matthias Schoenaerts (The Swimmer), Veerle Baetens (The Broken...
- 1/19/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Anonymous Content and Federation Studios have appointed Ubba agent Rosalie Cimino as MD and producer for Anonymous Federation, their French joint venture.
She will lead the Jv alongside Pascal Breton, Lionel Uzan and Patrick Wachsberger on behalf of Federation, and Dawn Olmstead, David Levine and David Davoli on behalf of Anonymous Content.
Ciminio begins her new role effective January 30. Among projects already underway, she is working on Veerle Baetens’s new film. The actress and director’s first movie, When It Melts, is currently in competition at Sundance in the World Drama category.
Cimino was a talent agent and partner at French talent agency Ubba since 2010 and before that spent eight years at agency Intertalent. She has repped or worked closely with talent including Matthias Schoenaerts, Mélanie Thierry, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Albert Dupontel, François-Xavier Demaison, Alexandra Lamy, Jérémie Guez, Coralie Fargeat, Anouk Grinberg, Nadine Labaki, Veerle Baetens, Hervé Hadmar,...
She will lead the Jv alongside Pascal Breton, Lionel Uzan and Patrick Wachsberger on behalf of Federation, and Dawn Olmstead, David Levine and David Davoli on behalf of Anonymous Content.
Ciminio begins her new role effective January 30. Among projects already underway, she is working on Veerle Baetens’s new film. The actress and director’s first movie, When It Melts, is currently in competition at Sundance in the World Drama category.
Cimino was a talent agent and partner at French talent agency Ubba since 2010 and before that spent eight years at agency Intertalent. She has repped or worked closely with talent including Matthias Schoenaerts, Mélanie Thierry, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Albert Dupontel, François-Xavier Demaison, Alexandra Lamy, Jérémie Guez, Coralie Fargeat, Anouk Grinberg, Nadine Labaki, Veerle Baetens, Hervé Hadmar,...
- 1/19/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
French powerhouse Federation Studios and its Empreinte Digitale are launching Federation Meac, a production subsidiary devoted to the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean. Co-founding chairman Joachim Landau, who has produced documentaries, unscripted programs and series with Empreinte Digitale, will lead the new outfit.
Federation Meac’s stated purpose is to work with and connect talent from the regions, both locally and internationally, via productions and co-productions.
Lionel Uzan, managing director of Federation Studios, and Raphaël Rocher, managing director of Empreinte Digitale, will be on the board alongside Landau.
“The audiovisual market in the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean is expanding fast, with a plethora of excellent writers, directors, actors and producers,” says Landau. “Their inventiveness and energy reflect those of Federation so much so that we just had to be present in these markets. We aim to help them grow internationally and to create synergies with our group,...
Federation Meac’s stated purpose is to work with and connect talent from the regions, both locally and internationally, via productions and co-productions.
Lionel Uzan, managing director of Federation Studios, and Raphaël Rocher, managing director of Empreinte Digitale, will be on the board alongside Landau.
“The audiovisual market in the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean is expanding fast, with a plethora of excellent writers, directors, actors and producers,” says Landau. “Their inventiveness and energy reflect those of Federation so much so that we just had to be present in these markets. We aim to help them grow internationally and to create synergies with our group,...
- 11/8/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Picture Perfect Federation and Zurich Avenue have teamed to acquire Jeneva Rose’s bestselling psychological thriller debut novel The Perfect Marriage. The film will be directed by Sigal Avin (Losing Alice), and the script is by Oscar-nominated scribe William Broyles (Apollo 13 and Cast Away).
The film will be produced by Patrick Wachsberger, who’s coming off Best Picture for Coda, and Ashley Stern for Picture Perfect Federation. Zurich Avenue’s Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani are exec producing alongside Broyles and Lenore Entertainment Group’s Adam Berkowitz, Avin’s manager. Olivia Wachsberger is co-executive producer.
Sarah Morgan is a successful defense attorney whose life gets flipped upside down when her husband is accused of murdering his mistress. She decides to take her husband’s case and at trial, the couple is pulled into a twisted game of cat and mouse as they re-examine their relationship while dealing with life-changing consequences.
The film will be produced by Patrick Wachsberger, who’s coming off Best Picture for Coda, and Ashley Stern for Picture Perfect Federation. Zurich Avenue’s Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani are exec producing alongside Broyles and Lenore Entertainment Group’s Adam Berkowitz, Avin’s manager. Olivia Wachsberger is co-executive producer.
Sarah Morgan is a successful defense attorney whose life gets flipped upside down when her husband is accused of murdering his mistress. She decides to take her husband’s case and at trial, the couple is pulled into a twisted game of cat and mouse as they re-examine their relationship while dealing with life-changing consequences.
- 10/20/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
International studio Federation (The Bureau, Around the World in 80 Days) has struck a deal to acquire a majority stake in London-based British film and television production company Vertigo Films (Britannia, Bulletproof, The Sweeney, Monsters).
Financial and other terms weren’t disclosed.
“The deal underlines both Vertigo Films’ and Federation’s ambitions to expand their offering of premium content to the global market and marks the continued expansion of the independent European studio, as it increases its investment in acclaimed production labels and creative talent,” the companies said.
“The acquisition follows an exceptionally busy year for Vertigo, which is currently in post-production on new comedy-drama series Mammals, by Jez Butterworth, starring James Corden and Sally Hawkins for Amazon, forthcoming ’80s set gangster epic A Town Called Malice by Nick Love for Sky Max, and has just wrapped principal photography on a new star-studded film for Sky Cinema,...
International studio Federation (The Bureau, Around the World in 80 Days) has struck a deal to acquire a majority stake in London-based British film and television production company Vertigo Films (Britannia, Bulletproof, The Sweeney, Monsters).
Financial and other terms weren’t disclosed.
“The deal underlines both Vertigo Films’ and Federation’s ambitions to expand their offering of premium content to the global market and marks the continued expansion of the independent European studio, as it increases its investment in acclaimed production labels and creative talent,” the companies said.
“The acquisition follows an exceptionally busy year for Vertigo, which is currently in post-production on new comedy-drama series Mammals, by Jez Butterworth, starring James Corden and Sally Hawkins for Amazon, forthcoming ’80s set gangster epic A Town Called Malice by Nick Love for Sky Max, and has just wrapped principal photography on a new star-studded film for Sky Cinema,...
- 9/7/2022
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Federation is a France-based production and distribution company.
France-based production and distribution company Federation Entertainment has acquired a majority stake in UK-based independent production outfit Vertigo Films.
Vertigo Films will continue to operate as a separate entity, specialising in development, production, marketing and financing of film and TV projects, with Federation bringing its expertise in international co-productions, and handling international sales where appropriate.
The deal is the first UK acquisition for the Federation group, which was founded in 2013 and now has around 20 subsidiaries or associate production companies around the world. The group’s credits include French-language series’ The Bureau, Marseilles...
France-based production and distribution company Federation Entertainment has acquired a majority stake in UK-based independent production outfit Vertigo Films.
Vertigo Films will continue to operate as a separate entity, specialising in development, production, marketing and financing of film and TV projects, with Federation bringing its expertise in international co-productions, and handling international sales where appropriate.
The deal is the first UK acquisition for the Federation group, which was founded in 2013 and now has around 20 subsidiaries or associate production companies around the world. The group’s credits include French-language series’ The Bureau, Marseilles...
- 9/7/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Federation is a France-based production and distribution company.
France-based production and distribution company Federation Entertainment has acquired a majority stake in UK-based independent production outfit Vertigo Films.
Vertigo Films will continue to operate as a separate entity, specialising in development, production, marketing and financing of film and TV projects, with Federation bringing its expertise in international co-productions, and handling international sales where appropriate.
