Banijay Kids & Family expands its portfolio with Kindle Entertainment and Movimenti Production
-Drama and animation acquisitions bolster Banijay’s growth
Child and Family Division–
London, 8 September 2022: Banijay Kids & Family today confirms that it has acquired British drama specialists, Kindle Entertainment and Italian production company and animation-focused creative hub, Movimenti Production. A global leader in the children’s entertainment industry, the expansive international division Banijay Kids & Family is now home to six production labels in France, the UK and Italy, together with its distribution, marketing and licensing group, Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution.
Based in London, the award-winning, female-led Kindle Entertainment was established in 2007. Under the direction of Drs Melanie Stokes and Anne Brogan, the company is behind premium youth and family dramas, including limited series, Little darlings (Sky), teenage mystery, The A list (Netflix) and has just released a trilogy of family films, Ivy and Bean (Netflix). With a strong track record and an impressive slate, the label is known for creating rich and diverse stories, which have won numerous accolades including International Kids Emmys and BAFTA Children’s Awards. Most recently, the duo received an industry tribute as Pact’s Producers of Disruption, Innovation and Creativity.
Founded in 2004 with bases in Milan, Florence and Rome, Movimenti Production has created and produced renowned animated television series, feature films and short films such as Gigio mouse (Topo Gigio Srl, Rai) i Tearing along the dotted line (Netflix). Together with the iconic Studio Bozzetto, the label also created ForFun Media – The Animation Network (including the 2D studio DogHead Animation and the 3D production studio MoBo), one of the first in the Italian industry. Additionally, in 2019, the business teamed up with the Auzou publishing network to create Easy Peasy Entertainment, the independent animation production company based in Paris. Led by Giorgio Scorza (CEO, Director and Art Director) and Davide Rosio (CEO, Director and Art Director), the company has established itself as a leading mover in the youth animation space, and as a solid preschool and children’s animation. partner, with high quality standards, both in the Italian and international markets.
Benoit Di Sabatino, CEO of Banijay Kids & Family “Kindle Entertainment and Movimenti Production will be free family additions, both bringing their own unique experience, with a consistent track record of delivering premium entertainment. This is a key moment for Banijay Kids & Family as we continue to grow our footprint and we remain a key player in this competitive market. I look forward to working with such passionate and creative producers as Melanie, Anne, Giorgio, Davide and their incredibly talented teams as we embark on the next phase of our journey. From children to preschool through the whole home, we are proud to offer a wide range of premium live and animated shows to broadcasters around the world.”
Marco Bassetti, CEO of Banijay comments: “Since joining Banijay, Benoît has had big ambitions for the children’s portfolio. Little by little, building a healthy collective of labels, an impressive list of content and its own independent distribution engine, the division has gone from strength to strength. Adding Kindle Entertainment’s award-winning drama capabilities and Movimenti Production’s animation power will only further expand the growing group’s capabilities and appeal in this space.”
Melanie Stokes, MD, Kindle Entertainment: “We are very excited to join Benoit and his team at Banijay. Kindle Entertainment is passionate about creating Premium YA and 4-Quad Drama for a global audience. It is a very exciting time to be in this space and not we can think of no better partner to help us realize our ambitions to create better and better hit shows.”
Giorgio Scorza and Davide Rosio, CEO of Movimenti Production: “We are delighted to join a family, with whom we share core values such as the focus on creating stories and the constant search for the best way to do it. From now on we will work in synergy with our new partners within Banijay Kids & Family to give even more strength to our production of original, innovative and high quality content, capable of conquering the international market. The first venue remains key, and we will continue to bet on the extraordinary professionals we work with now, and hope to do so in the future, in order to bring the excellence of Italian talent in animation to an increasingly global level” .
Led by CEO Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family is the production, distribution and sales division dedicated to children’s programming of Banijay, the world’s largest independent content creation and distribution group for television and multimedia platforms. Home of Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution, Zodiak Kids & Family France, Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK, Monello Productions, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, Movimenti Production and Kindle Entertainment include featured credits. Danny and Mick, Lilybuds, Little Princess, Lolirock, Horrid Henry, Max and Master, Mister Maker, Marblegen, Mr Bean, Street Football, Mumfie, Ted’s Top Ten, The Secret Life of Boys, Totally Spies! When I was your ageyellow yeti, Gigio mouse, Tear Along the Dotted Line, Little Darlings, Hank Zipzeri Ivy and Bean
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For more information:
Rachel Hassall, Senior PR Manager @Banijay
T: + 44 (0) 7970606803
Rachel.Hassall@banijay.com
About Banijay Kids & Family
A global leader in the children’s entertainment industry, Banijay Kids & Family is the production, distribution and sales division dedicated to Banijay’s children’s programming. With a catalog of over 2,200 hours of content, Banijay Kids & Family partners with the world’s leading broadcasters and platforms and produces a wide range of animated and live-action series, digital content and entertainment formats for children and families around the world.
Banijay Kids & Family is home to Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution, Zodiak Kids & Family France, Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK, Monello Productions, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, Movimenti Production and Kindle Entertainment, which combine to feed and bring experience to a wide range of upcoming productions and a catalog of popular, creative and successful programming.
With offices in Paris and London, Banijay Kids & Family is led by CEO Benoit Di Sabatino.
About Banijay
Banijay is the largest producer and distributor of international content; home to more than 120 production companies in 22 territories and a multi-genre catalog with more than 130,000 hours of outstanding original programming.
A collective of creative entrepreneurs, the group represents some of the biggest global brands including Survivor, Big Brother, Peaky Blinders, Temptation Island, MasterChef, Wallander, Rogue Heroes, Mr Bean, The Wall, Hunted, Black Mirror, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition i To deal or not to deal among others. Imagining and delivering high-quality multi-genre IP that was born locally and travels around the world, the company delivers the best stories told in the best way.
Founded on independence, creative freedom, entrepreneurship and commercial acumen, the company, created in 2008, operates under the direction of CEO Marco Bassetti.
About FL Entertainment
Founded by Stéphane Courbit, a pioneer and entrepreneur in the entertainment industry for 30 years, FL Entertainment Group is a global leader in multimedia content and gaming, combining the strengths of Banijay, the distributor of independent producers largest in the world, with Betclic Everest Group, the fastest growing group. Online sports betting platform in Europe. In 2021, FL Entertainment through Banijay and Betclic Everest Group recorded combined revenue and adjusted EBITDA of €3.5 billion and €609 million, respectively. FL Entertainment is listed on Euronext Amsterdam in July 2022.
ISIN: NL0015000X07 – Bloomberg: FLE NA – Reuters: FLE.AS
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