Entertainment One (eOne) has acquired international distribution rights (outside of Australia) to the new eight-part drama Paper Dolls, produced by Helium for Network 10 Australia. The deal was brokered by Noel Hedges, eOne’s EVP, acquisitions, international distribution, according to a news release.

The scripted series, about the rise and fall of a fictional all-female pop group, has started production in Sydney, Australia. It’s based on an original concept created by Belinda Chapple, created and written by Ainslie Clouston (Amazing Grace), with writers David Hannam (Darby and Joan), Marieke Hardy (Heartbreak High), Jenna Purcell, Sara Khan (Heartbreak High) and Thomas Wilson-White (Heartbreak High).

Paper Dolls is produced by Jessica Carrera (Seriously Red) and Kerrie Mainwaring (Bali 2002), executive produced by Mark Fennessy (Last King of the Cross) and Chapple, with Alexander Pettaras (Last King of the Cross) as associate producer.  The ensemble cast (pictured) includes Emalia (Australian Gangster), Naomi Sequeira (Evermoor Chronicles), Miah Madden (Redfern Now), Courtney Clarke (Last King of the Cross) and Courtney Monsma (Frozen the Musical) as the five band members.

Crave

Global film and TV studio Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) has secured several international sales for returning series The Congregation, including to Bell Media’s streamer Crave.

Fifth season has also inked a multi-territory deal for the series with Viaplay Group that includes the U.S., Canada and the U.K. The six-episode drama, about a real-life Swedish cult murder in 2004, is produced by B-Reel for TV4 and C More. Season two will be titled The Congregation: Bride of Christ.

Sinking Ship Entertainment

In its role as international distributor and licensing agent, Toronto-based Sinking Ship Entertainment has signed a deal with Mango Publishing in Miami to release a range of books based on Lopii Productions’ The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy.

This 26 x 11-minute preschool series is hosted by drag performers and child educators Fay Slift (JP Kane) and Fluffy Soufflé (Kaleb Robertson). It premiered in Canada last February on WildBrain Television’s Family Jr. channel and features a storytime format with a live audience, musical guests and animated segments.

The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy Presents: The Fabulous Book About Families⁠, the first title in a planned book series, will hit retail in June. Lopii CEOs and executive producers Georgina Lopez and Rennata Lopez wrote the manuscript for readers ages five to seven. Sinking Ship and Mango have a history of doing business together in the book category; Mango is a publishing licensee for the Toronto-based producer/distributor’s Dino Dana IP.

In related news, Japanese pubcaster NHK has acquired Dino Dana (52 x 22 minutes) from distributor Bomanbridge Media and will begin airing episodes in February.

Boat Rocker

Dino Ranch is stampeding into some new licensing deals secured by Boat Rocker in the U.S., Canada and LatAm. Joining the brand’s growing partner roster are The Canadian Group (puzzles, hand puppets), Treasures Gifted (party goods), Sakar International (wheeled items), Phoenix International Publications (books), Hybrid (apparel), Toy Factory (plush) and Little Kids (toys).

Dino Ranch (104 x 11 minutes), from Industrial Brothers and Boat Rocker, premiered in 2021 on Disney Junior and CBC, and has sold into more than 160 countries since. Its third season is due out this fall on Disney Junior.

Meanwhile, global streamer Da Vinci has closed two new deals with Beyond Rights in the U.K. and Boat Rocker Media to acquire more edutainment content for its OTT, pay-TV and FAST channel platforms.  Another 200 hours of programming, including Beyond’s Gym Stars and Junior Vets; and Boat Rocker STEM series Xploration DIY SCI, will now be available on Da Vinci platforms in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland.

Toshiverse

Montreal-based web3 company Toshiverse has hooked up with two key Canadian partners — ChizSix Marketing and AKCO — to help move its premiere NFT brand from the blockchain onto screens and retail shelves. Wooshi World revolves around a motley crew of creatures with distinct looks and personality traits.

With files from Kidscreen

Photo courtesy of eOne