The deal is the first UK acquisition for the Federation group, which was founded in 2013 and now has around 20 subsidiaries or associate production companies around the world. The group’s credits include French-language series’ The Bureau, Marseilles...
France-based production and distribution company Federation Entertainment has acquired a majority stake in UK-based independent production outfit Vertigo Films.
Vertigo Films will continue to operate as a separate entity, specialising in development, production, marketing and financing of film and TV projects, with Federation bringing its expertise in international co-productions, and handling international sales where appropriate.
The deal is the first UK acquisition for the Federation group, which was founded in 2013 and now has around 20 subsidiaries or associate production companies around the world. The group’s credits include French-language series’ The Bureau, Marseilles...
- 9/7/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Federation Entertainment has hit the M&a trail once again by taking a majority stake in Britannia, Bronson and Bulletproof producer Vertigo Films, its first British acquisition.
The French Bureau and Around the World in 80 Days powerhouse has had a highly acquisitive year and the move comes almost exactly 12 months after Federation set up a UK production company helmed by two former eOne execs.
Launched 20 years ago, James Richardson and Allan Niblo’s Vertigo has been behind the likes of hit features Monster and Bronson. It moved into TV when CEO Jane Moore joined in 2014 and achieved success with Sky double Britannia and Bulletproof, although the latter was cancelled last year following the allegations made by 20 women against lead Noel Clarke, which he denies.
Vertigo is now working on Amazon Prime Video’s Jez Butterworth-penned Mammals starring James Corden and Sally Hawkins, 80s gangster epic A Town Called Malice and a yet-to-be-announced Sky Cinema film.
The French Bureau and Around the World in 80 Days powerhouse has had a highly acquisitive year and the move comes almost exactly 12 months after Federation set up a UK production company helmed by two former eOne execs.
Launched 20 years ago, James Richardson and Allan Niblo’s Vertigo has been behind the likes of hit features Monster and Bronson. It moved into TV when CEO Jane Moore joined in 2014 and achieved success with Sky double Britannia and Bulletproof, although the latter was cancelled last year following the allegations made by 20 women against lead Noel Clarke, which he denies.
Vertigo is now working on Amazon Prime Video’s Jez Butterworth-penned Mammals starring James Corden and Sally Hawkins, 80s gangster epic A Town Called Malice and a yet-to-be-announced Sky Cinema film.
- 9/7/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Fledgling Federation Entertainment-backed German label Glisk has struck its first major talent deal, signing German author Ivar Leon Menger and setting its first three projects, Deadline can reveal.
Glisk will create TV versions of two of Menger’s audiobooks – Ghostbox and Monster 1983 – along with a film adaptation of debut novel When The Strangers Came, which recently sold as a six-figure two-book deal in a 10-way auction and will be published later this year in multiple languages.
The novel is set in the deep forests of Northland in a lakeside cabin on a small island, where 15-year-old Juno has lived in complete isolation with her family since early childhood, living in constant fear of ‘Strangers’ who want to take revenge on her father for testifying against one of them many years ago.
Meanwhile, Ghostbox is a mystery trilogy that tells the story of Lena Gruenwald, a young Berlin journalist who...
Glisk will create TV versions of two of Menger’s audiobooks – Ghostbox and Monster 1983 – along with a film adaptation of debut novel When The Strangers Came, which recently sold as a six-figure two-book deal in a 10-way auction and will be published later this year in multiple languages.
The novel is set in the deep forests of Northland in a lakeside cabin on a small island, where 15-year-old Juno has lived in complete isolation with her family since early childhood, living in constant fear of ‘Strangers’ who want to take revenge on her father for testifying against one of them many years ago.
Meanwhile, Ghostbox is a mystery trilogy that tells the story of Lena Gruenwald, a young Berlin journalist who...
- 5/4/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
“Is bigger generally better?” was one of the hot button topics being debated at a Series Mania panel on Wednesday and the answer in general was there is always room for growth in a rapidly expanding market, albeit with some caveats.
Weighing in on the topic were the heads of Europe-based companies, each of which operate several labels across territories. They included Christian Vesper, president of global drama at Fremantle, Julie Meldal-Johnsen, executive VP of global content at ITV Studios, Federation Entertainment MD Lionel Uzan, Asacha Media Group co-founder and co-ceo Marina Williams and Lars Blomgren, head of scripted at Banijay. The panel was moderated by Variety international editor Manori Ravindran.
“It’s not necessarily about just getting bigger, it’s about strategically, what do we need within the group to support our current producers as well as our distribution,” said Vesper. Meldal-Johnsen likened the 60 plus labels within the ITV...
Weighing in on the topic were the heads of Europe-based companies, each of which operate several labels across territories. They included Christian Vesper, president of global drama at Fremantle, Julie Meldal-Johnsen, executive VP of global content at ITV Studios, Federation Entertainment MD Lionel Uzan, Asacha Media Group co-founder and co-ceo Marina Williams and Lars Blomgren, head of scripted at Banijay. The panel was moderated by Variety international editor Manori Ravindran.
“It’s not necessarily about just getting bigger, it’s about strategically, what do we need within the group to support our current producers as well as our distribution,” said Vesper. Meldal-Johnsen likened the 60 plus labels within the ITV...
- 3/23/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
As competition for the best European talent ramps up, bosses at some of the continent’s biggest production houses are finding U.S. agents tricky to deal with.
According to Christian Vesper, The Hand of God producer Fremantle’s President of Global Drama, agents are chasing too high a price for their clients which fails to “support that nation’s production model,” while Marina Williams, the Co-Founding Partner of Asacha Media Group, said “the price isn’t always acceptable” on these deals and they tend to be more complex than those traditionally struck in Europe.
“We are running into this a lot and you have to argue constantly,” added Vesper.
Local European agents are also grappling with the challenge of landing the biggest streamer shows for their clients and keeping these clients away from the big Hollywood agents as competition grows, according to Federation Entertainment Co-Founder Lionel Uzan.
“If they want to survive,...
According to Christian Vesper, The Hand of God producer Fremantle’s President of Global Drama, agents are chasing too high a price for their clients which fails to “support that nation’s production model,” while Marina Williams, the Co-Founding Partner of Asacha Media Group, said “the price isn’t always acceptable” on these deals and they tend to be more complex than those traditionally struck in Europe.
“We are running into this a lot and you have to argue constantly,” added Vesper.
Local European agents are also grappling with the challenge of landing the biggest streamer shows for their clients and keeping these clients away from the big Hollywood agents as competition grows, according to Federation Entertainment Co-Founder Lionel Uzan.
“If they want to survive,...
- 3/23/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Series Mania has unveiled the nine shows from six countries competing for the prestigious International Competition along with revealing the lineup and Guests of Honor for this year’s edition, the first to take place in person for three years.
Scroll down for the full list. Shows competing for the Competition include Michael Hirst’s Billy the Kid, for Epix, MGM and Viaplay, Israel’s Fire Dance, France’s Le Monde De Demain and The UK’s The Birth of Daniel F. Harris, each of which are being handed a world premiere.
The president of the jury announced soon will be joined by German actor Christian Berkel, Franco-Belgian actress Cécile de France, Israeli actress Shira Haas (Unorthodox), Turkish creator and director Berkun Oya (Bir Baskadir) and French singer-songwriter and model Yseult.
The jury will award the Grand Prize for Best Series, the Prize for Best Actress,...
Scroll down for the full list. Shows competing for the Competition include Michael Hirst’s Billy the Kid, for Epix, MGM and Viaplay, Israel’s Fire Dance, France’s Le Monde De Demain and The UK’s The Birth of Daniel F. Harris, each of which are being handed a world premiere.
The president of the jury announced soon will be joined by German actor Christian Berkel, Franco-Belgian actress Cécile de France, Israeli actress Shira Haas (Unorthodox), Turkish creator and director Berkun Oya (Bir Baskadir) and French singer-songwriter and model Yseult.
