Volume XXXX, No. 12, March 21-27, 2008
Forward & Intelligence
	TRANSITION TO DIGITAL NATPE is offering a free web seminar, titled “The Transition to Digital: New Challenges and New Opportunities,” on Thursday, April 3. Presented by Bill Hague, Senior Vice President of Frank N. Magid Associates, seminar will address potential problems and opportunities associated with the switch to all-digital broadcasting in the U.S., set to take place on February 17, 2009. Click for more information. CONTACT: NATPE, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Tel. 1-310-453-4440. Fax 1-310-453-5258. Web www.natpe.org
	BOARDING SCHOOL BAND Exilene Films has appointed The Box Distribution to handle the international distribution of “Five,” a teen-oriented drama focusing on five friends in a boarding school who form a band to share their passion for music. 52 episodes are currently available, with an additional season in development (52 x 26’). CONTACT: The Box Distribution, Paris, France. Tel. 33-1-4463-1571. Fax 33-1-4995-9328. Web: www.theboxdistribution.com
	ELITE PILOTS Janson Media is distributing “America’s Team: Being a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird,” a behind-the-scenes look at the pilots and support team of the U.S. Air Force’s elite precision flying team, the Thunderbirds. Filmed in high-definition, program follows the team through an entire air show season and introduces viewers to the Thunderbirds first female pilot (57’). CONTACT: Janson Media, Harrington Park, NJ, USA. Tel 1-201-784-8488. Fax 1-201-784-3993. Web: www.janson.com
Entertainment
	SEEKING THE TRUTH Set in Italy during the turbulent years from 1938-1948, “Chief Detective De Luca” centers on police detective from Bologna who relentlessly seeks the truth. Mini-series plays out against a turbulent historical backdrop of Italy’s fascist regime, World War II and the post-war transition to democracy (4 x 100’). CONTACT: RAI Trade, Rome, Italy. Tel. 39-06-374-981. Fax 39-06-372-3492. Web: www.raitrade.it
	ROCKY MOUNTAIN RANCH Focusing on a family-owned ranch in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, “Heartland” follows the Fleming family as they deal with the ups and downs of running a ranch that’s been in the family for generations, but is now so deep in debt they’re one bank payment away from losing it all (13 x 60’). CONTACT: Fireworks International, London, UK. Tel. 44-20-7851-6510. Fax 44-20-7851-6506. Web: www.contentfilm.com
	IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC Bringing together the brightest stars of traditional Irish music for a once-in-a-lifetime concert, “Absolutely Irish!” was filmed live at the intimate Irish Arts Center in New York City's famed Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. Irish music impresario Mick Moloney presents three generations of brilliant musicians as they display their mastery on much-beloved jigs, reels, and airs, then rock the hall with contemporary takes on favorite old tunes (60’). CONTACT: WGBH International Sales, Boston, MA, USA. Tel. 1-617-300-3893. Fax 1-617-300-1021. E-mail tom_koch@wgbh.org
Children’s
	COMPELLING STORIES “Danni's Tales” is an amusing six-part television series featuring Danni Donkey, a dynamic human host. Danni and her class of energetic kids travel the world on educational expeditions learning about unique animals from felines to frogs and bears to bats. Live-action/animated series utilizes singing and dancing to tell compelling stories for children ages one to five (6 x 30’). CONTACT: Octapixx Worldwide, Toronto, Canada. Tel. 1-416-449-9400. Fax 1-416-449-9498. Web: www.octapixx.com
	READY FOR ANYTHING Targeting 9-14 year-olds, “Futz!” is a throw-back, non-verbal cartoon based on the whacked-out, comedic adventures of a one odd-looking yet strangely appealing character. Futz is ready for anything, prepared for nothing and always able to severely mess things up in just 180 seconds (26 x 3’). CONTACT: 9 Story Entertainment, Toronto, Canada. Tel. 1-416-530-9900. Fax 1-416-530-9935. Web: www.9story.com
	KING OF THE PIRATES Focusing on the quest of young man named Monkey D. Luffy to find a legendary treasure, “One Piece” is an animated adventure series taking place on the high seas. Program follows Luffy as he battles to become “king of the pirates” in his bid to obtain the treasure known as “One Piece” (300 x 30’). CONTACT: Toei Company Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. Telephone 81-3-3535-7621. Fax 81-3-3535-7622. Web: www.toei-anim.com
Documentaries
	WAR IN CHECHNYA Offering an exclusive report on the two faces of Chechnya, “Chechnya: The Never-Ending War” contrasts the progress that has been made in reconstructing the capital city of Grozny with the general level of poverty, misery and despair left behind by years of conflict (27’). CONTACT: RTSI, Lugano, Switzerland. Tel. 41-91-803-5482. Fax 41-91-803-5725. Web: www.rtsi.ch/sales
	PRISON BREAK Telling the remarkable story of the escape and re-capture of dangerous gang from a maximum security prison, “The Hunt for the Texas 7” is a real-life adventure. Program chronicles the six week man-hunt for seven desperate criminals who banded together to escape from prison and to embark on a series of armed robberies (60’). CONTACT: Electric Sky, Brighton, UK. Tel. 44-1273-22-42-47Fax 44-1273-22-42-50. Web: www.electricsky.com
	MYSTERIOUS DANTE