Los Angeles-based XYZ Films has added Canada/U.K. psycho-thriller Krypto (pictured) to its recently launched New Visions label slate, with sales launching at the Cannes Film Festival, which runs through May 27.

The title from Vancouver-based Goodbye Productions and the U.K.’s Taletime Pictures marks the feature film debut of Canadian-born, Paris-based director Kourtney Roy, according to a news release.

Paul Bromley wrote the story of a woman and her link to a monster, which was produced by Amber Ripley of Goodbye Productions, Sophie Venner of Taletime Pictures and Josh Huculiak. James Tocher serves as executive producer. Chloe Pirrie stars in the film, which received funding from Telefilm Canada.

Sphere Films

Montreal- and Toronto-based distributor Sphere Films has acquired the Canadian rights for the romantic drama We Live in Time as well as three titles at the Cannes Film Festival.

We Live in Time, directed by John Crowley (Brooklyn) and starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, is currently filming in London, England. Benedict Cumberbatch is attached to the project as executive producer through his SunnyMarch banner and Nick Payne is the scriptwriter.

The film is developed and produced by StudioCanal with partners at SunnyMarch. International sales are handled by StudioCanal while the U.S. distribution rights have been acquired by A24.

Sphere Films has also picked up Cannes competition titles About Dry Grasses by Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Club Zero by Austria’s Jessica Hausner, as well as French filmmaker Martin Provost’s Bonnard, Pierre et Marthe.

Filmoption International

Montreal-based Filmoption International has secured sales for Canadian filmmaker Raymond St-Jean’s crime drama Dusk for a Hitman in Spain and France.

Barcelona-headquartered La Aventura Cine has acquired the rights for Spain while Paris-based Family Films has the French European rights under the deal with Filmoption, which is handling international sales for the Quebec feature.

Dusk for a Hitman is produced by Paul Cadieux and Michel Ouellette, with the financial participation from Telefilm Canada, SODEC, the Harold Greenberg Fund and provincial and federal tax credit programs, as well as the collaboration of Radio-Canada and Crave, according to a news release.

The film, which was presented at the Cannes Film Market on Thursday (May 18), was directed by St-Jean, who also wrote it with Martin Girard.

Cineflix Rights

Cineflix Rights, the U.K. distribution arm of Cineflix Media, is launching three free, advertising-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels featuring more than 1,000 hours of content from some of its longest-running show brands.

The channels are being rolled out globally on various platforms, including Amazon’s AVOD Freevee and Xumo Play in the U.S., Roku in Canada, and other partners in the coming months, according to a news release.

Real Disaster Channel includes hit series Mayday: Air Disaster, now in its 24th season, alongside series including Deadly Disasters, Rogue Earth and Dangerous Flights.

Crime & Justice channel shows include multiple seasons of Bizarre Murders, Crimes That Shook Britain and Murder She Solved. The Property & Reno channel programs include Dream Home Makeovers with Sophie Robinson, Tori & Dean: Cabin Fever and World’s Greenest Homes.

WildBrain CPLG

WildBrain CPLG has secured new licensees for the Teletubbies franchise across multiple categories, including The Loyal Subjects for collectible figures launching worldwide, and designer ONCH for a jewelry and accessories collection, set to launch in North America in 2024.

WildBrain CPLG has also signed A Leading Role for costume apparel and accessories launching worldwide later this year, and Dumbgood (part of Bioworld Merchandising) for a streetwear and accessories collection launching this June for the U.S. and Canada, according to a news release.

Meanwhile, Brand Alliance will launch a new apparel range later this year in the U.K. and Eire, while Concept One will launch accessories and luggage accessories this summer for the U.S. and Canada, Australia, Mexico and South Africa.

WildBrain’s in-house franchise team has also scored promotional partnerships for Teletubbies, including with family experience company CAMP, which will host a range of family-friendly experiences and new products.

9 Story Brands

9 Story Brands, a products division of Toronto’s 9 Story Media Group, and Fred Rogers Productions (FRP) have inked another licensing partnership for the animated series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. The new deal is with global lifestyle brand Skip Hop and covers multiple product categories for the U.S., according to a news release.

The partnership includes children’s backpacks, non-pedal ride-on toys, and children’s mealtime items. Earlier this month, 9 Story Brands and FRP partnered with Pittsburgh-based children’s outdoor brand carter joey to launch products based on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhoodi.

The series is into its sixth season on PBS Kids and is coproduced by FRP and 9 Story Media Group, with 9 Story’s Brown Bag Films as animator.

With files from Taimur Sikander Mirza

Image courtesy of Goodbye Productions