The jury will award the Grand Prize for Best Series, the Prize for Best Actress,...
- 2/17/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Around The World in 80 Days outfit Federation Entertainment has taken its second stake in a French production company of the year, acquiring 51% of Yves Darondeau and Emmanuel Priou’s March of the Penguins producer Bonne Pioche.
The deal covers all production activities, from development to delivery, as well as back office and international sales, with 30-staff outfit Bonne Pioche retaining full editorial freedom.
The company, whose name means “Good Call,” was founded in 1993 by Darondeau and Priou and has since launched subsidiaries Bonne Pioche Television, Bonne Pioche Cinema and Bonne Pioche Story.
Bonne Pioche has produced multi-genre hits such as Oscar-winning doc March of the Penguins and comedy We Are Family.
“Emmanuel and Yves are true craftsmen,” said Federation Founder Pascal Breton and CEO Lionel Uzan. “They and their teams are capable of developing the riskiest projects and turning them into success stories.”
The move comes just a few weeks...
The deal covers all production activities, from development to delivery, as well as back office and international sales, with 30-staff outfit Bonne Pioche retaining full editorial freedom.
The company, whose name means “Good Call,” was founded in 1993 by Darondeau and Priou and has since launched subsidiaries Bonne Pioche Television, Bonne Pioche Cinema and Bonne Pioche Story.
Bonne Pioche has produced multi-genre hits such as Oscar-winning doc March of the Penguins and comedy We Are Family.
“Emmanuel and Yves are true craftsmen,” said Federation Founder Pascal Breton and CEO Lionel Uzan. “They and their teams are capable of developing the riskiest projects and turning them into success stories.”
The move comes just a few weeks...
- 1/31/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Federation Entertainment has acquired a majority stake in Bonne Pioche, the French production company behind the Oscar-winning documentary “March of the Penguins.”
Active in documentaries, animation and drama, Bonne Pioche will retain full editorial freedom and will parter up with Federation on development and production, as well as back office and international sales. The company’s workforce, which includes 36 staff members, will remain in place. Federation has a 51-percent stake in Bonne Pioche.
“We look forward to bringing together the best creators to nourish our original and diversified editorial content,” said Yves Darondeau and Emmanuel Priou, the co-heads of Bonne Pioche.
“We are very excited about this new stage in the life of Bonne Pioche. What drives us is our desire to be as close as possible to the talents we support. Bonne Pioche is defined by our team on one hand and the great diversity of our productions of documentaries,...
Active in documentaries, animation and drama, Bonne Pioche will retain full editorial freedom and will parter up with Federation on development and production, as well as back office and international sales. The company’s workforce, which includes 36 staff members, will remain in place. Federation has a 51-percent stake in Bonne Pioche.
“We look forward to bringing together the best creators to nourish our original and diversified editorial content,” said Yves Darondeau and Emmanuel Priou, the co-heads of Bonne Pioche.
“We are very excited about this new stage in the life of Bonne Pioche. What drives us is our desire to be as close as possible to the talents we support. Bonne Pioche is defined by our team on one hand and the great diversity of our productions of documentaries,...
- 1/31/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Federation Entertainment, the production entity behind “Around the World in 80 Days” and “The Bureau,” has acquired a majority stake in independent French company Robin & Co.
Founded in 1998 by Jean-Yves Robin, the Robin & Co group includes subsidiaries Calt Production (“Kaamelott”), Calt Studio (“Moloch”), Calt Story (“La Dernière Partie”), Hope Production (“Human”), Monkey Pack Film (“Café de Flore) and Robin Production, a subsidiary currently in production on projects from Daniel Auteuil, Morgane Cadignan and Sandrine Sarroche.
The merger marks a busy expansion time for Federation, which was set up in 2013, headed by Pascal Breton and co-directed by Lionel Uzan. In recent months it started U.S.-based management and production company, Animal Federation; boarded European literary streamer Rocambole; set up an U.K. office; and also launched French TV/Film label Anonymous/Federation along with Anonymous Content.
Pascal Breton, president of Federation, said: “The exceptional relationship that Jean-Yves Robin has managed to build with many actors,...
Founded in 1998 by Jean-Yves Robin, the Robin & Co group includes subsidiaries Calt Production (“Kaamelott”), Calt Studio (“Moloch”), Calt Story (“La Dernière Partie”), Hope Production (“Human”), Monkey Pack Film (“Café de Flore) and Robin Production, a subsidiary currently in production on projects from Daniel Auteuil, Morgane Cadignan and Sandrine Sarroche.
The merger marks a busy expansion time for Federation, which was set up in 2013, headed by Pascal Breton and co-directed by Lionel Uzan. In recent months it started U.S.-based management and production company, Animal Federation; boarded European literary streamer Rocambole; set up an U.K. office; and also launched French TV/Film label Anonymous/Federation along with Anonymous Content.
Pascal Breton, president of Federation, said: “The exceptional relationship that Jean-Yves Robin has managed to build with many actors,...
- 1/4/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: U.S. management and production house Anonymous Content is teaming up with Euro firm Federation Entertainment to launch France-based TV label Anonymous/Federation.
The company is the latest joint venture between True Detective and Bad Robot producer Anonymous and an international firm, joining AC Nordic, AC Brazil and Chapter One in the UK as part of the company’s global expansion.
Development and production label Anonymous/Federation will be overseen by Dawn Olmstead and David Levine on behalf of Anonymous Content, and by Pascal Breton, Lionel Uzan and Patrick Wachsberger on behalf of The Bureau (pictured), Bad Banks and Around The World In 80 Days outfit Federation.
The MD of the newly created company, which will make content for the French and global markets, is to be announced soon.
Meanwhile, the first project for the label has been set as The Abduction of Yossele Schumacher, a limited series thriller based on a true story,...
The company is the latest joint venture between True Detective and Bad Robot producer Anonymous and an international firm, joining AC Nordic, AC Brazil and Chapter One in the UK as part of the company’s global expansion.
Development and production label Anonymous/Federation will be overseen by Dawn Olmstead and David Levine on behalf of Anonymous Content, and by Pascal Breton, Lionel Uzan and Patrick Wachsberger on behalf of The Bureau (pictured), Bad Banks and Around The World In 80 Days outfit Federation.
The MD of the newly created company, which will make content for the French and global markets, is to be announced soon.
Meanwhile, the first project for the label has been set as The Abduction of Yossele Schumacher, a limited series thriller based on a true story,...
- 11/29/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Around the World in 80 Days, the upcoming series adaptation of Jules Verne’s novel starring David Tennant, will be returning for a second season.
Producers Slim Film + Television and Federation Entertainment confirmed the news, also announcing that they teaming on another adaptation of a Verne classic, Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
Both series will be produced by Simon Crawford Collins for Slim Film + Television and Lionel Uzan for Federation, with Ashley Pharoah showrunning.
The first season of Around The World In 80 Days, also starring Ibrahim Koma and Leonie Benesch, is set to launch in January on BBC One in the UK and Masterpiece PBS in the U.S. Further broadcasters include France Télévisions, Zdf, Rai (the European Alliance), and Rtbf.
The second season will again see Phileas Fogg (Tennant) and his team take another perilous challenge to traverse the globe. Deals have not been completed...
Producers Slim Film + Television and Federation Entertainment confirmed the news, also announcing that they teaming on another adaptation of a Verne classic, Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
Both series will be produced by Simon Crawford Collins for Slim Film + Television and Lionel Uzan for Federation, with Ashley Pharoah showrunning.
The first season of Around The World In 80 Days, also starring Ibrahim Koma and Leonie Benesch, is set to launch in January on BBC One in the UK and Masterpiece PBS in the U.S. Further broadcasters include France Télévisions, Zdf, Rai (the European Alliance), and Rtbf.
