Keshet sets out £40m plans

Israeli producer-distributor Keshet International is to boost its Englishlanguage pipeline via a series of high-profile UK and US acquisitions funded from its £40m drama war chest.

The A Word producer-distributor will use the fund, unveiled at the Keshet-operated INTV Conference in Jerusalem eight weeks ago, to buy distributing rights for its scripted slate. It is on the lookout for period and contemporary thrillers and psychological dramas that can be limited series or returning shows.

The drama initiative complements Keshet’s recent acquisition of indie group Greenbird Media, which has expanded the Tel Aviv firm’s Englishlanguage unscripted content.

Greenbird’s roster includes Stupid Man, Smart Phone producer Kalel Productions and Asian Provocateur firm Rumpus Media.

“We are looking to grow the catalogue and form relationships with British producers”
Anke Stoll, Keshet International

Anke Stoll, London-based director of acquisitions and co-productions for Keshet International, said: “We are mainly known for our non-English-language content, so we are looking to grow the catalogue and form relationships with British producers. There is a real opportunity here for UK indies with the right ideas.”

She added that the fund will also be investing in projects in the US, Australia and Canada. The fund comes as more international distributors bolster their slates with English-language projects from the UK.

Earlier this month, French distributor Federation Entertainment linked up with Suspects creator Paul Marquess and Duchess Street boss Donna Wiffen to launch drama indie Long Story TV. It is looking to create “cost-efficient” popular English-language drama with a British sensibility that can travel.

The first project out of Keshet’s drama initiative – which is not capped and will expand from the £40m allocated for its first five years – is BBC1’s Profumo affair drama from Apple Tree Yard writer Amanda Coe. Keshet International will serve as global distributor.

Produced by Ecosse Films, six-parter The Trial Of Christine Keeler will examine the sexual and cultural politics of the 1963 political scandal, which centred on an affair between John Profumo, the secretary of state for war in Harold Macmillan’s government, and 19-year-old Keeler.

Keshet has not disclosed how much of its fund has been allocated to the project, which is currently shooting in Bristol.

Producers with no distribution tie-ups are the primary focus, but there is “some flexibility” for outfits that are aligned with superindies. Keshet will also involve its US and UK production businesses in projects that require additional resource.

Stoll noted that the fund will focus on dramas that already have a broadcaster attached, but said she “may open up to earlier scenarios” over time.

The business expects to board three more projects by the end of 2018, depending on the size of the shows.

“If we were to get involved in a big American project, that could be a bit more expensive, so we would need to limit other projects,” explained Stoll.