Based in Rome, BIM specialises in the distribution of international art house films and productions from independent directors, previously handling renowned titles such as The Motorcycle Diaries, Brokeback Mountain and Fahrenheit 9/11.
"The deal with BIM is an important step for Zodiak International and puts us well on the way to establishing ourselves as an international distributor of drama. We are now building a drama portfolio with huge sales potential with shows like Millennium and other titles like Yellow Bird's Wallander films for the BBC", says Jörg Roth, MD of Zodiak International.
Currently, Zodiak International is in negotiations with several other countries over the Millennium films. Meanwhile, Yellow Bird is shooting two TV films based on the second book in the Millennium trilogy, "The Girl Who Played With Fire". In Sweden and Denmark, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" premiers in cinemas during February 2009.
For further information, please contact:
Mikael Wallén, MD Yellowbird
+46-704312115
Jörg Roth, MD Zodiak International
+44-7818048801
Deb Lawrence, Lippin Group
+44 20 3008 5406
Yellow Bird is one of the largest Scandinavian producers of TV and feature films. It has also recently entered the German market, by starting a subsidiary in Munich. The company aims at large co-productions between primarily the Nordic countries and Germany. Typically, the films are based on well known books within well known genres, such as crime.
Yellow Bird is currently producing 13 new Swedish movies about Henning Mankell's criminal inspector Wallander, three Wallander movies for BBC1 (with Kennet Branagh in the leading role), and Stieg Larsson's critically acclaimed Millennium trilogy.
Previous productions include the first Swedish series about Wallander as well as six TV movies about criminal inspector Irene Huss, based on the books by Helene Tursten.
Yellow Bird is part of Zodiak Television, one of the largest production groups in Europe.
Zodiak Television is one of the most innovative and creative producers of content in the world today comprised of a perfect blend of more than twenty successful international businesses. Zodiak International distributes content produced by Zodiak Television, as well as third party producers, to clients throughout the world.
Zodiak Television AB companies include Bullseye (UK), Diverse Productions (UK), Lucky Day (UK), Red House (UK), Zodiak International (UK), Kanakna (Belgium, Netherlands), Palm Plus (Netherlands), Social Club Productions (Denmark), Mastiff (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Ukraine, Poland), Jarowskij (Sweden, Finland), 5th Element (Sweden), Yellow Bird (Sweden, Germany), T&T Broadcasters (Finland), TeleAlliance Media Group (Russia, Belarus), Dixi Media (Russia), YS Films (Ukraine) and SOL (India).
Zodiak Television is, since Summer 2008, wholly owned by the Italian group De Agostini and is no longer a public company.
