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Candilis returns to Banijay in scripted role

European production giant Banijay has brought Takis Candilis back into the business to increase its investment in scripted content.

Takis Candilis

Candilis was the group’s head of scripted before leaving to join France Télévisions in 2018.

He is now returning as a senior advisor to drive coproduction and new IP opportunities across southern Europe.

As deputy MD of broadcast and programming at the French pubcaster, he has spent the past two years supervising programming and editorial strategy for the group’s national channels.

The entrepreneur, who started his career as an independent producer, has also held leadership roles at TF1, Lagardère Entertainment, Tara Productions and Caméras Continentales.

At Banijay, Candilis was previously charged with expanding international activity in the scripted space. In his new capacity as an advisor, he will focus on identifying and setting up coproductions and high-end scripted projects in southern Europe.

Candilis will partner CEO Marco Bassetti and the group’s core leadership team. His role compliments that of Lars Blomgren, who now manages non-English-language content for the group as head of scripted for EMEA.

Bassetti said: “While unscripted continues to be at the core of Banijay, we have undoubtedly amplified our scripted efforts through the latest acquisition [of Endemol Shine Group].

“Teaming our increased ambition in the drama space with the ample opportunity in the market, we are sure, with Takis, we can further grow our international pipeline and strategically drive up southern European owned-IP for our catalogue.”

Candilis added: “Banijay was always an inspiring, ambitious and ultimately creative business but over the past few months it has rapidly expanded and become a leading player in the scripted space.

“It’s a great time to be returning as the group continues to innovate and I look forward to working with the team to identify original premium IP projects and collaboration opportunities across southern Europe.”

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