eOne
eOne has secured the global licensing rights to British comedian Ricky Gervais’ feature film David Brent: Life On The Road. As the licensor, eOne is now looking to sign deals with partners in accessories, home and giftware, stationery, greetings and novelty toys linked to the film. David Brent: Life On The Road, which Gervais writes, directs and stars in, is coproduced by eOne and BBC Films and slated for theatrical release in August 2016. eOne is handling the feature’s international sales, as well as directly distributing the film in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Benelux and the U.K.  

In other eOne news this week, the company announced it is preparing to launch Peppa Pig consumer products into France’s mass market retail sector. Licensed merch will now be available in retail chains including Carrefour, as well as Toys’R’Us, La Grande Recre and Joué Club. Master toy partner Giochi Preziosi, Diset (board games), Taldec (computer games) and Hachette Jeunesse (story, activity and colouring books, stationery) will also be introducing new products in 2016.

Bell Media
Bell Media has acquired the format to Armoza Formats’ factual comedy The Gran Plan. Zone3 will produce a 13-episode season, which is set to premiere on Canal Vie in March 2016. The show follows three grandmothers who become life coaches, offering advice on things such as first dates and addictions. The original version of the show is produced by Israel’s Artza Productions.

CMPA
The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) has partnered with California-based RightsTrade, an online B2B marketplace for film and TV rights marketplace. The deal will give the CMPA’s 350 member companies preferred access to RightsTrade’s sales tools, a marketplace of 8,000 buyers, as well as marketing and promotional support.

Peace Point Rights
Toronto’s Peace Point Rights and Montreal’s Muse Entertainment have inked a deal making Peace Point the exclusive distributor of Muse’s slate in Latin American. Read more about the deal here.

Remstar
Montreal-based distributor Remstar Films has acquired the Canadian distribution rights to Philippe Falardeau’s next feature, The Bleeder. Read more about the deal here.

Bron Animation
Bron Animation has taken the animated film rights to Lois Lowry’s children’s book The Willoughbys, with preproduction currently underway in Bron’s Burnaby, B.C. studio. Read more about the deal here.

Double Dutch International
Distributor Double Dutch International has announced that Trilight Entertainment’s family feature A.R.C.H.I.E. has been sold into multiple territories, including an acquisition by Arc Entertainment for distribution in the U.S. Read more about the deal here.

Stingray Digital Media Group
Stingray Digital Media Group announced Wednesday it had inked a strategic partnership with Singapore’s Multi Channels Asia. Read more about the deal here.

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