Distraction Touting Diverse MIPCOM Slate

MONTREAL, September 29:
Distraction’s offerings for MIPCOM include a range of formats from Canada, the
U.S., Germany, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Finland, among other markets.

From the Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Distraction is offering Front Page Challenge, a game show that has been revamped from the
original hit that aired some 40 years ago, and Past Life Investigation, a paranormal format that looks into the
subconscious of the participants through regression hypnosis. Other fare coming
out of Canada includes the Quebec-produced Make it Short. The 25-episode series watches as aspiring
filmmakers compete for recognition in the industry.

From RTL2 in Germany comes
Chefs on a Mission, a cooking
format that features three celebrity chefs coming together to help restaurants
in need.

Also in the
reality-competition genre is Musicbiz from Australia. The show features a nationwide search for talented
songwriters, stylists, filmmakers and producers who will all battle it out for
a spot in one of three creative teams, which then go head to head to find the
next music sensation.

Your Money Sorted, from Australasia, is a financial-makeover format
that helps people get their financial lives under control with the guidance of
experts.

The Italian
reality-entertainment format Passing the Buck follows two bank notes around the country and the
people that they come in contact with. The show uses the idea of “six-degrees
of separation” to look inside the lives of everyday people and how they spend
their money.

From the U.S., World’s
Funniest Moments is available as a
format and a ready-made program. The 13×30-minute series looks at the best home
videos from TV and the Internet. Jury Duty is also available as a format and a ready-made. The series is a
reality courtroom format where celebrities resolve disputes. Also from the U.S.
is Tokyopop, a diverse
catalogue of finished content, including animation, cars and fighting, all
available for worldwide distribution.

Distraction will also be
showcasing its library of 5,000 new Funny Animal Video clips from Brad Lachman, the U.S. producer behind
a range of animal series.

Distraction’s president, Michel
Rodrigue, commented: “This is perhaps the most international slate we have
had, with a good variety of content from eight different territories. I believe
it is a strong reflection of what the market is looking for.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski