The indie distributor hired U.K.-based acquisitions exec Kate Laffey (pictured) from ITV Studios Global Entertainment as it looks to distribute more scripted and non-scripted content from beyond North America.
The London-based exec (pictured) will take Copper producer Cineflix Studios from its U.S. base under Christina Wayne and grow its presence making global dramas in Canada and the U.K.
The program includes a week-long training session and eight-week apprenticeship on a lifestyle series by one of the course program partners, Shaw Media, Corus Entertainment and Bell Media.
Cineflix co-CEO Glen Salzman (pictured) says the deal is “a strategic fit and not just a financial one.”
Canada Sings, Dinner Party Wars and Arab Rap are among the nominated Canadian programs in Realscreen’s 2012 awards, which will be handed out in Santa Monica on May 30.
Heaney (pictured) will depart next month following a transitioning period, and Chris Bonney, Cineflix Media’s CEO of rights, will cover the role in the interim.
Chris Bonney, most recently SVP, sales and acquisitions at Warner Brothers International Television Production, is joining the Canadian-headquartered producer/distributor as CEO, rights.
The Canadian prodco is adding a Los Angeles office to shop global formats in Hollywood.