ZDF Studios drama VP Robert Franke to become co-MD at Intaglio Films

Germany’s ZDF Studios has made personnel changes in its fiction sales division, with VP of drama Robert Franke set to become co-MD of ZDF and Beta Film scripted joint venture Intaglio Films and Tim Gerhatz set to step into Franke’s current role on an interim basis.

Robert Franke

The senior leadership reshuffle is to allow Franke to focus on production at Berlin-based Intaglio Films, where he has served as MD alongside Jan Wünschmann since it was launched in 2018.

Intaglio develops, finances and produces drama for the international market, with ZDF and Beta advising the company on international coproductions and distribution. It is behind hit ecological thriller series The Swarm, produced by Schwarm TV Productions, a joint venture between Intaglio and ndF.

The drama division at ZDF Studios will be led from the new year by Gerhartz, who will assume the role alongside his current responsibilities as chief commercial officer overseeing global distribution.

The fiction unit is responsible for marketing ZDF’s scripted programming output, international coproductions and original content development.

Dr Markus Schäfer, president and CEO of ZDF Studios, said: “For 10 years, Robert Franke has successfully overseen the development, financing and distribution of fictional programming at ZDF Studios. Under his leadership, our fiction business has grown significantly.

Tim Gerhartz

“We respect his wish to refocus on his producing talents and are delighted that he will bring his deep expertise and experience in developing and financing international fiction projects to Intaglio Films. Robert leaves behind a well-positioned division that Tim Gerhartz, together with the team, will continue to strengthen in this key genre.”

Franke said: “After more than 10 rewarding years with the company, it is time for me to redefine my priorities.

“Expanding my role at Intaglio Films brings together the core aspects of my previous work while giving me the freedom to focus on topics that will shape my work in the coming years. At the same time, it opens up opportunities to set new impulses beyond traditional production business. I would like to thank my team and ZDF Studios for their trust and collaboration over the past years.”