ADAPTATION
Christopher Granier-Deferre’s U.K.-based Poisson Rouge Pictures (“Scarborough”) has optioned Ovidia Yu’s Singapore-set crime novels “The Tree Mysteries” for TV adaptation. The stories feature a resolute young woman masterfully navigating the racist, sexist bigotry of the 1940’s British island colony. Poisson Rouge aims to cover the first six books in two seasons and to deliver the series to screen around 2023. The company is currently meeting with show runners and writers from across the region and from the Southeast Asian diaspora. – Patrick Frater
DISTRIBUTION
German distribution company Studio Hamburg Enterprises has acquired international distribution rights to “Berlin Legal” from UFA Fiction, commissioned by ARD Degeto. “Deutschland 89’s” Randa Chahoud and Stefan Bühling (“The White Snake”) direct the political drama, inspired by true events and touching on themes such as hate speech, personal rights and fake news. Felice Götze (“Über die Grenze”) and Lena Kammermeier (“Bleiben will ich wo ich nie gewesen bin”) co-wrote the series, which features an impressive ensemble cast including Lavinia Wilson (“Deutschland 89”), Stefan Kurt, Annika Kuhl, Rainer Sellien, Michaela Caspar, Maryam Zaree (“4 Blocks”), Niels Bormann (“Deutschland 89”), Aaron Altaras, Sebastian Hülk, Sophie Rois (“Barbarians”), and Jacob Matschenz (“Berlin Babylon”).
COMMISSION
Sky Kids and Peacock have teamed to co-commission a pair of new kids programs. “The Makery,” produced by Richard Hunt, is a make-and-do series for young children in which host Nim Odedra instructs at-home audiences how to create art, toys and costumes from cardboard boxes. Drama series “Take Note” (Lambur Entertainment) follows 11-year-old protagonist Calvin Richards through a rollercoaster summer as the boy participates on a high-profile American singing contest show. Both shows were commissioned for Sky by Lucy Murphy. They are executive produced by Ian France and Estelle Hughes and will air on Sky Kids and streaming service NOW in early 2022. NBCUniversal Global Distribution is selling both series internationally.
HIRING
As part of the launch of its new TV Studios, TFS managing director Cara Shappard has hired Edward Harvey as the company’s head of TV Studios. A 30-year industry vet, Harvey most recently worked at BT Studios, helping to expand the company’s indie client base while proposing new productions, among them: “Love Island Aftersun,” “Last Leg Paralympics” and “I’m a Celeb Daily Drop.” Earlier in his career, Harvey spent 25 years working at ITV’s The London Studios and was key in several major transitions there including the shift from SD to HD, linear to non-linear editing and a shift to 5.1 facilities. Harvey will operate out of the new TV Studio at Twickenham, designed as a bespoke production space for entertainment shows.
INCENTIVES
Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the FilmPhilippines Office (FPO) have picked seven film and TV projects to back financially for the second cycle of the FilmPhilippines Incentives Program. In total, PHP 26 million ($516,000) will be distributed to International Co-Production Fund and ASEAN Co-Production Fund recipients. Additionally, productions receiving the region’s Film Location Incentive Program will be eligible for a 20% cash rebate, capped at PHP 10 million ($200,000) on eligible expenses accrued within the Philippines.
2021 Incentive Recipients:
“Dancing the Tides” (Xeph Suarez, Daluyong Studios, Volos Films, Taiwan)
“Hold My Gaze” (Carlo Enciso Catu, Epicmedia Productions, Karakiri Films, Japan)
“Kodokushi” (Janus Victoria, Project 8 Projects, IS-Field, Paperheart Limited, Japan, Malaysia)
“Cu Li Never Cries” (Pham Ngoc Lan)
“Ella Arcangel: Awit ng Pangil at Kuko” (Mervin Malonzo)
“Survivor,” (Philippine Film Studios, Survivor Central Productions)
“Taffy Season 2” (Pierre Sissmann, Morph Animation, Cyber Group Studios)