MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor Endemol is further building its scripted business in France.

Gaumont executive Jean-Beno?t Gillig is joining Endemol France along with his scripted production operation L?onis. As part of Endemol France?s scripted division Endemol Fiction, L?onis will produce series for prime time and daytime as well as feature length TV movies. Gillig?s role will also include the development of international co-productions for Endemol Group.

Projects currently underway at L?onis include ?La M?thode? Claire, a 90 minute drama for M6, starring Mich?le Laroque, which will be presented at La Rochelle Fiction Festival, and ?L?hiver du Pr?sident?, a political one off special for Canal+.

Gilig reports to Nicolas Coppermann who was appointed Endemol France MD in June and now also becomes Endemol Fiction MD.

Virginie Calmels continues as Endemol Fiction CEO in addition to her roles as Endemol France chairman and Endemol Group COO, which she took up in May this year.

Also incorporated within Endemol Fiction is production operation Les Films de la Prod, which has already produced successful scripted programming for the French market.

Nora Melhi, former Head of Endemol Fiction, is stepping down and departing from Endemol.

Calmels said, "I am thrilled to have such a high calibre of talent with us. I am in no doubt that with Nicolas, Jean-Beno?t and the brilliant team at Endemol Fiction, we will soon reach our target of having scripted represent 20% of our business in France."

This announcement follows a sustained period of expansion in scripted programming for Endemol, with revenue growth of over 81 per cent from 2008 to 2011 including 34 per cent year on year growth in 2011. Last year Endemol?s scripted business generated over 2000 hours of programming and revenues of ?328 million, representing 24 per cent of Group revenue.

MUMBAI: ?Three Blind Saints?, the family-friendly comedy about three childhood friends scheming to make it big, has signed a deal with FilmWorks Entertainment Inc. for worldwide distribution.

The US release is set just in time for Thanksgiving and the film will be available on DVD, digital and video-on-demand on 20 November. International sales efforts will begin this October at the television trade event Mipcom, which will be held in Cannes, France.

FilmWorks Entertainment is an independent film, television, and specialty programme distribution company. Established by film makers for film makers, FilmWorks acquires, produces and releases programming worldwide across all platforms.

It is the story of three guys whose road trip turns into a jail sentence. Pretending to get saved, their scheme backfires when the judge assigns them to a local church for community service. When corruption is discovered, it?s up to the guys to rise to the occasion and prove they have what it takes to do the right thing in this hilarious fish-out-of-water tale.

Executive producer and writer of the film, Steven J. Gray is pleased to partner with FilmWorks Entertainment for distribution. "We?re excited to share the fun and inspiring message of this movie with audiences worldwide." Many of Gray?s church congregation worked alongside cast and crew from Hollywood for the filming of the movie shot in the Lee?s Summit and Kansas City areas.

MUMBAI: Jerome Delhaye has been named Reed Mdiem director of the entertainment division.

Delhaye will oversee the business and strategic development of Reed Midem, which organises markets like Mipcom and MipTV in Cannes, France.

Reed Midem Television Division director Laurine Garaude and Reed Midem director of music markets Bruno Crolot will report directly to Delhaye.