AB, Arte and Xilam pick up French distribution gongs

French distributors’ trade body TVFI has awarded AB International Distribution, Arte France and Xilam Animation top honours in its annual awards.

AB beat TF1 International and EuropaCorp to win the drama category for Desperate Parents, the comedy series from French prodco Elephant Story and which has sold as a finished show and a format.

In the docs category Arte beat other nominees Zed and Lagardère Entertainment Rights with its Football Rebels project. The doc was made by 13 Productions/Canto Bros, and in World Cup year, gave an alternative voew of the world of football.

In terms of programming exports, France has long been one of the leading territories for kids content. Xilam Animation won the export award for its animated comedy series Oggy and the Cockroaches (pictured), beating Newen with Loopidoo and Mediatoon with Yakari. Xilam has now shopped the animnated show into 150 territories.

French TV programming sales to international markets were up 8% to €137.1 million in the latest reporting period, the highest total since 2001. Animation was the strongest category of programming.