Banijay Kids & Family has acquired British drama specialist Kindle Entertainment and Italian animation company Movimenti Production. The deal brings the total production numbers of his Banijay divisions focused on youth in France, England and Italy to six, alongside his Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution, distribution, marketing and licensing divisions. .
London-based, female-led Kindle Entertainment is behind family dramas such as premium YA and Sky limited series. little darlings and Netflix Teen Mysteries A-listAlso just started the trilogy ivy + bean The streamer’s family movie starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jane Lynch and more.
Lionsgate has owned a minority stake in the business since late 2015. Deadline understands that today’s news was preceded by a buyout and Banijay’s deal was made directly with the founder.
Founded in 2004 and based in Milan, Florence and Rome, Movimenti is behind Rai’s. Topo Gigio and Netflix’s tear along the dotted lineHe also co-created ForFun Media – The Animation Network (which includes 2D studio DogHead Animation and 3D production studio MoBo) with Studio Bozzetto and in 2019 partnered with publishing network Auzou, based in Paris. Created Easy Peasy Entertainment, an indie animator.
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The deal represents a major move in International Kids Space, which has seen very little M&A in recent years, and in 2018 Moonscoop Group co-founder Benoît Di Sabatino bought the division. It’s been one of the biggest Bunny Jay Kids and Families plays since they took over. Zodiac Kids.
Giorgio Scorza and Davide Rosio, CEOs of Movimenti Production, said: From now on, we will work with new partners within Banijay Kids & Family to further strengthen the production of original, innovative and high-quality content that can conquer the international market. Local first continues to be important and we continue to bet on exceptional professionals we want to work with, now and in the future, to bring the excellence of Italian talent in animation to an increasingly global level. “
Melanie Stokes MD of Kindle Entertainment said: Kindle Entertainment is passionate about bringing premium YA and 4-Quad dramas to audiences around the world. It’s a very exciting time to be in this space and we can’t think of a better partner to help us realize our ambition to produce better blockbusters than ever before. “
Stokes and Anne Brogan have run the London-based Kindle since 2007 and have won several International Kids Emmy Awards and BAFTA Children’s Awards. The sale of the company to Banijay is his second for a British indie to be sold to a French company this week, and yesterday his purchase of Parisian drama powerhouse Vertigo Films was confirmed.
Banijay Kids & Family CEO Di Sabatino said: For Banijay Kids & Family, this is a pivotal moment. As we continue to grow our footprint and remain a major player in this highly competitive market. I look forward to working with passionate and creative producers such as Melanie, Anne, Giorgio and David and their incredibly talented team. We are proud to offer a wide range of live and animated premium programming to medium-sized broadcasters. “