The second season will again see Phileas Fogg (Tennant) and his team take another perilous challenge to traverse the globe. Deals have not been completed...
- 11/29/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
David Tennant’s upcoming series “Around the World in 80 Days” hasn’t yet hit screens but producers are so confident in the show they’ve already greenlit a second season, with Ashley Pharoah (“Life on Mars”) returning as showrunner.
Variety also hears Tennant is almost certain to reprise his role as adventurer Phileas Fogg for season 2. He stars alongside Ibrahim Koma (“As Far as I Can Walk”) as Passepartout and Leonie Benesch (“The Swarm”) as Abigail.
Production companies Slim Film + Television and Federation Entertainment confirmed the series will return for another season as well as unveiling another Jules Verne adaptation, “Journey to the Centre of the Earth,” with Pharoah also on board as showrunner.
“Journey to the Centre of the Earth” tells the story of geology professor Professor Lidenbrock who mounts an expedition to the earth’s core in a bid to unlock the secrets of humanity and its future.
Variety also hears Tennant is almost certain to reprise his role as adventurer Phileas Fogg for season 2. He stars alongside Ibrahim Koma (“As Far as I Can Walk”) as Passepartout and Leonie Benesch (“The Swarm”) as Abigail.
Production companies Slim Film + Television and Federation Entertainment confirmed the series will return for another season as well as unveiling another Jules Verne adaptation, “Journey to the Centre of the Earth,” with Pharoah also on board as showrunner.
“Journey to the Centre of the Earth” tells the story of geology professor Professor Lidenbrock who mounts an expedition to the earth’s core in a bid to unlock the secrets of humanity and its future.
- 11/29/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Casting
BBC One original series “Casualty” has announced its first transgender character, Sah, to be played by newcomer Arin Smethurst. Sah joins the series’ popular existing team of paramedics including Jan (Di Botcher), Teddy (Milo Clarke) and Iain (Michael Stevenson). “Casualty” is Smethurst’s first time working on a TV series, and the first episodes featuring their new character will begin airing later this month.
“I am honored to be joining the spectacular ‘Casualty’ family as a shiny new paramedic! I’m so excited to portray this transgender, non-binary, salty but fiercely compassionate character and hope they are not only well-received, but also a source of awareness for those who have never met someone like me,” said Smethurst in a release.
Development
Ard Degeto is developing “Oderbruch,” a new drama series destined for the company’s Ard Mediathek online platform. The series will be co-produced with Syrreal Entertainment and CBS Studios,...
BBC One original series “Casualty” has announced its first transgender character, Sah, to be played by newcomer Arin Smethurst. Sah joins the series’ popular existing team of paramedics including Jan (Di Botcher), Teddy (Milo Clarke) and Iain (Michael Stevenson). “Casualty” is Smethurst’s first time working on a TV series, and the first episodes featuring their new character will begin airing later this month.
“I am honored to be joining the spectacular ‘Casualty’ family as a shiny new paramedic! I’m so excited to portray this transgender, non-binary, salty but fiercely compassionate character and hope they are not only well-received, but also a source of awareness for those who have never met someone like me,” said Smethurst in a release.
Development
Ard Degeto is developing “Oderbruch,” a new drama series destined for the company’s Ard Mediathek online platform. The series will be co-produced with Syrreal Entertainment and CBS Studios,...
- 10/5/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Forced to halt production after just three weeks of shooting in South Africa when the Covid pandemic struck back in March 2020, and picking up again in Romania seven months later, Around The World In 80 Days is due to have its world premiere at Canneseries on October 10.
Star David Tennant, who plays English gentleman-turned-adventurer Phileas Fogg, is expected on the Riviera to unveil the first two episodes of this mega-adaptation of the Jules Verne classic. An airdate has yet to be set, but is likely around the holidays via such outlets as France Télévisions, PBS/Masterpiece, the BBC, Rai and Zdf. Check out the first-look teaser above.
Joining Tennant in the eight-part adventure are French actor Ibrahim Koma (Oss 177) as Fogg’s irrepressible valet, Passepartout, and Leonie Benesch (The Crown) as determined journalist, Abigail ‘Fix’ Fortescue.
A Slim Film + Television and Federation co-production for the European Alliance, the series boasts a new spin on Fogg.
Life On Mars creator and 80 Days head writer, Ashley Pharoah says, “We wanted Fogg yes to be a preposterously upper middle class over-educated Englishman, but I wanted to give him a sort of childlike sense of wonder because he’s never traveled, he’s never left London or his club. As soon as I hit on that, I thought it’s a love letter to the world, if that isn’t a bit pretentious. He goes to Paris and India and Hong Kong and Yemen and he’s so excited to see a camel, the different colors and cultures. It felt like resetting our relationship with traveling and seeing the world like that.”
In terms of scoring Tennant for the lead, former Kudos boss Simon Crawford Collins, who runs Slim Film + Television, says, “We wanted somebody who could believably do the action adventure, could play the stiff-upper-lip Englishman, but at the same time you never fall out of love with him and you really want to get under the veneer of that and go, ‘Wow, this is actually a complex man.’ David manages that so brilliantly.”
Pharoah, who is also an executive producer, hints at more Fogg adventures to come. “We are in the early stages of wondering — if this goes well — if we could do it again. Taking those three characters and doing a different adventure with them.” Hopefully not under the same conditions, however, which Pharoah recalls as “a really hard shoot.”
It was also expensive, as pandemic-related issues added about £4M in costs, Crawford Collins tells Deadline. “The first lockdown was a killer, but once we got going again we felt very blessed.” Production in South Africa was originally stopped in March 2020 and picked up again in November in Romania. “In an ideal world we would have carried on filming in South Africa where our sets were, but South Africa was coming out slowly so we did the big shift to Romania,” adds the executive producer. This year, production was able to move back to South Africa and the result is “very vibrant and cinematic.”
Around The World In 80 Days counts co-production partners Masterpiece in the U.S., Peu Communications in South Africa, and Belgium’s Be-films and Rtbf. Daro Film associate produces. Seven West Media has also backed the production and will broadcast in Australia. The series has further been acquired by the BBC in the UK and Rts in Switzerland.
While there are myriad partners on the series, Crawford Collins says development and production were “very straightforward.” France Télévisions “came back saying, ‘We love this and really want to make it and we don’t want to be the secondary broadcaster.’ They wanted to be lead, so immediately put in a sizable amount of money. It was a wonderful building block and they then brought the Alliance partners on board.”
The entire process (apart from the shutdown), “was incredibly stress free… We never had any big disagreements… The specter of Europudding still sort of lives heavily in our minds and we all know those days. But I think the trouble with that is when you have a project originated just to secure financing then it really shows through. The difference is that we had a clear vision of what we wanted to say, but just knew we needed a lot of people to help fund it.”
Also starring as series regulars in 80 Days are Jason Watkins (Des) and Peter Sullivan (Poldark). Guest actors include Lindsay Duncan (A Discovery Of Witches), Dolly Wells (Dracula), Richard Wilson (Merlin), Faical Elkihel (The Spy), Anthony Flanagan (The Terror), Gary Beadle (Patrick Melrose) and Giovanni Scifoni (Doc – Nelle Tue Mani).
Around The World In 80 Days is adapted by a team of writers led by Pharoah and Caleb Ranson (Child Of Mine). Steve Barron (The Durrells) directs with Brian Kelly (Downton Abbey) and the late Charles Beeson (The Mentalist).
Federation Entertainment handles distribution rights. Exec producers are Crawford Collins for Slim, Lionel Uzan and Pascal Breton for Federation, Winnie Serite for Peu and Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece.
