Banijay Rights Representing New Musical Films

Banijay Rights has acquired the global distribution rights to two musical features involving the Emmy Award-nominated composer and rock maestro Ben Folds.

This includes My Name’s Ben Folds, I Play Piano, documenting a symphonic concert with Folds and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. It follows the rock pianist’s creation of a new song from scratch live on stage, with audience participation.

Folds gets the crowd to sing a choral refrain in three-part harmony, which he incorporates in the song.

Banijay Rights is also now representing The Musical Mind: A Portrait in Process, exploring the power of the musical brain. Inspired by the 25th anniversary of Shine, director Scott Hicks reveals the creative process of elite international musicians. It links four musicians: David Helfgott (subject of Shine), Folds, Australian rock star Daniel Johns and Simon Tedeschi, who was handle double for the young David in Shine.

Both films comes from Hicks and producers Kerry Heysen and Jett Heysen-Hicks and are produced by Beyond May 30 Entertainment in association with Banijay Rights.

“These are two unique and highly entertaining premium documentary features that showcase world-class musical talent and the inner workings of their craft,” said Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights. “Both are excellent additions to our MIPCOM lineup, and we’re in no doubt they will be highly sought after by international buyers in Cannes.”

Hicks added, “I’m delighted to be working with Banijay Rights on the release of my latest music-based documentary features, celebrating superstar musicians in their private worlds and exploring their unique creative processes.”