MONTREAL — Cineflix Media announced Monday it has appointed James Durie (pictured) to the newly created role of head of scripted for Cineflix Rights, the company’s U.K.-based distribution division.
The announcement comes as the company increases investment across its drama production and distribution business, the news release says.
Durie is joining Cineflix from Miramax, where he was vice-president of sales for the EMEA region, across the company’s TV, feature film and library businesses.
In his new role at Cineflix Rights, Durie will be responsible for leading the distributor’s global strategy for sales, pre-sales, acquisitions and co-productions of scripted content. Durie will be based in London and will report to Cineflix Media president Peter Emerson.
“We’re ramping up our scripted production and distribution activities, acquiring some of the most exciting new series coming to market,” Emerson said in the news release. “James’ track record and global relationships, as well as our increased investment in scripted, will enhance our competitive edge as an indie with quality dramas for platforms and broadcasters worldwide.”
“I am thrilled to be joining the Cineflix Rights team at a time when there is so much momentum for the Cineflix group. By helping drive sales of the company’s scripted slate and building partnerships with the many talented producers out there, we’re well positioned to continue growing our content pipeline with exceptional series for the global market,” added Durie.
According to the news release, Cineflix Media and Cineflix Rights have experienced rapid growth over the past two years in their scripted activities. Among their eight series currently in production are: Coroner (16×60, Cineflix Studios/Muse Entertainment/Back Alley Films for CBC and NBCUniversal International Networks) now in its second season; narco-drama Pure (12×60, Cineflix Studios/Two East Productions for WGNA, Hulu, Super Channel and CBC) also in its second season; and cult hit Wynonna Earp (49×60, Cineflix Studios/IDW Entertainment/Seven24 Films for SYFY and Bell Media) now in production on season 4.
Cineflix Rights says it is also anticipating delivery of several new series from its associated partner production companies Buccaneer Media and Connect3 Media in addition to the first season of international spy thriller Mirage (6×60, Connect3 for France Télévisions, ZDF, Super Channel and Bell Media), and season 3 of the International Emmy Award-winning crime thriller Marcella (24×60, Buccaneer for ITV and Netflix).
Alongside these titles, Cineflix Rights says it has been aggressively expanding its co-production and acquisitions scripted activity with the recent addition of Happily Married/C’est comme ça que je t’aime (10×45) from Productions Casablanca, which has received a prestigious Official Selection at Berlinale Series 2020; political drama The Minister (8×60)from Sagafilm, which has been officially selected for Series Mania 2020; and the timely and gripping new Israeli series Tehran (8×60) from Donna Productions and Shula Spiegel Productions in association with Paper Plane Productions.