Star David Tennant, who plays English gentleman-turned-adventurer Phileas Fogg, is expected on the Riviera to unveil the first two episodes of this mega-adaptation of the Jules Verne classic. An airdate has yet to be set, but is likely around the holidays via such outlets as France Télévisions, PBS/Masterpiece, the BBC, Rai and Zdf. Check out the first-look teaser above.
Joining Tennant in the eight-part adventure are French actor Ibrahim Koma (Oss 177) as Fogg’s irrepressible valet, Passepartout, and Leonie Benesch (The Crown) as determined journalist, Abigail ‘Fix’ Fortescue.
A Slim Film + Television and Federation co-production for the European Alliance, the series boasts a new spin on Fogg.
Life On Mars creator and 80 Days head writer, Ashley Pharoah says, “We wanted Fogg yes to be a preposterously upper middle class over-educated Englishman, but I wanted to give him a sort of childlike sense of wonder because he’s never traveled, he’s never left London or his club. As soon as I hit on that, I thought it’s a love letter to the world, if that isn’t a bit pretentious. He goes to Paris and India and Hong Kong and Yemen and he’s so excited to see a camel, the different colors and cultures. It felt like resetting our relationship with traveling and seeing the world like that.”
In terms of scoring Tennant for the lead, former Kudos boss Simon Crawford Collins, who runs Slim Film + Television, says, “We wanted somebody who could believably do the action adventure, could play the stiff-upper-lip Englishman, but at the same time you never fall out of love with him and you really want to get under the veneer of that and go, ‘Wow, this is actually a complex man.’ David manages that so brilliantly.”
Pharoah, who is also an executive producer, hints at more Fogg adventures to come. “We are in the early stages of wondering — if this goes well — if we could do it again. Taking those three characters and doing a different adventure with them.” Hopefully not under the same conditions, however, which Pharoah recalls as “a really hard shoot.”
It was also expensive, as pandemic-related issues added about £4M in costs, Crawford Collins tells Deadline. “The first lockdown was a killer, but once we got going again we felt very blessed.” Production in South Africa was originally stopped in March 2020 and picked up again in November in Romania. “In an ideal world we would have carried on filming in South Africa where our sets were, but South Africa was coming out slowly so we did the big shift to Romania,” adds the executive producer. This year, production was able to move back to South Africa and the result is “very vibrant and cinematic.”
Around The World In 80 Days counts co-production partners Masterpiece in the U.S., Peu Communications in South Africa, and Belgium’s Be-films and Rtbf. Daro Film associate produces. Seven West Media has also backed the production and will broadcast in Australia. The series has further been acquired by the BBC in the UK and Rts in Switzerland.
While there are myriad partners on the series, Crawford Collins says development and production were “very straightforward.” France Télévisions “came back saying, ‘We love this and really want to make it and we don’t want to be the secondary broadcaster.’ They wanted to be lead, so immediately put in a sizable amount of money. It was a wonderful building block and they then brought the Alliance partners on board.”
The entire process (apart from the shutdown), “was incredibly stress free… We never had any big disagreements… The specter of Europudding still sort of lives heavily in our minds and we all know those days. But I think the trouble with that is when you have a project originated just to secure financing then it really shows through. The difference is that we had a clear vision of what we wanted to say, but just knew we needed a lot of people to help fund it.”
Also starring as series regulars in 80 Days are Jason Watkins (Des) and Peter Sullivan (Poldark). Guest actors include Lindsay Duncan (A Discovery Of Witches), Dolly Wells (Dracula), Richard Wilson (Merlin), Faical Elkihel (The Spy), Anthony Flanagan (The Terror), Gary Beadle (Patrick Melrose) and Giovanni Scifoni (Doc – Nelle Tue Mani).
Around The World In 80 Days is adapted by a team of writers led by Pharoah and Caleb Ranson (Child Of Mine). Steve Barron (The Durrells) directs with Brian Kelly (Downton Abbey) and the late Charles Beeson (The Mentalist).
Federation Entertainment handles distribution rights. Exec producers are Crawford Collins for Slim, Lionel Uzan and Pascal Breton for Federation, Winnie Serite for Peu and Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece.
- 9/17/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan’s Federation Entertainment, the production company behind Canal Plus’ cult spy series The Bureau, is extending its reach to the UK. The prolific indie player is partnering with former eOne Head of Scripted Polly Williams and former eOne VP of Scripted Arielle Gottlieb to launch a new London-based production outfit. The company has yet to be named.
Williams, who will join as Managing Director, and Gottlieb, who will join as Creative Director, will focus on working with premium drama creators to create ambitious English-language content for a global audience. The duo will also aim to bring more female-led content to the Federation slate.
The new venture currently has a slate of high-profile projects currently in development, which are expected to be announced shortly. The company will develop, produce and invest in drama for TV and film and says it will offer flexibility for creators...
Williams, who will join as Managing Director, and Gottlieb, who will join as Creative Director, will focus on working with premium drama creators to create ambitious English-language content for a global audience. The duo will also aim to bring more female-led content to the Federation slate.
The new venture currently has a slate of high-profile projects currently in development, which are expected to be announced shortly. The company will develop, produce and invest in drama for TV and film and says it will offer flexibility for creators...
- 8/26/2021
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to Deadline’s International Disruptors, a feature where we’ll shine a spotlight on key executives and companies outside of the U.S. shaking up the offshore marketplace. This week, we take a deep dive into Federation Entertainment, the production-sales studio behind Canal Plus’ hit series The Bureau and Netflix Italian hit Baby. Founder Pascal Breton and CEO Lionel Uzan give us the lowdown on the company’s ambitions and why now is the perfect time to be in the game of creating pan-European content.
When French producer Pascal Breton launched Federation Entertainment in 2014, the veteran television executive had a hunch that the international production and distribution landscape was on the precipice of great change. The year before, he stepped down as CEO of Marathon Entertainment after 23 years, because the old model “was no longer exciting for producers.” Federation, he vowed, would anticipate market changes and respond accordingly with...
When French producer Pascal Breton launched Federation Entertainment in 2014, the veteran television executive had a hunch that the international production and distribution landscape was on the precipice of great change. The year before, he stepped down as CEO of Marathon Entertainment after 23 years, because the old model “was no longer exciting for producers.” Federation, he vowed, would anticipate market changes and respond accordingly with...
- 6/30/2021
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Federation Entertainment, Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan’s independent production and distribution group, is ramping up its premium documentary output with a slate of new acquisitions, including “The Vatican” and “The Sect.”
“The Vatican” is a six-part investigative documentary series exploring the pinnacle of Catholicism, and how incessant scandals and an ever changing society have weakened its foundations. “The Vatican” is directed by Kat Steppe, co-written by Rik Torfs and Jo Badisco, and produced by Kato Maes and Kristoffel Mertens at Belgian outfit Paneka for the broadcaster Vrt. Now filming, the series has already been pre-sold to French SVOD service Salto.
“The Sect,” meanwhile, delivers an in-depth look into the Order of the Solar Temple. The five-part docuseries sheds light on what led 74 members of the cult to commit mass suicide across France, Switzerland and Canada, between 1994 and 1997. “The Sect” is produced by Matthieu Belghiti and Jean-Xavier De Lestrade, the...
“The Vatican” is a six-part investigative documentary series exploring the pinnacle of Catholicism, and how incessant scandals and an ever changing society have weakened its foundations. “The Vatican” is directed by Kat Steppe, co-written by Rik Torfs and Jo Badisco, and produced by Kato Maes and Kristoffel Mertens at Belgian outfit Paneka for the broadcaster Vrt. Now filming, the series has already been pre-sold to French SVOD service Salto.
“The Sect,” meanwhile, delivers an in-depth look into the Order of the Solar Temple. The five-part docuseries sheds light on what led 74 members of the cult to commit mass suicide across France, Switzerland and Canada, between 1994 and 1997. “The Sect” is produced by Matthieu Belghiti and Jean-Xavier De Lestrade, the...
