By Lauren Malyk and Kelly Townsend

Drag Kids goes back into the spotlight with RIDM

Megan Wennberg’s Drag Kids is set to close the Montreal International Documentary Festival (referred to as RIDM). The doc is produced by Tell Tale Productions in partnership with CBC Docs POV and follows four youth as they prepare themselves for a drag performance at Pride Montreal. The film first premiered at Hot Docs earlier this year and has picked up a number of accolades, including Best Canadian Feature at Inside Out and the feature documentary prize at FIN Atlantic.

Wattpad inks its first Latin American deal

Toronto-based publisher and studio Wattpad has signed a development deal with Wise Entertainment to produce Portuguese-language YA content for audiences in Brazil. Wise Entertainment is the prodco behind the Hulu series East Los High and runs an IP incubator for local writers and producers in Brazil. Wattpad has inked several international development deals in the last year, most recently with pan-regional streaming service Viu. They have also partnered with Sony Pictures Television in the U.S., along with companies in Europe and Asia.

OUTtv boards The Dog Dudes

Vancouver-based LGBTQ+ network OUTtv has joined B.C. prodco Mayhem Entertainment’s The Dog Dudes as its Canadian broadcaster. The 8 x 30-minute series follows husbands and canine rehabilitation experts Dylan and Darijan Northstar as they try to help difficult dogs who may be dealing with their last chance at rehabilitation. Mayhem’s The Dog Dudes was first unveiled in September 2018, when the company announced a first-look development deal with Cineflix Rights. Under the agreement, Cineflix Media division holds the worldwide distribution rights to upcoming projects from Mayhem, including The Dog Dudes.

The Dog Dudes premiered on OUTtv yesterday (Sept. 25) and airs on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST. The series is also available to stream on OUTtvGo.com, the OUTtv Amazon Prime Video Channel and the Apple TV app. Last week, the network announced it was now accessible via the Apple TV app across Canada for $3.99 per month.