Monday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

MIA unveils 2026 plans

Italian market Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo (MIA) has revealed plans for its 2026 edition, with a raft of new additions.

MIA’s 12th edition will feature a programme exclusively dedicated to animated series (the Animation Series Gap Financing Market), as well as the launch of the European Investment Hub (EIH), aimed at facilitating access to international financing.

Casa Mia aims to increase networking opportunities by providing a large lounge for delegates to swap intel, while content showcases and pitching forums will also feature.

MIA is supported by ANICA (Italian Association of Film, Audiovisual and Digital Industries) and APA (Italian Audiovisual Producers Association), under the direction of Gaia Tridente. Its 2026 edition takes place in Rome 19-23 October.

Entourage invests in See-Saw shows

See-Saw Films will receive up to £37.5m ($50m) from Paris-based investment firm Entourage Ventures in a three-year feature film financing partnership.

The London and Sydney-based Mediawan label, which is behind TV series including Slow Horses and Heartstopper, will receive the financing to produce feature films for global audiences. It will continue to lead creative development, production and sales across its slate, working alongside its in-house sales arm Cross City Films.

The investment is expected to reduce reliance on traditional pre-sales. The indie’s upcoming film releases include Tenzing for Apple Original Films and Heartstopper Forever for Netflix. See-Saw joined Mediawan Group a year ago.

The deal was struck by Simon Gillis on behalf of See-Saw, Hubert Caillard (Intervista) on behalf of Entourage Ventures and Vincent Lebègue on behalf of Mediawan.

MAFS in Panorama spotlight

Channel 4’s hit format Married At First Sight (MAFS) UK is the subject of a BBC1 Panorama tonight, centred on sexual assault allegations. 

The Dark Side of Married at First Sight will air at 8pm. The Panorama is fronted by BBC News culture correspondent Noor Nanji, who speaks to three women alleging sexual misconduct by their former on-screen husbands. Two of the women say they were sexually assaulted.

The BBC said the Panorama programme raises serious concerns that welfare procedures on the reality show have failed contributors, leaving them at risk of harm. Read more