TVNZ picks up Finestripe menopause docs as TVFI closes sales down under

Gambit Pictures’ historical doc Castro’s Spies

New Zealand pubcaster TVNZ has acquired two documentaries, Sex, Myths and the Menopause (1×60’) and its follow-up Sex, Mind & the Menopause (1×60’), from TVF International (TVFI) in one of several deals agreed down under by the London-based distributor.

Both shows are presented by Davina McCall and were produced by Finestripe Productions for Channel 4 in the UK.

TVFI also revealed other sales ahead of the Australia International Documentary Conference, which starts this Sunday.

Maori Television has picked up wildlife series Animal Instincts (8×50’), made by NHK Enterprises, as well as Asian Art Stories (6×30’) from Diva Productions, plus 1×52’ BBC arts biopic Basquait: From Rags to Riches.

Australia’s SBS has ordered food docuseries Food Chain: From Source to Table (8×48’) and South Korea’s Debt Bomb: The Truth Behind Squid Game, both originally commissioned by Channel News Asia. It also took history title Castro’s Spies (1×103’/1×50’) from Gambit Pictures; Indian Space Dreams (1×52’) from Sequoia Films in association with Spring Films; Inferno: Letters from Auschwitz (1×50) from NHK Documentary; and Untold Arctic Wars (6×52’), made by NTRNZ Media.

Meanwhile, Australian pubcaster ABC has acquired CNA environmental series Smart Cities (8×23’) for its Education channel.

UK-based streamer Britbox has taken Hidden Villages (12×48′) and Hidden Coastal Villages (3×48′), two travel docuseries originally commissioned by Channel 4 and hosted by Dame Penelope Keith.

Finally, TVFI has also licensed the rights to distribute titles from Australia and New Zealand including Garage Dreams (26×26’) from Broken Arrow and Journey Media; Australia from Above (5×52’) made by RJ Media; and Carbon (1×60/90’) from Genepool and Handful of Films.