Philippe Alessandri


French prodcos launch Kids First Distribution firm

Paris-based producers Watch Next Media and Monello Productions have pooled resources to create sales company Kids First Distribution. Watch Next founder and former Télé Images chief Philippe Alessandri is chairing the business, and French animation industry sales veteran Marie Lassal has been named head of sales. Watch Next and Monello have equal shareholdings, with French […]

Canal+, Watch Next on board Elvis toon

France’s Canal+ has joined development of Spanish toon I, Elvis Riboldi. Canal+ and Philippe Alessandri’s Watch Next Media will co-develop the  52x11mins series with newly-established Barcelona prodco Peekaboo Animation and Catalan studios Insomne Estudi and Wuji House. The Spanish firms were already involved. I, Elvis Riboldi follows the adventures of an energetic and impulsive boy, […]

Alessandri named French toon body chair

Watch Next Media founder Philippe Alessandri has been named chairman of the French Animation Producers’ Association (Syndicat des Producteurs de Films d’Animation [SPFA]). Alessandri succeeds Xilam’s Marc du Pontavice, and will hold the post for the next two years. Samka Productions’ Samuel Kaminka has been named chairman of the SPFA’s Television and New Media Commission, […]

Alessandri’s indie scores France Télévisions deal

Philippe Alessandri’s new Paris-based indie Watch Next Media has scored its first major programming deal. France Télévisions has put Watch Next’s Nate is Late (pictured) into development, with production due to begin in spring 2016. The 52x11mins show comes from Sylvain Huchet and Peter Saisselin (Gawayn, Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks), and follows a pair of […]

Zodiak’s Alessandri resurfaces with French indie

Former Télé Images Productions president Philippe Alessandri has returned to the fold by launching an animation and drama-focused indie producer in Paris. WatchNext Media will look to create shows with “engaging brands and aspirational stories” for the international market. It will also focus on properties that can work as television series, apps and licensing products. […]

Alessandri exits Zodiak as Runel takes French post

Philippe Alessandri is exiting Zodiak Media, with Benoît Runel upped to run the former’s prodco, Télé Images Productions, and fellow French kids firm Marathon Media, TBI has learned. Runel (pictured) takes the newly-created role of managing director, Zodiak Kids, France following the change, which is effective immediately. Alessandri departs after 16 years at Télé Images, […]

New animation chief for Tele Images after Welter exit

French producer Tele Images has hired a new senior VP, animation to replace Giorgio Welter. Gladys Morchoisne takes up the new role on Monday (November 18), having previously been head of fellow French toon producer Futurikon’s studio and development slate. Her appointment comes after Welter exited Zodiak Media-owned Tele Images at the end of September. […]

New partners for Jo Nesbo political thriller

Franco-German channel Arte and Zodiak Media’s French drama producer GTV have joined Norway’s NRK on an original political thriller series from acclaimed scriptwriter Jo Nesbø, TBI can reveal. The French companies are now onboard Occupied, a 10x45mins thriller from another Zodiak drama producer, Norway’s Yellow Bird, which is best known as the producer and rights […]

Breton leaves Zodiak’s Marathon, Alessandri appointed CEO

Pascal Breton, the co-founder of Marathon, has stepped down as CEO of the French production company. He will be succeeded at the Zodiak Media-owned firm by Philippe Alessandri who is currently CEO of Tele Images Productions. “Pascal Breton has decided to pursue new personal projects and to concentrate on being an independent producer,” Zodiak said […]