EXCLUSIVE: The London TV Screenings is just a few short weeks away and global distributors are beginning to prepare their slates.
Israel’s Keshet International (KI), for one, has got the ball rolling by picking up a factual programing package from Paramount’s Ananey Studios.
KI will be taking Pirates of Antiquities and Day Trip: Escaping the Taliban to the UK capital at the end of February.
Recently recommissioned for a second season by Israeli broadcaster Kan, Pirates of Antiquities delves deep into the shadowy world of antiquities smuggling, where priceless historical treasures become the spoils of a race between robbers, dealers, and the archaeologists determined to stop them. The show includes high-stakes undercover operations and night chases to secret agents, treasure maps, and vast sums of black-market money changing hands.
Day Trip: Escaping the Taliban, meanwhile, is a feature-length documentary centered on four courageous Afghan women forced into hiding after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. As Afghanistan falls under the grip of Sharia Law and international forces withdraw, their personal fight for survival unfolds against a high-risk operation to evacuate hundreds of others by any means necessary.
Both titles will be represented by KI for worldwide distribution, with KI also repping the format of Pirates of Antiquities on behalf of Ananey, the Israeli studio owned by Paramount. Other history shows within KI’s catalog include Sandstone Global’s Seven Wonders of the Ancient World with Prof Bettany Hughes, which debuted strongly in the UK for Paramount’s 5 and has sold into more than 25 territories, and Perpetual Entertainment’s Hitler’s Treasure Hunters.
Kelly Wright, KI’s MD of Distribution, said: “Pirates of Antiquities and Day Trip: Escaping the Taliban together embody the kind of powerful, thought-provoking stories that we’re proud to champion at Keshet International, so we’re thrilled to be partnering with Paramount’s Ananey Studios again to distribute these bold shows internationally.”
KI has been a staple at the London TV Screenings over the past few years and will debut the docs at the Vue West End in Leicester Square on Tuesday 24 February. This year’s screenings will take place February 22 to 27 and will again run concurrent with the new MIP London.
