Federation hires TF1’s head of drama Anne Viau following launch of prodco Quelle Aventure!

Anne Viau

Federation Studios has appointed former head of drama at TF1, Anne Viau, as a producer through her newly created company, Quelle Aventure!.

She said her new outfit will develop and produce “popular, compelling, high-quality fiction” for broadcasters and platforms in France and abroad.

Viau first worked as a screenwriter on French series for Canal+, France Télévisions and TF1, before joining the latter in 2011 as artistic advisor.

She was appointed head of drama in 2018, working on shows such as The Bonfire of Destiny and Women At War, as well as HPI, Balthazar, One Of Us and daily series, Tommorow is Ours and Ici Tout Commence.

Viau described the launch of Quelle Aventure! as “a new chapter of my professional life.”

She added: “This venture also allows me to return to my first love, which is writing and which is central to my new role as a producer, alongside attracting key talent and sourcing great stories.

Pascal Breton, Federation’s president, said: “Anne has already had two successful professional lives: first as a screenwriter, then as TF1’s Head of Drama. Along with the Federation teams, we’re eager to help Anne succeed in her third life as a producer, at a time when the need for fiction has reached unprecedented levels with French broadcasters.”

TF1 hired France Télévisions’ acting drama chief Anne Didier earlier this year to oversee its scripted output, after news of Viau’s exit broke. She became director of French drama for TF1 on 4 September, reporting to head of programmes & acquisitions, Fabrice Bailly.