Off the Fence Secures Asia Deals

AMSTERDAM, March 20: Independent
producer and distributor Off the Fence has generated new deals on its wildlife
programming in Asia, including licensing three wildlife documentaries to South
Korean cable channel Joongang.

Joongang has acquired the
1×1-hour Scavengers of the Sea,
produced by Saint Thomas and Canal+, which reveals sharks as opportunistic
scavengers; and the 1×1-hour Mountain Rivals, co-produced with Clyde Films for the Discovery
Channel, which explores the ancient rivalry between the black eagle and the
caracal. Joongang also renewed its rights to the 13×1-hour series The Whole
Story, an alternative guide to
Africa’s most fascinating wildlife co-produced with Talking Pictures for
Discovery Networks Europe and International.

In another deal, Off the
Fence has licensed the one-hour documentary A Kingdom for the Dzanga
Gorillas to KBS in South Korea.
Produced by MC4 and Matin &
Soir Films for Canal+, Canal+ Horizons, Centre Nationale de la Cinematographie,
Planete and Discovery HD Theatre, the documentary features Italian scientist
Chloe Cipoletta, who has dedicated her life to protecting and studying a family
of lowland gorillas in the Congo forest.

Hong Kong’s Phoenix
Satellite has also picked up the 90-minute El Che, an investigation into the legend behind Che
Guevara, produced by Cineteve and Igeldo Communication.

Rosie Flynn, a sales
executive for Off the Fence, noted: “The programs acquired are ideal for the
Asian market—since taking over sales to the region last year, a trend has
become apparent, with broadcasters displaying a healthy appetite for programs
with high production values and strong subject matter. I am confident that
there will be many more Off the Fence programs will find a home in the region.”