Endemol Shine, Black Sheep link in France

Endemol Shine France has struck a co-development and coproduction deal with Paris-based producer Black Sheep Films.

Created by Augustin Bernard and Mathieu Van de Velde in 2016, Black Sheep specialises in French- and English-language fiction targeting young adults for local and international platforms and broadcasters. Its productions include Patricia Moore (9×12’) for French streaming platform Blackpills.

The deal with the Fiction arm of Endemol Shine France covers the whole of Black Sheep’s slate and reinforces Endemol Shine’s presence in young-adult fiction in the region, driven by OTT platforms and emerging digital players.

Endemol Shine France was formed by a merger between the respective Endemol and Shine outfits in the territory in 2017. They had initially remained separate following the earlier merger of Endemol, Shine and Core Media.

Endemol France president Nicholas Copperman was chosen to lead the new outfit and said of this latest partnership: “This strengthens the development of our fiction strategy based on new talents whose potential can be multiplied by joining forces.

“Augustin Bernard and Mathieu Van de Velde have convinced us with their first achievements, an outstanding line-up and their approach to the market. The perspective to conquer new audiences through common projects is truly exciting.”

Van de Velde added: “Audiences’ globalisation is allowing us to develop original and local stories with incredibly high international potential, driven by a new generation of talents. As we increasingly transition into a non-linear environment, being innovative in terms of stories, formats and distribution is an absolute prerequisite in order to reach our audience where it sits.”