News round-up: SeriesFest expands line-up; ‘Cleaning Masters’ format travels to Russia; NENT Studios UK picks up 40 hours of Crackit content

SeriesFest

SeriesFest updates line-up

SeriesFest has revealed new additions to its previously announced line-up ahead of the launch of its sixth annual international television festival tomorrow.

Moving online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival will be streaming screenings, panel discussion and workshops from 18-24 June.

New to this year’s roster of special network events is a screening of Apple TV+’s Ghostwriter, followed by a conversation with director Luke Matheny and Sesame Workshop’s SVP of creative development Kay Wilson Stallings.

There will also be screenings of hybrid drama Silent Rose, followed by a chat with director Mitch Dickman; Heredia Vision: The Quarantine Collection and anthology comedy series Hot Spot.

Also joining the previously announced line-up of talent joining special events and panels are Just A Rebel founder Aaliyah Williams on the ‘Innovation Talk with Teri Weinberg’; star Mattea Conforti and executive producer Joe Hill for AMC’s NOS4A2 season two premiere and panel; additional cast members Danny Pudi, Ashly Burch and Imani Hakim will participate in the Q&A tied to the Apple TV+ original Mythic Quest: Quarantine and new panelists Patrick Wimp, HaJ and Dahéli Hall will join the ‘Amplify Inclusion Through Independent Series’ panel.

Cleaning Masters

‘Cleaning Masters’ format travels to Russia’s UTV

Joint Stock Company has acquired the rights to the Cleaning Masters format, following a deal with Turkish distributors Global Agency.

Created by Turkey’s Talya Productions, the producers of Wardrobe Wars and Stylish Plus, the show will air on UTV in Russia.

The daytime show format sees contestants battle it out to clean up a dirty home with the aim of winning a big prize by doing the best job.

Cleaning Masters has been optioned in the US, France, Spain, Greece and Germany and 200 episodes have been aired in Turkey.

Izzet Pinto, CEO of Global Agency, commented: “In this show people will see how housework becomes fun. The first territory in the international market where it will be launched is Russia. The show continues with good ratings in Turkey. Since it is a new genre, we are seeing huge interest in the international market.”

Shoplifters: At War With The Law

NENT Studios UK picks up 40 hours of Crackit content

NENT Studios UK has acquired 40 hours of new programming for global distribution following an agreement with UK indie Crackit Productions.

Among the series are the recently announced 6 x 60-minute series Shoplifters: At War With The Law and the 6 x 60-minute A&E: After Dark, both of which were produced by Crackit for Channel 5 in the UK.

Shoplifters: At War With The Law focuses on the work of those trying to prevent thefts as well as the sophisticated methods employed by thieves to evade capture.

Meanwhile, A&E: After Dark provides viewers with exclusive access to the Hull Royal Infirmary in the north of England, revealing the challenges facing staff on night shifts – from traffic accidents to drunken mishaps.

Other titles in the package include two 6 x 60-minute series of true crime show Britain’s Deadliest Kids and a wide range of soon-to-be-announced factual series and specials for UK broadcasters.

Mette Kanne-Behrendsen, NENT Studios UK’s SVP acquisitions commented: “We are genuinely excited to be working with Crackit Productions and taking its newest content out into the international marketplace.”