- 2/9/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
For a brief moment in mid-June, the producers of “Leonardo,” the upcoming big-budget series with Aidan Turner (“Poldark”) as the famed inventor, considered shooting the U.K. as renaissance Milan.
Luca Bernabei, CEO of the show’s producer Lux Vide, says the radical option was weighed partly because of spiraling Covid-19 rates and restrictions in Italy, and partly due to Turner’s co-star Freddie Highmore being only available for two weeks before jetting off to Canada to shoot “The Good Doctor.” But Covid was causing a similarly drastic shutdown in the U.K., meaning that in the end, Bernabei and Lux Vide head of production Daniele Passani made the decision to fly Highmore over to Italy and to build the dusty streets of Milan on the company’s backlot outside Rome.
While not every European production entity had the luxury of building their own sets to help solve Covid-19 production problems,...
Luca Bernabei, CEO of the show’s producer Lux Vide, says the radical option was weighed partly because of spiraling Covid-19 rates and restrictions in Italy, and partly due to Turner’s co-star Freddie Highmore being only available for two weeks before jetting off to Canada to shoot “The Good Doctor.” But Covid was causing a similarly drastic shutdown in the U.K., meaning that in the end, Bernabei and Lux Vide head of production Daniele Passani made the decision to fly Highmore over to Italy and to build the dusty streets of Milan on the company’s backlot outside Rome.
While not every European production entity had the luxury of building their own sets to help solve Covid-19 production problems,...
- 1/20/2021
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
After production was halted on David Tennant drama Around The World In 80 Days amid the escalating coronavirus pandemic last March, filming has resumed in Romania. In all, the shoot will be spread across locations and studios in Romania and South Africa over a five-month period.
A Slim Film + Television and Federation co-production for the European Alliance, the project has also been boarded by co-production partners Masterpiece in the U.S., Peu Communications in South Africa, and Belgium’s Be-films and Rtbf. Daro Film associate produces.
Joining Tennant in the eight-part adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic adventure are French actor Ibrahim Koma (Oss 177) as Phileas Fogg’s irrepressible valet, Passepartout, and Leonie Benesch (The Crown) as determined journalist, Abigail ‘Fix’ Fortescue.
Also starring as series regulars are Jason Watkins (Des) and Peter Sullivan (Poldark).
Guest actors now joining the cast include Lindsay Duncan (A Discovery Of Witches...
A Slim Film + Television and Federation co-production for the European Alliance, the project has also been boarded by co-production partners Masterpiece in the U.S., Peu Communications in South Africa, and Belgium’s Be-films and Rtbf. Daro Film associate produces.
Joining Tennant in the eight-part adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic adventure are French actor Ibrahim Koma (Oss 177) as Phileas Fogg’s irrepressible valet, Passepartout, and Leonie Benesch (The Crown) as determined journalist, Abigail ‘Fix’ Fortescue.
Also starring as series regulars are Jason Watkins (Des) and Peter Sullivan (Poldark).
Guest actors now joining the cast include Lindsay Duncan (A Discovery Of Witches...
- 11/10/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
MipTV Online Plus ends on April 2. Series Mania’s Digital Forum on April 7. As virtual marketplace presentations foreseeably wind down, here area few first takes on the world’s first, and one hopes last, totally online business. More will be added shortly.
Series Mania, MipTV Newsflow Weakens in a Virtual Market
Yes, deals were announced during the Series Mania/Mip-TV virtual marketplace, which may now be beginning to wind down. Federation unveiled strong pre-sales on “The Bureau” S5 and “Bad Banks” S2, Beta Film deals on “Cryptid” (Germany’s Joyn), “La Unidad” (HBO Latin America) and “The Turncoat” (all Nordic state TVs); Fremantle announced Dr’s purchase of “Five Guys a Week,” and Globo sales on telenovelas in Latin America. Cineflix Rights tub-thumped a Spring/Summer slate, adding ITN docs; Brazil’s Encripta bought five dramas from Russia’s Ntv. Filmax announced a drama reversion of horror movie classic...
Series Mania, MipTV Newsflow Weakens in a Virtual Market
Yes, deals were announced during the Series Mania/Mip-TV virtual marketplace, which may now be beginning to wind down. Federation unveiled strong pre-sales on “The Bureau” S5 and “Bad Banks” S2, Beta Film deals on “Cryptid” (Germany’s Joyn), “La Unidad” (HBO Latin America) and “The Turncoat” (all Nordic state TVs); Fremantle announced Dr’s purchase of “Five Guys a Week,” and Globo sales on telenovelas in Latin America. Cineflix Rights tub-thumped a Spring/Summer slate, adding ITN docs; Brazil’s Encripta bought five dramas from Russia’s Ntv. Filmax announced a drama reversion of horror movie classic...
- 4/1/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Rolling out muscular first sales on Season 5 of “The Bureau” and “Bad Banks” Season 2, Paris and Los Angeles-based Federation Entertainment is bringing onto the market a powerful new slate led by not only new seasons of “The Bureau” and “Bad Banks” but also Omri Givon’s “The Grave” as it accelerates development with the Covid-lockdown, and hones a new marketing and sales strategies for a virtual marketplace.
Major sales on “The Bureau” Season 5 include the Sundance Channel for the U.S. and U.K., Sbs (Australia), Vrt and Be TV (Belgium), Svt (Sweden), Nrk (Norway).
Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia are in advanced negotiation.
Of more major territiries, “Bad Banks” Season 2 has closed HBO Europe, Hulu U.S., Walter Presents (U.K.), and AMC Iberia, Rtl Luxembourg and Rialto for New Zealand.
The sales underscore the healthy fundamentals of the premium series business in much of the Eurozone, where...
Major sales on “The Bureau” Season 5 include the Sundance Channel for the U.S. and U.K., Sbs (Australia), Vrt and Be TV (Belgium), Svt (Sweden), Nrk (Norway).
Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia are in advanced negotiation.
Of more major territiries, “Bad Banks” Season 2 has closed HBO Europe, Hulu U.S., Walter Presents (U.K.), and AMC Iberia, Rtl Luxembourg and Rialto for New Zealand.
The sales underscore the healthy fundamentals of the premium series business in much of the Eurozone, where...
- 3/30/2020
- by John Hopewell and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Madrid — Omri Givon, one of Israel’s only true showrunners, wears his heart on his sleeve, bearing his series’ plot-drivers from the get-go.
“When Heroes Fly,” a 2018 Canneseries best series winner, begins with a battle of shocking sonic ferocity that explains the sense of brotherhood and loss, as well as trauma, sluicing the series.
An intimate, sci-fi mind-bender, “The Grave” – one of the big new Israeli series hitting this and next week’s Series Mania/MipTV virtual marketplace, kicks off with an earthquake at a nature reserve. It cuts rapidly, however, to the house of its park ranger, Yoel Russo, as he smashed the jammed door into his son’s bedroom to rescue him, furniture crashing around them.
That same earthquake opens up a shallow pit, exposing three skeletons whose DNA matches prove, beyond reasonable doubt, to be those of three people who are very much alive. The conundrum drives the eight-part series’ thriller narrative.
“When Heroes Fly,” a 2018 Canneseries best series winner, begins with a battle of shocking sonic ferocity that explains the sense of brotherhood and loss, as well as trauma, sluicing the series.
An intimate, sci-fi mind-bender, “The Grave” – one of the big new Israeli series hitting this and next week’s Series Mania/MipTV virtual marketplace, kicks off with an earthquake at a nature reserve. It cuts rapidly, however, to the house of its park ranger, Yoel Russo, as he smashed the jammed door into his son’s bedroom to rescue him, furniture crashing around them.
