Bavaria Fiction expands comedy push with Gerda Film & Peter Güde deal

LR: Marcus Ammon, Chris Geletneky, Peter Güde

Bavaria Fiction is moving further into comedy after striking a pact with fellow German outfit Gerda Film that will see the two companies developing programming together.

Gerda, which is run by Chris Geletneky (Ladykracher) and Benjamin Seikel, will work with Peter Güde (Vorsicht vor Leuten) and Bavaria to create comedy TV series and movies.

Overall responsibility for the projects lies with Bavaria Fiction, with Güde executive producer for Bavaria Fiction and Seikel for Gerda.

Geletneky said: “Gerda Film is a small creative unit that depends on large creative partners for the realisation of its materials. With Bavaria Fiction we have now found the perfect complement to our company concept.”

Marcus Ammon, MD of content at Bavaria Fiction, described the deal as “a big step” on its “content roadmap.”

Ammon, who took the top job at Bavaria last year amid a wider restructuring, added: “We see the great demand from broadcasters and streamers for comedy formats in all shapes and forms, consequently we are further expanding our field of comedy together with Peter.

“Chris and I have known each other for a long time, I have a high personal regard for Chris and love his sense of comedy. Furthermore, I am looking forward to the first joint projects of our new comedy power duo Peter and Chris.”