ARTE Distribution sold "The Mystery of the Desert Kites" to PBS, BBC, and ZDFinfo

ARTE Distribution has announced major international partners for the premium archaeology documentary "The Mystery of the Desert Kites" (1x52'), directed by Nathalie Laville and produced by Ma Drogue À Moi for France Télévisions.

“We are extremely grateful for the trust and enthusiasm shown by our partners at PBS Science Series NOVA, BBC, and ZDFinfo,” said Joséphine Létang, Head of Sales at ARTE Distribution. “This strong international collaboration reflects both the exceptional work of director Nathalie Laville and the entire creative team, as well as the passion and commitment of producer Marie Drogue, whose vision has been instrumental in bringing this remarkable story to life.”

“At Ma Drogue À Moi, we are very proud of this production, which has brought together such prestigious partners as PBS Science Series NOVA, ZDFinfo, BBC, and others for this ambitious international film,” said producer Marie Drogue. “In today’s climate, supporting bold public service storytelling is more important than ever.”

The film has secured PBS Science Series NOVA, a production of GBH (USA), as a co-production partner, along with pre-buys from BBC (UK) and ZDFinfo (Germany), strengthening its global appeal ahead of release.

Filmed across the dramatic landscapes of Saudi Arabia and Jordan, "The Mystery of the Desert Kites" follows two international teams of archaeologists as they investigate thousands of ancient geoglyphs—massive stone structures shaped like kites—dating back to around 7000 BC. These structures predate the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge by several millennia. Combining cutting-edge technology and sweeping aerial cinematography, the film offers a rare window into one of humanity’s earliest and most enigmatic engineering achievements.

Leading the research are French archaeologist Rémy Crassard and Franco-Jordanian researcher Wael Abu-Azizeh. Their discoveries are rewriting what we know about the Neolithic period in the region and uncovering evidence of a little-known ancient people: the Ghassanians.

ARTE Distribution, the global sales arm of European public broadcaster ARTE, represents a catalog of over 4,000 hours of documentaries from more than 150 renowned production companies. A leading name in factual programming, ARTE Distribution won the 2023 Unifrance TV Export Award for "The Latest Secrets of Hieroglyphs" by Patrick Cabouat, recognized as the best-selling French documentary worldwide.