Rai Adapting Mario Tobino‘s Tuscan World War Two Novel
Italy’s Rai is adapting Mario Tobino’s influential novel Le Libere Donne di Magliano- Mondadori Libri. Endemol Shine Italy and Rai Fiction are producing the adaptation, which is set in Tuscany during the Second World War and follows a psychiatrist challenging the repressive confines of a women’s psychiatric hospital. Within this microcosm of society, some women find solace and an unexpected sense of freedom within a restrictive society, while others are unjustly confined for defying societal norms. The series stars Lino Guanciale, Grace Kicaj, Gaia Messerklinger and Fabrizio Biggio. Endemol Italy boss Leonardo Pasquinelli said: “This co-production illustrates our strong partnership with Rai and our combined commitment to deliver high-quality, culturally significant stories. Le Libere Donne is a powerful narrative of resilience, freedom and self-worth, bridging period drama with contemporary relevance, showcasing the impactful work of Mario Tobino.”
Unifrance TV Export Award Winners
The big winners at the Unifrance TV Export Awards last night at the Trianon in Paris included Newen Connect art heist drama series Cat’s Eyes, France TV Distribution’s doc Eiffel Tower: Building the Impossible and Xilam Animation’s toon Zig & Sharko Season 3. Rodolphe Buet, CEO of Newen Connect, said: “We are incredibly proud of last night’s award, which is a testament to the ambition of the show’s producers and Newen Connect’s ability to deliver the financial support that allowed Cat’s Eves to deliver such high production values.” Banijay Rights’ Marie-Antoinette and Studiocanal’s Of Money and Blood were also nominated in the Fiction category, while Newen Russia, Indoctrination of a Nation and ZED’s D-Day: 100 Days for Freedom were up for docs. Animation nominees also included APC’s Jade Armor Season 1 and MIAM! Distribution’s Brazen. The awards were held as part of the French Television Producer Awards.
Australia’s SBS Goes Big On Beta Shows
Australia’s SBS has picked up nearly 200 hours worth of shows including La Storia, 30 Days of Lust and Maxima from Beta Film. The splashy deal will see the shows populate the SBS On Demand VoD player next year. Included are the TV adaption of Elsa Morante’s iconic and acclaimed novel La Storia, which recently sold to Mhz Choice in the U.S. and Canada (Mhz Choice), Operation Sabre from Serbia, which is based on the true events of the assassination of the Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić in 2003, and royal drama Maxima. Additionally, SBS has acquired all four seasons of Sisi, all three seasons of Spain’s award-winning thriller La Unidad, both seasons of the Finnish crime drama Helsinki Syndrome, Lone Scherfig’s medical drama The Shift and the Gomorrah back catalog.
Fifth Season, YouTube, Banijay Execs Join Banff Board
Execs from Fifth Season, YouTube and Banijay Rights have joined the Banff World Media Festival board. Prentiss Fraser, Andrew Peterson and Jane Rimer comprise the trio who will contribute to the running of the annual festival in the Rockies. In addition, Patrick Vien, Group Managing Director, International at A+E Networks, has been appointed as Vice Chair of the Board, succeeding Brenda Gilbert, producer and Co-Founder of Bron Media who will be remaining on the board of directors. Sally Catto and Colin Bohm are retiring from the board. Bell Media President Sean Cohan was recently named chair. “This is a pivotal moment for Banff as we continue to grow our impact on and service to the global media industry,” said Cohan. “With the addition of such accomplished leaders to our Board, we are well-positioned to advance the Festival’s mission of facilitating major business partnerships and fostering creative collaboration on new film, TV and digital projects.” Banff takes place June 8-11 next year.