Julia Schulte
France tv distribution’s catalog includes some of the most globally demanded French IPs, and the company consistently diversifies its content offerings with new seasons of established shows and new acquisitions. Julia Schulte, SVP of International Sales at France tv distribution, describes the company’s current slate and explains the effective strategies they employ with both producers and buyers.
You have announced a new "Zorro" series in partnership with Paramount+. What new stories will this globally famous character bring to audiences?
"Our 'Zorro' series, starring Jean Dujardin, elevates this classic global IP to a modern, powerful level of mainstream family entertainment. Our retired hero Don Diego returns to his small town as mayor, but one night he decides to don his old Zorro costume again. With the help of his dear friend Bernardo, he once again fights for justice and peace for his fellow citizens. At the same time, he must win back his wife, who falls in love with the mysterious hero in black, without knowing his identity. It's a 'Zorro' full of twists and turns, a touch of romantic comedy, and plenty of action and fun. Created by Benjamin Charbit ('Under Control') and Noé Debré ('Parliament'), the 8x40-minute series is co-produced by Paramount+, France Télévisions, Le Collectif 64 (Marc Dujardin), and Bien Sûr Productions (Julien Seul), in co-production with Panache Productions (André Logie and Gaëtan David), RTL-Tvi, and Wallimage. Written by Benjamin Charbit, Noé Debré, and Emmanuel Poulain-Arnaud ('The Test'), the series is directed by Jean-Baptiste Saurel ('Parallels') and Emilie Noblet ('Parliament')."
The series will be launched on France Télévisions and then on Paramount+. When will this launch happen? Will it be available worldwide?
"The series has aired on Paramount+ France since September 6, and will soon be available on France TV."
Besides "Zorro," what are your highlights for the second part of the year?
"For the Unifrance RDV in Le Havre, we have brought the 6-episode premium series ‘Sea Shadows’, a new sci-fi crime series produced for France 2 prime time, starring Fleur Geffrier, as well as two new series for young adults: the poetic, urban series ‘A Night To Live’ (8x30') and our political and social satire ‘Enjoy!’ in the same format. We're excited to present season 2 of ‘The Aerobics Project’ (10x22'), a comedy combining aerobics and industrial espionage set in the 1980s. We’ll also showcase Commissioner Adamsberg’s new investigation ‘Beyond The Grave’ (2x90'), based on the latest book by renowned author Fred Vargas. This is a surprising investigation set in Brittany, combining local legends and eccentric inhabitants, and it will appeal to a wide audience. We're thrilled to present exciting new animated series like the second season of ‘Super Caribou’ and our brand-new preschool educational series ‘Moods’, which helps children and parents manage their emotions. On the factual side, we’re launching innovative documentaries such as ‘Chauvet: Humanity's First Great Masterpiece’, about the discovery of the world’s oldest cave paintings, and “AI: The Great Pompeii Puzzle”, exploring how AI is revolutionizing archaeological research."
Last year, France tv distribution’s light crime series and series aimed at younger audiences were in high demand. Will this trend continue in 2024?
"Yes, the trend for light crime shows continues. With the fifth season of ‘Bright Minds’, the series has become one of the best-selling French IPs globally, achieving remarkable ratings worldwide. The ‘Murder In’ collection continues to travel around the world with new episodes, making it one of the biggest collections of French crime series. Buyers appreciate the offbeat, modern style of the French characters in these series, combined with sophisticated storytelling and high-quality production. As I mentioned earlier, the success of young adult programs continues, and these series are increasingly targeting a broader audience. Rather than focusing solely on a younger teenage audience, there is a slight shift towards an older demographic."
How would you define this year for the company, and what are the main goals for 2025?
"This year, we've been reinforcing our existing strategy by focusing on our key series with a 360° approach. We’ve dedicated significant effort to helping producers secure pre-buy and financing partners through strong pre-production packaging and marketing. Our goal is to position these programs as both original creations and strong IPs, adaptable as formats worldwide, in order to maximize the potential of French content. Each sales strategy is carefully tailored to specific projects and programs. We have a robust global network of linear broadcasters, both public and private, as well as regional and global streamers, and we aim to match the right content with the right buyers at the optimal time. We're also continuing our development work with production partners, and this year, we’ve reached the stage where the first pitches will be brought to market."