MediaWorks Three Commissions Toke from Screentime

Banijay Group’s Screentime New Zealand, which is behind the new drama series The Gulf, is producing a TV movie, Toke, for broadcast by MediaWorks Three in 2020.

The film is the first feature-length script from writer Kewana Duncan (Ngāti Tara, Tokanui). Set in a sleepy New Zealand town, it focuses on three underachieving orchard workers who accidentally grow a strong strain of marijuana and are drawn into the drug trade. “Toke is a mad-cap, entertaining caper set in a hearty remote Māori community,” Duncan said. “I am thrilled to continue working with the experienced drama producers at Screentime to reflect a part of small-town Aotearoa to a prime-time audience.”

Philly de Lacey, executive producer and CEO of Screentime New Zealand, added, “We’re so proud to be partnering with Kewana Duncan on his first-ever feature-length script. Championing diversity on and off-screen, Toke is the perfect balance of drama and comedy, and we can’t wait to shine a light on these areas and stories that rarely make it to screen.”

Screentime New Zealand’s The Gulf will be on offer from Banijay Rights this MIPCOM.