Scripted formats have been around for more than 50 years, with 1960s UK sitcoms Til Death Do Us Part and Steptoe & Son being among the first examples, adapted in the US in the 70s as All in the Family and Sandford & Sons respectively.
More recently – since the boom in demand for original drama began around 10 years ago, often driven by cable channels getting into original production and the arrival of SVoD services hungry for their own drama series to make them stand out – demand for scripted formats has exploded too.
So although the International Format Awards usually feature unscripted content, the immense creativity involved in creating and adapting scripted programming is certainly worth celebrating, particularly since that part of the IP licensing
business is now so important.
In terms of entry criteria, these are scripted shows – either comedy or drama – that have been adapted for local production in territories outside their country of origin. The first episode of the remake should have aired in the new territory during 2019.
The finalists in this category include six formats from around the world, encompassing productions and IP from Canada, Germany, Italy, Australia, the UK and the US. From Germany come two shows: Der Pass, from Endemol Shine-backed prodco
Wiedemann & Berg TV for Sky Germany, and Rampensau, from UFA Serial Drama for Vox.
Based on well-travelled Nordic drama format The Bridge, Der Pass is a murder mystery set in the Alps, distributed by Endemol Shine Group. Rampensau, meanwhile, is distributed by Dori Media International. The show is based on an original format called Dumb, which is owned and produced by Dori Media for HOT in Israel.
Two finalists this year are from French Canada: Troubled Waters from ICI ARTV and Plan B from ICI Radio-Canada. Produced by Monteal’s KOTV and Productions Bliktv of Ottawa, Troubled Waters is a detective series distributed
by Radio-Canada/CBC.
Plan B, meanwhile, is another KOTV series, this one following a company that offers people the chance to go back in time to correct past mistakes. It has already begun being adapted for local audiences in English-speaking Canada (via CBC) and France (TF1). KO Distribution is shopping the show and format worldwide.
Almost Family, a drama that aired on US network Fox after being adapted from Australian series Sisters, is also in the mix. Produced by Endemol Shine North America, the US show follows what happens when a fertility doctor (played by Timothy
Hutton) uses his own sperm to conceive at least 100 children. It is distributed by Endemol Shine Group.
Rounding out the list of finalists for Best Scripted Format is drama Non Mentire, an Italian show produced by Indigo Film for Canale 5. Adapted from an original format called Liar that UK-based Two Brothers Pictures produced for ITV, the show is about a relationship based on a lie and its far-reaching consequences. The show and format are distributed by All3Media International, parent company of Two Brothers Pictures.
The International Format Awards are this year being presented on C21Media.net, surrounded by a series of digital initiatives that celebrate the best in creativity from all around the world, held in association with Frapa, EMC and MipFormats on June 25, with finalists in each category being announced daily.
Watch out for the finalists in the Best Studio Based Format category tomorrow on C21Media.net.
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