News round-up: MIA reveals line-up; Eccho strikes Ukraine deal; BBC Two goes fishing again

MIA 2019

MIA reveals line-up

Italian drama event Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo (MIA) has unveiled its initial line-up of projects set to be pitched to prospective buyers next month.

The sixth edition of MIA, which takes place in Rome from 14 to 18 October 2020 in Rome at the Palazzo Barberini, will offer “a safe and Covid-proof environment,” organisers said.

An online MIA Digital platform will also be available for those unable to travel, with the line-up of projects for the co-production market and pitching forum now revealed.

There will be 50 projects in total from more than 20 countries, including films, TV series and documentaries.

Titles include Fandango’s Amor Y Dolor by Emanuele Scaringi, Thank You For Playing, from Black Sheep Films in France, and The Last Shot, which is from the director of La Casa De Papel, Alex Rodrigo.

The event will also offer numerous prizes, including €20,000 for the recipient of the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award, while guests include Hollywood producer Michael Ellenberg, whose company has been behind Apple TV+’s The Morning Show, and Stephen Cornwell, co-founder and co-CEO of The Ink Factory.

CJENM-owned Eccho Rights strikes Studio Kvaral 95 deal

Distributor Eccho Rights has agreed a deal with Ukraine’s Studio Kvartal 95 for its latest hit comedy Sugar Daddy.

The 16 x 30-minute series tells the story of two unlikely best friends, one a former film star who is now a depressed, suicidal old man, and another who is a gold digger who sees an old man dishing out drinks at the bar and thinks she has identified a new sugar daddy.

The show, which debuted on 1+1 in the Ukraine, is from the same prodco as Servant Of The People, a series in which an everyman becomes president.

Shortly after the completion of the third season, the creator and lead actor Volodymyr Zelenskyj was elected president in real life, running on a manifesto not dissimilar to that of his fictional creation.

Mortimer And Whitehouse: Gone Fishing

BBC Two spend more time fishing

BBC Two in the UK has ordered a fourth season of Mortimer And Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.

The 6 x 30-minute show is made by Owl Power and will again follow UK comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse as they explore more of the British countryside to seek out the finest fishing spots.

Whitehouse uses his extensive knowledge of fishing to guide Mortimer, who in turn finds places to stay and cooks up heart-healthy menus throughout their travels.

The most recent series, which finished on Sunday night, consolidated at an average audience of 1.8m across the first five episodes on BBC Two.