News round-up: MIPTV embraces FAST; German copro scheme joins All3’s ‘Messenger’; C4 & NFTS strike three-year pact

MIPTV 2022

MIPTV embraces FAST

MIPTV a FAST-focused “channel summit” to take place during its April event in Cannes.

FAST & Global will explore the rapidly-expanding international opportunities for content producers, IP right sholders, buyers and commissioners.

MIPTV organisers RX Media said that a series of “talks, insights and structured networking opportunities” would “take center stage” in the Palais des Festivals on the second day of the event (Tuesday 18 April).

Speakers confirmed include FAST-channel programming experts Gary Woolf (All3Media International), Shaun Keeble (Banijay Rights), Daniel Nordberg (Playground TV), Cédric Dufour (Rakuten TV Europe), Bea Hegedus (Vice Media Group) and Philipp Rotermund (Video Solutions AG / wedotv.com).

German copro group FabFiction joins All3’s Messenger

FabFiction in Germany – a coproduction scheme backed by regional broadcaster ARD – has boarded The Messenger, the upcoming drama from ITV Studios-owned Lingo Pictures.

The show is based on Markus Zusak’s best-selling novel of the same name and has been ordered by the ABC in Australia in association with All3Media International.

The deal with FabFiction, which comprises ARD’s public broadcasters NDR, SWR and WDR, was negotiated by All3Media International’s VP for Germany, Benelux, Austria & Switzerland Jonathan Hughes and Frank Tönsmann (WDR) for the FabFiction-Initiative.

The Messenger will be one of the first titles to join FabFiction’s slate, which is dedicated to investing in quality scripted content telling unique and innovative stories with the goal of supporting creative talent.

The eight-part series received major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC and was financed with support from Screen NSW. All3Media International is managing international sales.

C4 & NFTS strike three-year pact

Channel 4 and the National Film and Television School (NFTS) have struck a new three-year partnership to provide practical training and development for the independent production sector across the UK.

The partnership will develop and deliver a range of free face-to-face and online training sessions targeting specific industry skills gaps. It is being produced and co-ordinated by the NFTS and Channel 4’s Leeds-based 4Skills team and aims to provide training for people looking to kickstart or enhance their careers.

The new scheme follows a similar initative last year, which saw the NFTS and 4Skills deliver two weeks of free online training sessions and masterclasses featuring insights from industry professionals.