Pier 21 sales deal a stroll for eOne

North American studio Entertainment One has signed a first-look deal with veteran producer Laszlo Barna’s Canadian company Pier 21 Films.

The deal covers Pier 21’s entire slate of scripted and unscripted programmes and lasts for two years.

Toronto- and LA-based eOne has recently scored similar agreements with Canadian firms such as Amaze Film and Television, ICF Films, Nomadic Pictures and Big Motion Pictures.

Pier 21 is behind telemovies such as Jack, which told the story of Canadian politician Layton; internationally coproduced unscripted format Treasures Decoded; and two-part miniseries Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story II.

“eOne is the best distributor in the country,” said Barna, Pier 21’s president. “They have tremendous reach because of their offices in Toronto, Los Angeles and London and given the financial challenges of today this first-look deal makes a lot of sense.”

“eOne strives to be involved with the best producers in the country and Pier 21 will undoubtedly complement our strong portfolio with more great content from Canada,” added Margaret O’Brien, eOne Canada’s president and COO.