That same earthquake opens up a shallow pit, exposing three skeletons whose DNA matches prove, beyond reasonable doubt, to be those of three people who are very much alive. The conundrum drives the eight-part series’ thriller narrative.
- 3/26/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Paris and Los Angeles-based Federation Entertainment has acquired the TV format and remake rights to Alejandro Amenábar’s debut feature, “Thesis.” It’s a prime example of the value of key older movie titles from standout younger foreign-language auteurs.
Producer of “The Bureau,” “Marseille,” “Bad Banks” and “Hostages,” Federation Entertainment will produce a drama series based on the film along with Raphaël Rocher at Empreinte Digitale, a company with a strong line in genre and sci-fi which produced “Missions,” a TV Critics Award winner at the 2017 MipDrama Screenings.
Federation Entertainment’s Lionel Uzan is understood to have clinched the remake rights in a competitive bidding situation from Guido Rud’s FilmSharks-owned the Remake Co. and Enrique Cerezo’s Video Mercury.
The move opens up a whole new front for rights-holders to exploit the commercial and artistic value of past movies. Further movie-to-series deals in the Spanish-speaking world look set to...
Producer of “The Bureau,” “Marseille,” “Bad Banks” and “Hostages,” Federation Entertainment will produce a drama series based on the film along with Raphaël Rocher at Empreinte Digitale, a company with a strong line in genre and sci-fi which produced “Missions,” a TV Critics Award winner at the 2017 MipDrama Screenings.
Federation Entertainment’s Lionel Uzan is understood to have clinched the remake rights in a competitive bidding situation from Guido Rud’s FilmSharks-owned the Remake Co. and Enrique Cerezo’s Video Mercury.
The move opens up a whole new front for rights-holders to exploit the commercial and artistic value of past movies. Further movie-to-series deals in the Spanish-speaking world look set to...
- 2/22/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
In this week’s jam-packed International TV Newswire, Variety catches you up on HBO’s first Danish original series “Kamikaze,” the first deal between ViacomCBS-owned broadcasters since the merger, David Tennant’s upcoming 80-day global circumnavigation, an un-scripted deal between Japan’s Nippon TV and the U.K.’s The Story Lab. Also on the mix: Eccho Rights’ newest global pickup from Sweden, U.K. Creative Content Eis Fund’s first investment, and the Nordisk Film & TV Fond Prize’s jury announcement.
HBO Europe Announces First Danish Original Series
For HBO it’s always been about quality, not quantity, so it’s no surprise that HBO Europe has enlisted an all-star team for its first Danish original series, “Kamikaze.” The series will be directed by “Borgen” director Annette K. Olesen and executive produced by Hanne Palmquist, and Steve Matthews and Antony Root.
Based on the novel “Muleum” by Norwegian writer Erlend Loe,...
HBO Europe Announces First Danish Original Series
For HBO it’s always been about quality, not quantity, so it’s no surprise that HBO Europe has enlisted an all-star team for its first Danish original series, “Kamikaze.” The series will be directed by “Borgen” director Annette K. Olesen and executive produced by Hanne Palmquist, and Steve Matthews and Antony Root.
Based on the novel “Muleum” by Norwegian writer Erlend Loe,...
- 12/6/2019
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: David Tennant is to play explorer Phileas Fogg in an adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic Around the World in 80 Days.
The Doctor Who and Broadchurch star is fronting the eight-part drama, which is produced by Slim Film + Television.
Following an outrageous bet, Fogg and his valet, Passepartout, played by rising French actor Ibrahim Koma, take on the legendary journey of circumnavigating the globe in just 80 days, swiftly joined by aspiring journalist Abigail Fix, played by The Crown’s Leonie Benesch, who seizes the chance to report on this extraordinary story.
The series is being adapted by writers including Ashley Pharoah (Life on Mars) and Caleb Ranson (Child of Mine) and filming is set to start in February 2020 principally in South Africa and Romania ahead of its launch at the end of 2020.
Steve Barron (The Durrells) will be lead director with Charles Beeson (The Mentalist) also lined...
The Doctor Who and Broadchurch star is fronting the eight-part drama, which is produced by Slim Film + Television.
Following an outrageous bet, Fogg and his valet, Passepartout, played by rising French actor Ibrahim Koma, take on the legendary journey of circumnavigating the globe in just 80 days, swiftly joined by aspiring journalist Abigail Fix, played by The Crown’s Leonie Benesch, who seizes the chance to report on this extraordinary story.
The series is being adapted by writers including Ashley Pharoah (Life on Mars) and Caleb Ranson (Child of Mine) and filming is set to start in February 2020 principally in South Africa and Romania ahead of its launch at the end of 2020.
Steve Barron (The Durrells) will be lead director with Charles Beeson (The Mentalist) also lined...
- 12/4/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Guillaume Gallienne, the French filmmaker behind Me, Myself and Mum, is adapting Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time into a TV series.
Gallienne has teamed with Marseille producer Federation Entertainment, Cinéfrance Studios, and Don’t Be Shy to produce La Recherche. The show was unveiled at Series Mania in Lille.
Proust’s novel In Search of Lost Time, which was first published in 1913, consists of seven volumes and follows the narrator’s recollections of childhood and experiences into adulthood, during late 19th century to early 20th century aristocratic France, while reflecting on the loss of time and lack of meaning to the world.
Gallienne will create, direct and co-produce the series. He will work with a team of writers from the world of drama and literature. Federation Entertainment’s Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan will exec produce with Cinéfrance Studios’ Julien Deris and David Gauquié. The companies are...
Gallienne has teamed with Marseille producer Federation Entertainment, Cinéfrance Studios, and Don’t Be Shy to produce La Recherche. The show was unveiled at Series Mania in Lille.
Proust’s novel In Search of Lost Time, which was first published in 1913, consists of seven volumes and follows the narrator’s recollections of childhood and experiences into adulthood, during late 19th century to early 20th century aristocratic France, while reflecting on the loss of time and lack of meaning to the world.
Gallienne will create, direct and co-produce the series. He will work with a team of writers from the world of drama and literature. Federation Entertainment’s Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan will exec produce with Cinéfrance Studios’ Julien Deris and David Gauquié. The companies are...
- 3/26/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Indie veteran will continue to develop film projects through his Picture Perfect.
Indie sales veteran and former Lionsgate film co-chairman Patrick Wachsberger is getting into television, forming a Los Angeles-based joint venture with France’s Federation Entertainment to develop and produce premium TV series for the Us and international co-production.
Wachsberger will work on the joint venture, labeled Picture Perfect Federation and expected to focus mainly on English-language projects, with Ashley Stern, head of Us television for Paris-based Federation, best known as producer of French-language Netflix drama series Marseille.
Wachsberger is reportedly in the process of optioning a series of...
Indie sales veteran and former Lionsgate film co-chairman Patrick Wachsberger is getting into television, forming a Los Angeles-based joint venture with France’s Federation Entertainment to develop and produce premium TV series for the Us and international co-production.
Wachsberger will work on the joint venture, labeled Picture Perfect Federation and expected to focus mainly on English-language projects, with Ashley Stern, head of Us television for Paris-based Federation, best known as producer of French-language Netflix drama series Marseille.
Wachsberger is reportedly in the process of optioning a series of...
- 1/24/2019
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Patrick Wachsberger, former Co-Chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group and the man behind the international success of features such as Twilight, La La Land and John Wick, is moving into TV after teaming with Marseille producer Federation Entertainment.
Wachsberger’s Picture Perfect Entertainment has entered into a joint venture with Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan’s studio Federation to create Picture Perfect Federation. The company will develop and produce premium TV series for U.S. broadcasters and streaming service and international co-productions.
