FANNY GILABERT: "BUILDING STRONG IPS HAS BECOME CRUCIAL TO GUARANTEE LONG-LASTING SUCCESS"

Gaumont continues to reinforce its global slate with series and films designed to resonate across territories. The company offers a wide range of content, and among its current highlights are the new gripping diplomatic thriller "The Deal" and the new season of the light crime series "The Art of Crime". At the same time, it is strengthening its animation catalog with ambitious projects that combine strong creative talent with recognizable brands.

Directed by documentary expert Jean-Stéphane Bron and co-written by Alice Winocour, "The Deal" is commissioned by RTS Radio Télévision Suisse in Switzerland and ARTE in France. The series portrays the tense diplomatic discussions that took place in Switzerland in 2015 between Iran and the United States, with the participation of the European Union, China, and Russia, regarding the Iranian nuclear program. "What makes this series very different is that it lifts the veil on diplomacy's hidden dynamics, based on real events, but the action and the characters are completely fictional," explained Fanny Gilabert, Vice President of International Sales at Gaumont. "What I love about the series is that there are strong, charismatic characters who are diplomats, trained like athletes to negotiate for their countries, but they are human after all, with their own personal stakes mingling with geopolitical ones. The series is dealing with today's politics, but the great writing and acting allow the audience to connect with the characters on a personal level," she added.

Starring international actors Veerle Baetens, Juliet Stevenson, Fenella Woolgar, Arash Marandi & Anthony Azizi, "The Deal" has already gained global recognition, being selected at prestigious events such as the Locarno Festival and BFI London Film Festival. In March, it also won two prizes at Series Mania. The title will be officially launched at Mipcom.

Alongside "The Deal", Gaumont is preparing the launch of "The Art of Crime" new season, scheduled for early 2026 on France Télévisions. The procedural continues to be one of the studio's strongest assets. "It's an evergreen IP, very appealing to the market. It is what broadcasters are looking for at the moment, because the show is entertaining and easy to schedule," Gilabert stated.

STRENGTHENING IN ANIMATION

Gaumont's animation slate also includes eco-friendly and family-driven stories such as "Do, Re & Mi," a colorful preschool musical series that has been performing strongly worldwide thanks to its engaging visuals and original songs performed by Kristen Bell. Another highlight is "Belle and Sebastian," which portrays a touching friendship between a boy and his dog. At the same time, the company is celebrating two significant anniversaries: "Narcos", one of its most iconic drama IPs, which celebrates its 10th anniversary, and the animated hit "Galactik Football," which reached two decades of success. "It's one of our most successful IPs in the catalog," Gilabert said.

BUILDING STRONG IPS

Analyzing the current context of the content industry, Gilabert acknowledged that the market is experiencing a moment of uncertainty, particularly in animation, where commissioners are more cautious and less inclined to take risks. In this scenario, she underlined, strong brands make the difference. "Building strong IPs has become really key to guarantee long-lasting success," she emphasized. According to Gilabert, Gaumont's strategy is not only about producing high-quality stories but also about maximizing their potential across platforms. "It's about the possible adaptations around the content. It can be publishing, audio adaptations, or merchandising. At Gaumont, we can offer a large range of content to our clients, from animation, preschool to young adults, and all genres of TV series, covering comedies, drama, horror, and, of course, crime," she concluded.