BBC Picks Up New Zealand Cult Doc ‘Escaping Utopia’
The BBC has picked up a premium doc series on a group of people’s clandestine escape from a New Zealand cult. Escaping Utopia is a three-part investigation into Gloriavale Christian Community – New Zealand’s extreme religious cult – and the true stories of people attempting to break free. Fifth Season has sold the series to the BBC along with MTV OY (Finland), SVT (Sweden), NRK (Norway), DR (Denmark) and Movistar Plus+ (Spain). Featuring newly-revealed information, the series from Warner Bros. International Television Production New Zealand documents the intricate planning that went into escapes from Gloriavale – with access to its inner workings, the unravelling of its leadership and the pursuit of justice by a passionate and dedicated resistance movement gaining momentum outside. Jennifer Ebell, Fifth Season’s EVP, EMEA Sales and Acquisitions, said: “Escaping Utopia is a brilliantly crafted series with exclusive inner access on a current and evolving situation, which expertly digs into the psychology of Gloriavale and leaves audiences with a deeper understanding of this closed community. The series had a remarkable response in New Zealand and immediately captivated viewers, so we look forward to now bringing this landmark story of survival to the UK and new international audiences.”
Keshet International Snaps Up Unscripted Development Exec From Armoza
Keshet International (KI) has snapped up an unscripted development exec from Armoza Formats. Nehama Cohen joins the Israeli outfit in the newly-created role of SVP of Development & Network, Non-Scripted. Reporting into CEO Keren Shahar, Cohen will be responsible for creating and developing original unscripted formats for KI, alongside the international roll-out and adaptation of formats within the global distributor’s catalog such as Dear Neighbors and The Hit List. She will work with unscripted hubs across the group including third parties like France’s Satisfaction Group, with which Keshet has a creative alliance. Cohen was formerly Chief Creative Officer at Armoza Formats but started her career at Keshet Broadcasting, joining as Acquisitions Executive in 1999. “I am thrilled that Nehama has chosen to return to the Keshet family,” said Shahar. “Her appointment reinforces Keshet International’s renewed focus on our non-scripted formats’ strategy, as a developer, producer and distributor of global content.”
‘Destination X’ Distributor Be-Entertainment Signs Business Development Director
Destination X distributor Be-Entertainment has hired a Business Development Director. In the newly-created role, Erik de Winter will be responsible for the expansion of the Belgian outfit by sourcing international IP, exploring broader opportunities and fostering international sales of both new and existing titles from the Be-Entertainment catalog. He has previously worked at Endemol, Talpa and Disney across two decades. “We are at a pivotal moment in Be-Entertainment’s journey, and with Erik on board, we’re set on a path of substantial growth and exploration of new business opportunities,” said Be-Entertainment MD Gepke Nederlof. “His extensive experience and wide-reaching network across the media industry, along with his entrepreneurial spirit, make him ideally suited to propel our expansion forward.”
