Banijay acquires majority stake in David Mandil’s Israeli indie MoviePlus Productions

True-crime drama Embezzlement

European production giant Banijay has expanded its operations in Israel with the acquisition of a majority stake in local drama producer MoviePlus Productions.

Banijay has taken a 51% stake in MoviePlus, an independent Israeli production company specialising in drama series, documentaries and feature-length films.

Established by David Mandil, the company has a track record in internationally popular local drama series, which was built on the likes of Our Boys for HBO and Embezzlement for YES Studios.

Beyond drama series, MoviePlus Productions is behind Academy Award-nominated films Footnote and Beaufort; A Tale of Love & Darkness, in which Natalie Portman made her directorial debut; and Norman by Joseph Cedar, starring Richard Gere, Steve Buscemi and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

As part of Banijay, MoviePlus Productions will retain its identity and will continue to be operated by founding CEO Mandil. As part of the deal, its forthcoming titles will now be distributed by Banijay Rights.

The scripted division of Endemol Shine Israel also continues to operate separately under the guidance of head of drama Gal Zaid. Its credits include Valley of Tears, which launched on IPBC and was picked up by HBO Max, and Queens, which has been sold into several territories in recent years.