First Hand Films Secures Range of European Deals

ZURICH: First Hand Films has clinched a number of deals across Europe for a slate of the company’s factual-entertainment content.

In Scandinavia, DR in Denmark pre-bought Dolphin Boy, while SVT in Sweden acquired the documentary Love Hate Love, which is executive produced by Sean Penn. SVT also snapped up The DeVilles, a lifestyle show about a burlesque stripper and her punk rock husband.

YLE in Finland picked up Erasing David, a documentary that highlights one man’s efforts to challenge government and private surveillance.

In France, Dolphin Boy has been acquired by Arte, while Planète Cable snapped up the Oscar-nominated feature film Burma VJ.

And in Ireland, RTE picked up several titles, including Aung San Suu Kyi: Lady Of No Fear (a key program on First Hand Films’ upcoming MIPTV lineup), Winnebago Man:The Angriest Man in the World, Dancing with the Devil, Pirate Hunting and others. TG4 also acquired Prison Island Bastøy.

Esther van Messel, the CEO of First Hand Films, said: “Over the years we have built strong partnerships with leading broadcasters. These deals highlight the continued need for ambitious and accessible documentaries, in particular those that are edgy and offer thought-provoking content to an ever-demanding viewing public.”