Cineflix Rights has acquired the distribution rights to Toronto-based Cream Productions’ docuseries History of the Sitcom (pictured). The 8 x 60-minute series was originally commissioned as a CNN Original and features interviews with sitcom pioneers such as Norman Lear, Dick Van Dyke and Mel Brooks. The series will be featured as part of the Cineflix Media distribution arm’s MIPCOM slate in October. The deal was negotiated by Cineflix Rights’ Felicia Litovitz, VP acquisitions, North America.

Neshama Entertainment

Neshama Entertainment has optioned Toronto-based actor and author Asha Bromfield’s debut novel Hurricane Summer for a feature film adaptation. Bromfield is attached to pen the screenplay, which is currently in development with producers Arnie Zipursky, Hannah Pillemer and Lauren MacKinlay for Neshama. MarVista Entertainment will handle global distribution outside of Canada.

Hurricane Summer is the coming-of-age story of an 18-year-old Jamaican-Canadian who spends a summer in Jamaica to connect with her estranged father. The novel was published in 2021, and Bromfield’s second novel, Songs of Irie, is scheduled to release in fall 2023. Bromfield is represented by WME and Untitled Entertainment.

IMAX

IMAX has acquired Ontario-based tech company SSIMWAVE, which specializes in video quality solutions for streaming and broadcast platforms with AI-driven software, in a deal valued at up to $25 million. The acquisition will help IMAX expand its strategy to “deliver the highest quality video images on any screen” and bring additional revenue streams. The agreement will see IMAX acquire SSIMWAVE for $18.5 million in cash and $2.5 million in stock “with additional earnout consideration of $4 million,” according to a news release.

Guru Studio

Toronto’s Guru Studio has picked up global distribution and licensing rights for the first and second seasons of Singapore-based Omens Studios’ preschool series 123 Number Squad!

The CG-animated show (104 x 11 minutes) features three number-loving kids who become a rescue team whenever the citizens of 123 Numberville need help, and is a spinoff of educational series Counting on Paula (300 x 11 minutes), which Singaporean broadcaster Mediacorp renewed for a fifth season in May 2021. The series joins Guru’s MIPCOM slate, which also includes Scoops, a new educational comedy in development with TIME Studios, as well as preschool series Big Blue, Pikwik Pack and True and the Rainbow Kingdom.

Bell Media

Bell Media has acquired the French Canada rights to the U.K. docuseries The Missing Children from distributor Abacus Media Rights. The series was commissioned by ITV and Ireland’s RTE in association with North American streamer Topic, which acquired the series for the U.S. and Canada. The docuseries tells the story of the survivors of the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in the town of Tuam in Galway, Ireland, where hundreds of children went missing. It has also been acquired in Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Belgium.

Gusto Worldwide Media

Gusto TV has expanded its return to Canadian screens in a deal with LG. The food-focused channel is now available on LG Channels in Canada, in addition to its existing agreement to be available on LG devices in 19 other countries. Gusto TV re-launched in Canada earlier this year as part of a deal with Samsung, following the end of its licensing agreement with Bell Media.

With files from Kidscreen

Image courtesy of Cineflix Rights