Deals: Mongrel, VSC, Proper, Metropole

Video Services Corp

Toronto and L.A.-based independent DVD distributor Video Services Corp has signed a three-year, all-platform Canadian distribution deal with U.S.-based Synapse Films. The first release under the agreement comes in February with the DVD release of the horror comedy Reel Zombies. Video Services Corp will also distribute the rest of Synapse’s catalogue, which specializes in restoring and mastering cult classics in the science fiction and horror genres.

Mongrel Media

Toronto’s Mongrel Media has acquired the Canadian rights Hany Abu-Assar’s thriller Omar, nominated for a 2014 Oscar in the best foreign language film category. Mongrel also has the rights to two other nominees in the foreign language category: The Great Beauty and The Hunt.

Mongrel Media will give Omar a platform release, starting in Toronto and Vancouver on Feb. 21.

Proper Television

As cameras roll in Italy on the second season of Don’t Drive Here for Discovery Canada, Toronto-based Proper Television announced four new international deals for the first season of the factual series. Spain’s  Chellomedia’s Odisea Channel, Sky Channel in Italy and Viasat’s TV10 in Sweden (a free-to-air channel) all picked up the rights to the first season of the series. Discovery World Channel, which broadcasts throughout Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, also picked up the first-season rights to Don’t Drive Here.

Metropole Films

Metropole Films has picked up the Quebec distribution rights to Boy Choir, a feature film from director Francois Girard that will star Dustin Hoffman. The film will open in theatres in 2015.

Entertainment One

Entertainment One (eOne) has closed a number of international deals for factual programming, including sales of the feature documentary Dieppe Uncovered, and Kenny vs. Spenny. Read more about the deals here.

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