News round-up: ZDF Studios, Non Stop & La Sagrada Familia team for F1 doc; Newen Studios acquires Digital Banana & takes Brain Comet stake; WE tv picks up ‘S.W.A.T’

Juan Manuel Fangio (Source ZDF Studios)

ZDF Studios, Non Stop & La Sagrada Familia team for F1 doc

ZDF Studios, Non Stop Studios and La Sagrada Familia have partnered on a series about the life of Argentinean Formula 1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio.

The series will explores the early years of Formula 1 and includes interviews with Fangio’s sons: Juan Carlos, Rubén and Oscar Fangio.

The series will be filmed in Latin America and locations in Europe, recreating the times and places where Fangio became a legend.  Non Stop Studios and La Sagrada Familia will work with Spanish production company Cacao & Cía, a joint venture between iZen Group and Non Stop Studios, and ZDF Studios of Germany.

Newen Studios acquires Digital Banana & takes Brain Comet stake

Newen Studios is expanding its presence in animation with the acquisition of Digital Banana and a minority stake in Brain Comet.

Launched in 2005, Digital Banana is an audiovisual and digital projects development firm led by Charles Beirnaert, also known as John Banana. The company has worked on video game cinematics and trailers, advertisements, animated series and films.

Brain Comet is also managed by Beirnaert, with the company specialising in developing concepts for series and films using various animation techniques under the leadership of producer Nicolas Monteiro.

Olivier Lelardoux, CEO of Blue Spirit, said: “The arrival of Digital Banana and Brain Comet within the Blue Spirit family of the Newen Studios group promises to be a fantastic adventure. The merger of Digital Banana’s talents and expertise with Blue Spirit’s teams represents a significant step forward, greatly enriching our creative offering.

WE tv picks up ‘S.W.A.T’

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has licensed the non-exclusive cable rights to all six seasons of action drama S.W.A.T.  to WE tv, part of AMC Networks, in the US.

The series will make its cable debut on WE tv on Sunday, 12 November. Inspired by the television series and the feature film of the same name, S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and S.W.A.T. sergeant, tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles.

S.W.A.T. is one of those high-octane procedurals that continues to captivate audiences and grow its viewership,” said Monica Veiga, SVP, US Distribution, Sony Pictures Television.  “We’re thrilled to partner with AMC Networks to bring this fan-favorite to their viewers.

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