Departure of senior exec comes as producer-distributor adapts strategy
Cineflix Rights head of scripted James Durie has left the company as it adapts its strategy “in response to shifting global demand”, Broadcast International has learned.
Durie was brought in to oversee all scripted operations at the Cineflix Media-backed distribution division in March 2020, as it increased its investment across drama production and distribution.
In his five years, he was responsible for leading the distributor’s global strategy for sales, pre-sales, acquisitions, and co-productions of scripted content, and was based out of London, reporting into Cineflix Media president Peter Emerson.
Durie had been a key player in expanding Cineflix’s scripted output, working on high-profile shows including Paramount+ commissions The Doll Factory and The Burning Girls, alongside hit returners such as Whitstable Pearl, Crime and Syfy’s genre tentpole Reginald The Vampire.
Durie was previously Miramax’s vice-president of sales for EMEA, working across the company’s TV, feature film, and library businesses, and also had stints at Pitch International and IMG Media.
Cineflix Rights is behind shows ranging from ITV hit Marcella and Coroner to recent addition Hildur and Leonard Cohen limited series So Long, Marianne, a project that required numerous funding partners around the world.
Its slate has also included Coroner, Pure and Wynonna Earp, as well as spy thriller Mirage, produced for France Télévisions, ZDF, Super Channel, and Bell Media.
The company, like many distributors, has been adapting to market conditions over the past 18 months as US streamers that previously supported scripted co-productions have pulled back.
Durie’s next move is not yet known but Cineflix confirmed the exec had left the company to pursue new opportunities.
In a statement to Broadcast International, Cineflix Media added: “Following five successful years helping to build and shape the company’s scripted slate, Cineflix is adapting its strategy in response to shifting global demand.
“James will continue to work with high-end scripted producers and financiers in the wider market.”
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