Kew Media Distribution Extends Global Footprint for Multi Emmy®-Nominated Leaving Neverland
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
KEW MEDIA DISTRIBUTION EXTENDS GLOBAL FOOTPRINT FOR MULTI EMMY®-NOMINATED LEAVING NEVERLAND The film, which explores sexual abuse charges in connection with pop star Michael Jackson, becomes one of the best sold documentary features ever London, UK, July 30, 2019 – Leading global distributor KEW MEDIA DISTRIBUTION (KMD), part of KEW MEDIA GROUP INC. (“KEW MEDIA”, “KEW” or the “Company”) (TSX:KEW and KEW.WT), has now sold the controversial documentary, Leaving Neverland, to every territory in the world, excluding China. Nominated for five Emmy® Awards, including Outstanding Documentary or Non-Fiction Special and Outstanding Directing For a Documentary/Non-Fiction Programme, the Channel 4 and HBO co-production by award-winning director Dan Reed has been highly sought-after by broadcasters and platforms worldwide, securing record sales through key individual and pan-territory deals. More than 194 countries have aired, or are set to air, the acclaimed two-part documentary feature since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival at the start of this year, with KMD confirming sales in an additional 60+ territories since the previous sales announcement in March this year. A raft of channels which have acquired the documentary include Discovery Nove Italy, NRK Norway, LTV Latvia, RTL Belgium, LRT Lithuania, ProSieben and Joyn (Germany), Network 10 Australia, HBO Latin America, DR Denmark, VPRO Netherlands, SVT Sweden, M-Net Africa, Channel One Russia, VRT Belgium, Television New Zealand (TVNZ), Yes Israel, Amedia TV Russia, YLE Finland, Fox Networks Group Asia, Front Row Filmed Entertainment for broadcasters in Middle East, RUV Iceland, M6 France, HBO Portugal, Movistar+ Spain and HBO Europe operating in Central Europe. When allegations of sexual abuse by Michael Jackson involving young boys surfaced in 1993, many found it hard to believe that the King of Pop could be guilty of such unspeakable acts. Leaving Neverland explores the experiences of two young boys, in separate but parallel stories. James Safechuck (10) and Wade Robson (7) were each befriended by Jackson who invited them into his singular, fairy-tale world as his career reached its peak. Through gut-wrenching interviews with the now adult men and their families, Leaving Neverland crafts a portrait of sustained exploitation, deception and the complicated feelings that led both men to confront their abuse, only once they each had a young son of their own. Playing out against the backdrop of our collective experience, the film documents the value of breaking a long-held silence, even when it implicates a powerful and revered figure. Dan Reed comments “Since Leaving Neverland aired in March it has launched many important conversations about child sexual abuse and the grooming that accompanies it. This was why James and Wade and their families spoke out, and why we made the documentary. We’re 1 delighted that the Television Academy has honoured that purpose - and our dedicated creative team - with five Emmy® Award nominations.” Jonathan Ford, EVP of Sales at KMD, stated, “Leaving Neverland has seen unparalleled interest from broadcasters and platforms worldwide. KMD is one of the leading distributors of outstanding documentary programmes with the necessary expertise and experience to work with producers to ensure a hard-hitting, controversial film of this exceptional calibre receives the global audience it deserves.” LEAVING NEVERLAND, commissioned by HBO’s Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller and Channel 4’s Tom Porter and Daniel Pearl, is made by AMOS Pictures, and directed and produced by Dan Reed (The Paedophile Hunter, The Valley, Terror in Mumbai). About KEW MEDIA GROUP INC. KEW MEDIA GROUP is a leading publicly-listed content company that produces and distributes multi-genre content worldwide. Companies included in the KEW family are the production companies: Architect Films, Awesome, Bristow Global Media, Collins Avenue Productions, Essential Media Group, 4East Media, Frantic Films, Jigsaw Productions, Media Headquarters, Our House Media, Sienna Films, Spirit Digital Media, and Two Rivers Media; and the distribution companies: KEW MEDIA Distribution and TCB Media Rights. With primary offices in London, Los Angeles, New York, Sydney and Toronto, the KEW MEDIA GROUP companies develop, produce and distribute more than 2,000 hours of content every year, as well as distribute a library of more than 14,000 hours, to almost every available viewing platform internationally. KEW aspires to offer great content from all over the world to viewers of all ages and tastes. KEW promotes transparency, equality, respect, and inclusiveness and plans to grow with the benefit of people from a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds. About KEW MEDIA Distribution Kew Media Distribution, part of Kew Media Group, distributes a diverse catalogue of film, television and digital assets to broadcasters and viewing platforms across the world. Kew Media Distribution manages international rights to a library of over 11,000 hours of TV and digital content, including major drama series, non-fiction entertainment, special event programming, kids’ series, TV movies and mini-series. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.kewmedia.com. Source: KEW MEDIA GROUP INC. Media Contact: Debbie Lawrence The Lippin Company [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: KEW MEDIA GROUP INC. Steven Silver Chief Executive Officer [email protected] 2 .