Banijay Elevates Premium Scripted Offering in Italy with Grenlandia Group

Banijay today confirms Italian premium scripted producer, Gr enlandia Group, will join its local holding - Banijay Italy. Led by film directors and producers, Matteo Rovere and Sydney Sibilia, the label has an outstanding reputation for films realised for cinema, television, streamers and also for the creation of TV series, and in joining the business, further cements its international expanding ambitions.

Gr enlandia also encompasses Ascent Films, founded and managed by Andrea Paris, who will keep operating in the Group, in which it has had a majority stake since 2014. The latter is an award-winning producer of theatrical releases, short films and documentaries, which is focused on identifying and establishing new talent and unearthing stories yet to be told.

Born in 2014, Gr enlandia was built on the mantra - ideas beyond borders - and since its inception, has been dedicated to creating quality content that can travel the world. In just a few years, it has already enjoyed success via a host of high-profile film titles including Romulus & Remus: The First King (Il Primo Re) by Matteo Rovere; Masterclass and Ad Honorem - the two sequels of the I Can Quit Whenever I Want (Smetto Quando Voglio) saga by Sydney Sibilia, also author of Rose Island (L'Incredibile Storia dell'Isola delle Rose); films directed by Simone Godano, Husband & Wife, An Almost Ordinary Summer, and Marilyn has black eyes; The Champion by Leonardo D'Agostini; The Beast, an elevated action movie directed by Ludovico Di Martino and, many others. The entity is also behind TV series Romulus, winner of the Nastro d'Argento 2021 award as best series and TV movie, Carosone, the biopic of the great musician Renato Carosone, directed by Lucio Pellegrini, as well as many other upcoming films and series.

Matteo Rovere, Chief Executive Officer of Gr enlandia Group comments: Gr enlandia continues its adventure by joining the Banijay group, a world giant of independent production and distribution with an Italian heart, both in the management and in the shareholding; characteristics that are fundamental for us in making a choice that I hope will give us new working tools and relationships with colleagues from many countries, who like us, try to do their best to reach audiences around the world. We want to give even more strength to our ideas, but also to maintain the objectives now established, including the discovery of young talent, the centrality of the theatre, linguistic innovation, inclusiveness and sustainable productions.

Paolo Bassetti, President and Country Manager of Banijay Italia Holding comments: We feel privileged to be welcoming such a wealth of dynamic talent into the group via Gr enlandia, which truly shares our vision for independent, cross-border storymaking. With an exceptional track record and impressive slate in-play for 2022 alone, Matteo and Sydney, along with Ascent Films, bring huge value to our world-class creative hub here in Italy. Signalling our first move into film, this new partnership will rapidly expand our already diverse client base and broaden the horizons for us in the premium scripted market.

Marco Bassetti Chief Executive Officer, Banijay comments: Banijay has made no secret of its ambitions to increase its foothold in the premium scripted space and by welcoming Gr enlandia, we are making a significant move in widening our capacity to deliver high-end TV as well as feature-length films. Entrepreneurs, as well as directors and showrunners, Matteo and Sydney are strong leaders and we hope the group will provide an independent and supportive home for them free of any creative restraint, where they can deliver premium material that crosses clients, as well as borders.

Banijay Italy has already built a strong track record in the scripted field, with works realised both for Rai, such as A Professor (Un Professore); Lea A New Day (Lea Un Nuovo Giorno); The Bride (La Sposa), Hearts (Cuori), Ladies' Paradise (Il Paradiso delle Signore), and for Mediaset: Light of my eyes (Luce dei miei occhi), Fosca Innocenti. For Amazon specifically, Banijay has produced Ferro, The Ferragnez and Laura Pausini Pleased to Meet You.

Dedicated to retaining IP, Gr enlandia already has 10 new titles in development for 2022 alone. The scripted deal is the latest for Banijay, which recently sealed a partnership with award-winning French producer, Alain Goldman via his production entities, Pitchipo Productions and Montmartre Films (previously L gende Films).

LINK:	https://www.banijay.com/blog/2022/03/22/banijay-elevates-premium-scrip...
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