Boat Rocker has hired Patrick Roberts (pictured) as SVP, global sales, Boat Rocker Studios.

In the role, Roberts will support the Toronto-based company’s overall sales strategy and lead the distribution of premium scripted and documentary content across the U.K., Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to the Dec. 20 release.

Previously, Roberts worked at Entertainment One, and later Lionsgate, as VP, international sales for U.K. film and TV. Prior to that, Roberts spent more than seven years at DRG as SVP, international TV sales and almost six years at Channel 4 as VP, international sales and distribution. Robert‘s will be based in Boat Rocker’s London office.

Boat Rocker also announced that Erik Pack, previously SVP, global sales and coproduction, Boat Rocker Studios is expanding his coproduction remit and moving to the role of SVP, global coproduction, as part of the company’s continued focus on international productions.

Prior to working at Boat Rocker, Pack held the role of head of international distribution and coproduction at Platform One Media and was president of international distribution and coproduction at Gaumont Television. Pack is also based in Boat Rocker’s London office.

Mlle Bottine surpasses $1 million at the Canadian box office

Yan Lanouette Turgeon’s French-language comedy Mlle Bottine has surpassed $1 million at the Canadian box office.

Distributed by Immina Films domestically and Attraction Distribution internationally, the Dominic James-written film has earned $1,363,493 as of Jan. 8, an Immina spokesperson told Playback Daily. The film had its theatrical release in Canada Nov. 29.

Mlle Bottine, based on the 1986 film Bach et Bottine, stars newcomer Marguerite Laurence and Antoine Bertrand (Louis Cyr) as an uncle and composer who takes after his niece following her grandmother’s death until a foster family is found.

The film is produced by James for Les Productions La Fête and Antonello Cozzolino and Brigitte Léveillé for Attraction, with the financial support of SODEC, Telefilm Canada, the Quebecor Fund, Groupe TVA, Immina Films and Attraction Distribution.

Jeremy Strong receives SAG Awards nomination for The Apprentice

Jeremy Strong (Succession) has been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for his performance in the Canada/Ireland/Denmark coproduction The Apprentice.

The nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role comes after Golden Globe nominations for both Strong and The Apprentice co-star Sebastian Stan.

The film, directed by Ali Abbasi, is produced by David Bekerman from Toronto’s Scythia Films, Julianne Ford and Ruth Treacy from Ireland’s Tailored Films and Jacob Jarek from Denmark’s Profile Pictures.

Other nominations for this year’s SAG Awards included Canadian actors Martin Short, nominated for Only Murders in the Building, and Pamela Anderson for The Last Showgirl. Eugene Levy also got in on the nominations as Only Murders in the Building was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Image courtesy of Boat Rocker