London, Thursday 19^th March 2020 – Passion Distribution announces the launch of its very own Pop-Up Market. In light of MIPTV’s cancellation, leading British distributor Passion Distribution will be providing its key buyers and clients with a dedicated online market place. Along with scheduled video conferencing and with screening facilities ramped up, Passion Distribution is looking forward to providing much-needed quality content to broadcasters globally.

Headlining Passion Distribution line up for its Pop Up Market:

First, Ocean Autopsy (2 x 60’) from Tinopolis stable-mate Pioneer Productions. In this landmark BBC special event we explore the state of our oceans. Leading oceanographer Helen Czerski and zoologist Dr George McGavin perform a full health check from seabed to seashore. Much of the threat to the world’s oceans are man-made, and the expert team analyses how the oil industry, fishing, plastic waste, climate change and the rising level of medical drugs discarded into our seas are all degrading the oceans.

Epidemic: The Great Plague from Voltage TV and Motion Content Group for Channel 5 is an unmissable 3–part television event which will transform our understanding of the devastating epidemic that pushed the world into the modern age. Using a mixture of dramatic reconstruction, experimental science and historical record, Dr Xand van Tulleken, archaeologist Raksha Dave and journalist John Sargeant look at the new evidence on what happened and why during the plague outbreak that killed a quarter of London’s population in 1665.

Passion Distribution will also launch two new factual series Danceworks (8 x 30’) and Handmade in Africa (3 x 30’) as part of a new partnership with acclaimed indie ClearStory, run by the BAFTA and Grierson Award-winning Executive Producer Russell Barnes. Produced in partnership with the world-leading dance company, Sadler’s Wells, DANCEWORKS is an award-winning series of intimate, observational films which take viewers behind the scenes with extraordinary dancers and choreographers at different stages of their careers.

Also from ClearStory, documentary series Handmade in Africa (3 x 30') offers three in-depth portraits of contemporary African creative life, from three very different countries in the continent: Senegal, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Beautifully shot and hypnotic in its observation of intricate craftsmanship, the series immerses us in the creation of traditional objects with a rich heritage and in the life of the creators and their community.  Both series have been produced for BBC Four.

Middlechild Productions and Passion Distribution have also struck a new deal for a number of popular factual series produced for Channel 5: Fare Dodgers: At War with the Law (4 x 60’), Help! My Pet Hates Me (1 x 60’) and Dog Rescuers (16 x 60’), co-produced with Motion Content Group. The distributor also picked up the new series Motorway (4 x 60’) from Fearless TV, also for Channel 5. 

Also produced for Channel Five comes How to Deep Clean Your House (1 x 60’) a one hour special that tests just how clean our homes really are. Hosted by Aggie Mackenzie and supported by a team of scientists, a typical family home is tested and deep cleaned from top to bottom. Packed with useful cleaning methods and tips to keep your house free of bacteria that lurks unseen in our homes.

Inside the Police Force (4 x 60’) is a new four part series goes deep inside Lincolnshire’s busiest police station, with raw access to the officers the series explores the different departments of the force who are stretched to breaking point on every level, leading to in-the-moment decisions and no-frills action. From the control room to the frontline, the series leaves no stone unturned in this unflinching look, inside the police force. Produced by Mentorn Media for Channel Five.

In Miriam's Big Fat Adventure (2 x 60’) from Wild Pictures produced for BBC Two, Miriam Margolyes returns for another of her inimitable and unique takes on a controversial topic. In the documentary she looks at obesity and why when we are more health conscious than ever, people are still getting fatter.

The above acquisitions are just some of the exciting line up of Passion Distribution’s Pop Up Market. Other titles, announced at the Passion Distribution Showcase in February include:

Documentary #Trump: How Social Media Changed a Presidency (1 x 60’) produced by Pioneer Productions and commissioned and fully funded by Passion Distribution, chronicles the rise and rise of the first Twitter President. The cutting-edge contemporary history special provides a window into a presidency and a politician the likes of which we have never seen before.

In the 90 minute special and format, The Great British Urine Test (1 x 90’) the health of a nation is tested via their pee. Over one week, across 4 cities, the public’s urine is tested on a scale never seen before. Produced by Firecracker Films for Channel 5

RuPaul's Drag Race S12 (14 x 90’), the critically acclaimed search for America’s next Drag Superstar is back for its twelfth series and features quest stars including Nicki Minaj, Whoopi Goldberg and Jeff Goldblum. Produced by World Of Wonder for VH1.

Dynamo: Beyond Belief (3 X 60’) is a three-part magic special that combines jaw-dropping magic with the story of Dynamo’s road to recovery after the career threatening onslaught of chronic arthritis. From the neon lights of Tokyo to the Day of the Dead festival in San Miguel De Allende, Dynamo visits extraordinary and dramatic places all over the world. Produced by Motion Content Group, Phil McIntyre Entertainments and Inner Circle Films for Sky One.

Future Warfare (4 x 60’) looks at the game changers in military capabilities that are resetting the character of current and future warfare. Produced by Wildbear Entertainment.

Crime and Investigation series Frontline Police 24/7 (12 x 60’) tells the real dramatic stories of what police officers have to face, every day, around the world. Using footage from bodycams, force helicopters and CCTV – the series gives a unique first-hand perspective of the dangers they face, and the tactics they deploy to keep order. The series is produced by Workerbee for Channel 5.

Lifestyle series Twice the Life for Half the Price (6 x 60’) a brand-new inspirational series, in which presenter and country girl Kate Humble joins families who are looking to change their lives in a big way. They are all desperate to leave the rat race and radically improve their quality of life, while cutting down on what they spend, by moving to the countryside. Also available as a format the series is produced by Raise the Roof and Motion Content Group for Channel 5.

- ENDS - 

About Passion Distribution

Passion Distribution is a leading international distributor specialising in stand-out unscripted content across all platforms, ranging from award winning current affairs to long running entertainment franchises. International hit shows include RuPaul’s Drag Race, Dynamo: Magician Impossible, Make You Laugh Out Loud, Strangest Weather On Earth, Dr Christian Will See You Now and the Unreported World documentary series. Passion Distribution was set up in 2008 and in 2012 became part of the Tinopolis Group, integrating in its catalogue iconic brands including Robot Wars, Worst Driver, An Idiot Abroad, Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and Paradise Hotel.

The Passion team works with some of the most talented producers in the UK including AMOS Pictures, Lambent Productions, Sundog Pictures and many more. Passion also distributes content across the Tinopolis portfolio of production companies, including Firecracker Films, Mentorn Media, Magical Elves, A. Smith & Co. Productions, Pioneer Productions and Daybreak Pictures. The company is active in pre-selling, finding co-production partners and deficit funding third party content.

About Motion Content Group:  

Motion Content Group invests in premium content to create value and opportunities for partners and advertisers combining entertainment, media and advertising.  Motion uses its expertise, innovation and global infrastructure to fund, develop, produce & distribute both owned and third-party licensed content. Partnering with the world’s leading producers and distributors to deliver premium content to network and platforms, supporting their editorial, creative and commercial requirements.  Headquartered in London and Los Angeles, Motion currently operates in 29 countries worldwide and has a broad range of award-winning programming distributed globally.  

Follow Motion on Twitter here: @motion_content, Instagram: @MotionContentGroup and LinkedIn