PAPERNY FILMS GIVES PASSION DISTRIBUTION THE HIT FOOD NETWORK SERIES THE 100 MILE CHALLENGE
June 4, 2009 – London-based Passion Distribution has concluded a distribution agreement with Vancouver-based Paperny Films for both completed programme and format rights to topical and trendy reality series produced for Food Network Canada, THE 100-MILE CHALLENGE. This is the first time the two companies have worked together. Passion proves it is up to the challenge by immediately selling the series to Discovery’s Planet Green in the United States. Based on the best-selling book “The 100-Mile Diet,” the 6 x 60’ documentary series THE 100-MILE CHALLENGE taps into the global trend of eating locally which in turn cuts down on the carbon footprint our food intake demands and promotes local food production. The series challenges citizens of one town to survive only on food grown within 100 miles of their home for 100 days. Kitchen cupboards are stripped bare as the families remove everything that was not grown locally including sugar, spices, rice, flour – even olive oil and coffee. They then must start from scratch, researching and sourcing local product for their daily diet. “We have wanted to work with Paperny Films for some time,” says Sally Miles, Passion Distribution, CEO who acquired the series. “Their programming is well produced with an exciting angle that gives it international appeal. When we met up at MIPTV and they told me about 100 MILE CHALLENGE it was a must for Passion Distribution to take to the international market. A real gem of an idea that I believe the market has been waiting for. A factual entertainment series involving food, lifestyle, family and an element of competition that will work in every territory. For the format sale into the UK we will cut down on the mile challenge, possibly 25 miles, as we are so much more built up than most parts of North America and this will probably be the same for other European countries.” With sales also confirmed for France, Benelux and Asia, already the show is proving not such a challenge to sell. “The 100 Mile Challenge was a real labor of love for us, and to see Sally Miles and the talented folks at Passion expand the reach of this project so quickly is extremely gratifying”, says David Paperny, President, Paperny Films “ and Planet Green is the perfect home for this series in the US, so we see this sale as the start of two wonderful relationships.” Sally Miles will be attending the Banff Television Festival. Passion Distribution offers a unique boutique and intimate style relationship with its content suppliers, both producers and broadcasters. The people and programming we represent are our passion. The company provides key market intelligence during the development process, funding and finance opportunities through gap funding, co-production and pre-sales and a world class sales team to deliver stellar results in international sales revenue. Paperny Films Inc. – run by partners David Paperny, Audrey Mehler, and Cal Shumiatcher – is an independent, Vancouver-based production company that has garnered worldwide acclaim for its provocative, innovative, and entertaining television programming. From groundbreaking documentaries to reality television series to lifestyle programming, Paperny Films excels in capturing the essence of human stories. Planet Green is the first 24-hour, multiplatform media destination devoted to the environment. This brand with a mission is available in 50 million homes and launched on June 4, 2008. Planet Green is the center for the new green conversation, speaking to people who want to understand green living and to those who truly want to make a difference in meeting the critical challenge of protecting our environment. Planet Green and its two robust websites planetgreen.com and Treehugger.com, offer unique, original, insightful, inspiring, and entertaining content related to how humans impact the planet, and how we can evolve to live a better, brighter future. Planet Green’s unique programming, digital tools, and content will enlighten, empower and most certainly, entertain. For further information, please contact: Madeleine Cunnane Passion Distribution +44 (0)207 981 9801 maddycunnane@passiondistribution.com
