FEDERATION APPOINTMENT
Federation Stories U.K. has announced the appointment of Beth Warin as the new head of development for the company. Warin will be working closely with Polly Williams, the managing director, and will be overseeing the international drama production slate of the company.
Warin brings with her a wealth of experience from her previous role at the BBC where she served as a drama commissioning executive, supporting commissioning editors Jo McClellan and Gaynor Holmes on projects like “Lockerbie” and “The Night Manager” Season 2.
Some of Federation Stories’s recent credits include the British family drama series “I, Jack Wright,” created by Chris Lang and starring John Simmy. The company also has several projects in development with broadcasters in the U.K., the US, and Europe.
Established three years ago, Federation Stories is the U.K. arm of the European production studio Federation Studios. The U.K. office was founded by former eOne executives Arielle Gottlieb and Williams. Gottlieb recently left the company as part of a restructuring process.
Federation Studios, headquartered in France, has production shingles in various locations worldwide, including Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, Rome, and Berlin. The studio is renowned for producing hits like “The Bureau” and “In Treatment.”
SALES SPREE
ITV Studios has announced a series of sales deals in North and South America. AMC Networks’ Sundance Now has acquired rights to “Fifteen-Love” for the U.S. and Canada, with SRC securing French Canadian rights. Acorn TV has secured U.S. premiere rights for “Maternal” and second-window Canadian rights.
BritBox has picked up “A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story” and “Until I Kill You” for the U.S. and Canada. PBS Distribution has extended rights for popular shows like “Endeavour,” “Victoria,” and “Poldark.” Janus Films and Criterion Collection have also renewed rights to a collection of 94 classic titles.
MHZ Choice has acquired rights to “Blackwater,” “A French Village,” “Piste Noire,” “Petra” Season 2, and “Carlo and Malik.” Brazil’s Globo has purchased rights to “I Kissed A Boy,” “I Kissed A Girl,” “An Audience with Kylie Minogue,” and “Ready to Mingle.”
Rob Kaplan and Craig Bohland were instrumental in brokering these deals for ITV Studios.