“I’ve been really attracted by the quality of programming on television and decided that I wanted to get into it as well as movies. I really wanted to explore the possibilities of doing co-productions and looking at the world, not just the U.S. market,” Wachsberger told Deadline.
Picture Perfect Federation is on the brink of optioning a series of novels that will be one of its first development projects.
Wachsberger’s Picture Perfect Entertainment has entered into a joint venture with Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan’s studio Federation to create Picture Perfect Federation. The company will develop and produce premium TV series for U.S. broadcasters and streaming service and international co-productions.
“I’ve been really attracted by the quality of programming on television and decided that I wanted to get into it as well as movies. I really wanted to explore the possibilities of doing co-productions and looking at the world, not just the U.S. market,” Wachsberger told Deadline.
Picture Perfect Federation is on the brink of optioning a series of novels that will be one of its first development projects.
- 1/23/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Lionsgate co-chair Patrick Wachsberger and Federation Entertainment, the French producer behind Marseille, are joining forces to create an L.A.-based production powerhouse Picture Perfect Federation.
Wachsberger's Picture Perfect and the Paris-based Federation, headed by Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan, will form a joint venture to focus on TV development and production for the U.S.
Wachsberger was at the helm of Lionsgate Motion Picture group, and behind the development of Twilight and La La Land, among other hit films.
Federation was behind Netflix's first French series, the political thriller Marseille starring Gerard Depardieu, and has quickly expanded its ...
Wachsberger's Picture Perfect and the Paris-based Federation, headed by Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan, will form a joint venture to focus on TV development and production for the U.S.
Wachsberger was at the helm of Lionsgate Motion Picture group, and behind the development of Twilight and La La Land, among other hit films.
Federation was behind Netflix's first French series, the political thriller Marseille starring Gerard Depardieu, and has quickly expanded its ...
- 1/23/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Oscar-nominated actress Berenice Bejo (“The Artist”) is set to headline “Josephine and Napoleon,” an English-language period drama series created by British showrunner Tony Saint (“Das Boot”).
Now in development, the eight-part series is being produced by the well-established British company Ecosse Films and Pascal Breton’s Paris-based Federation Entertainment for the network France Televisions, which is also co-producing.
The show is based Andrew Roberts’ “Napoleon: A Life” and Kate Williams’ “The Dangerous Life of Josephine Bonaparte.” It will be directed by a French and English filmmaker duo who will be announced at a later stage, along with a French writer who will be working with Saint.
Bejo, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Artist” and won best actress at Cannes for Asghar Farhadi’s “The Past,” will play Josephine, Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, lover, and muse.
Josephine de Beauharnais, a mischievous aristocrat born in the French West Indies,...
Now in development, the eight-part series is being produced by the well-established British company Ecosse Films and Pascal Breton’s Paris-based Federation Entertainment for the network France Televisions, which is also co-producing.
The show is based Andrew Roberts’ “Napoleon: A Life” and Kate Williams’ “The Dangerous Life of Josephine Bonaparte.” It will be directed by a French and English filmmaker duo who will be announced at a later stage, along with a French writer who will be working with Saint.
Bejo, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Artist” and won best actress at Cannes for Asghar Farhadi’s “The Past,” will play Josephine, Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, lover, and muse.
Josephine de Beauharnais, a mischievous aristocrat born in the French West Indies,...
- 10/12/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Pascal Breton’s Federation Entertainment, the Paris-based production and distribution firm whose credits include “The Bureau” (pictured), “Marseille” and “Find Me in Paris,” has raised 16 million Euros ($18.4 million) as it plans to expand globally and diversify.
The minority funding round was made with the financial institutions Bpifrance, BNP Paribas Développement, Amundi Private Equity Funds, Alliance Entreprendre and Entrepreneur Venture.
Under the helm of its founder and CEO Pascal Breton, and his partners, Lionel Uzan, David Michel, Serge Hayat and Stéphane Sperry, the thriving independent company is active in the drama, kids & family and light entertainment genres. The banner has offices in Paris and Los Angeles, and works with a wide range of streamers and networks.
Breton, who remains a majority shareholder in Federation Entertainment, said the new investors were a “consortium of solid, cohesive companies close to the audiovisual sector.”
“After having put in place a number of innovative financing tools for production and distribution,...
The minority funding round was made with the financial institutions Bpifrance, BNP Paribas Développement, Amundi Private Equity Funds, Alliance Entreprendre and Entrepreneur Venture.
Under the helm of its founder and CEO Pascal Breton, and his partners, Lionel Uzan, David Michel, Serge Hayat and Stéphane Sperry, the thriving independent company is active in the drama, kids & family and light entertainment genres. The banner has offices in Paris and Los Angeles, and works with a wide range of streamers and networks.
Breton, who remains a majority shareholder in Federation Entertainment, said the new investors were a “consortium of solid, cohesive companies close to the audiovisual sector.”
“After having put in place a number of innovative financing tools for production and distribution,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Streaming services have opened the door for multilingual series like worldwide Netflix hit “Narcos,” but dramas in English still dominate TV’s Golden Age, travel the most widely and draw the biggest distribution deals. International companies are scrambling for a piece of the action — including, perhaps surprisingly, producers in France, despite the country’s perceived snobbery about other languages.
Federation Entertainment, the 5-year-old firm behind Netflix’s first French show, “Marseille,” and Canal Plus spy show “The Bureau,” is the latest French player to step into the competitive U.S. market, with nearly a dozen English-language projects in the pipeline. Unlike outfits such as Gaumont or EuropaCorp, Federation is one of the few sizable, fully independent TV outfits left in France, and not only has opened an office in L.A. but is also developing projects with Paramount TV and other American companies.
Even so, breaking into the U.S.
Federation Entertainment, the 5-year-old firm behind Netflix’s first French show, “Marseille,” and Canal Plus spy show “The Bureau,” is the latest French player to step into the competitive U.S. market, with nearly a dozen English-language projects in the pipeline. Unlike outfits such as Gaumont or EuropaCorp, Federation is one of the few sizable, fully independent TV outfits left in France, and not only has opened an office in L.A. but is also developing projects with Paramount TV and other American companies.
Even so, breaking into the U.S.
- 7/19/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Pascal Breton’s Federation Entertainment has acquired international rights to “Mytho,” a series drama which will be directed by Fabrice Gobert, the creator of Canal Plus’s hit supernatural series “The Returned.”
The series is being produced by Bruno Nahon at Unité de Production. The seasoned French producer is behind a flurry of critically acclaimed films, notably Cyril Mennegun’s “Louise Wimmer,” Nabil Ayouch’s “Razzia,” and series such as “Ainsi soient-ils” (“Churchmen”), which is one of Arte’s most popular series.
“Mytho,” which comprises six one-hour episodes, will topline French actress Marina Hands (“Tell No One,” “Lady Chatterley”) as Elvira, a loving and caring wife who finds herself on the edge of burnout. One day, she starts suspecting her husband of having an affair, and on the spur of the moment, she pretends that she is sick, a small white lie that will have huge consequences.
“Mytho” has been commissioned by Franco-German network Arte.
The series is being produced by Bruno Nahon at Unité de Production. The seasoned French producer is behind a flurry of critically acclaimed films, notably Cyril Mennegun’s “Louise Wimmer,” Nabil Ayouch’s “Razzia,” and series such as “Ainsi soient-ils” (“Churchmen”), which is one of Arte’s most popular series.
“Mytho,” which comprises six one-hour episodes, will topline French actress Marina Hands (“Tell No One,” “Lady Chatterley”) as Elvira, a loving and caring wife who finds herself on the edge of burnout. One day, she starts suspecting her husband of having an affair, and on the spur of the moment, she pretends that she is sick, a small white lie that will have huge consequences.
“Mytho” has been commissioned by Franco-German network Arte.
- 4/6/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
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