9 April, 2008
London, 09th April 2008 – Greg Phillips, President of Fireworks International, the television distribution arm of ContentFilm plc, today announced the appointment of Melissa Wohl to Senior Vice-President, based in Los Angeles.
The announcement sees Fireworks International take responsibility for the U.S. and International television sales of the Allumination FilmWorks catalogue. Allumination FilmWorks, ContentFilm’s DVD distribution arm based in the U.S., has a portfolio of approximately 700 quality titles in all major categories including various music specials and children’s/family feature titles.
Wohl brings over fifteen years of industry experience, previously Senior VP of International Sales at Allumination and, prior to that, VP of Sales and Acquisitions at Harmony Gold — a programming library now distributed by Fireworks International. Wohl has also held positions in sales and development at WTTW-TV, the most watched PBS station in the US and Hearst Entertainment.
Greg Phillips, President at Fireworks International commented today, “We are delighted to have Melissa on board and part of our LA-based sales team. Melissa’s wealth of experience and market knowledge will be a tremendous asset to the company.”
As part of the Fireworks International MIPTV slate, Wohl will be showcasing five outstanding films targeted for international distribution. Films include the animated adventure PIPER PENGUIN AND HIS FANTASTIC FLYING MACHINES, the family-friendly comedy BIG DEAL, the topical cross-cultural drama ESL, the adrenaline-fueled action epic BORDER LOST and the chilling horror anthology THE UNKNOWN TRILOGY.
Piper Penguin and his Fantastic Flying Machines
Piper Penguin has a dream… to invent a machine that will let penguins fly. But pursuing his dream has made him the laughing stock of Penguinville High. Even with the help of his friends Pepperoni, a fearless test pilot, Winthrop, a walrus that wants to be a rock star, and Penny, who has a crush on Piper, Piper’s inventions never quite come together. Penny, in charge of the Penguinville High prom, patiently waits for Piper to ask her to the dance, but the Big Penguin on Campus, Punch, beats him to it. His dad, a famous inventor in his own right, tries to help, but Piper’s latest flying contraption almost destroys the prom. When Wiley, the killer whale and mortal enemy of all penguins, sets a deadly trap for Penny and the citizens of Penguinville, only Piper can come to their rescue. But to do so, Piper must realize his dream… for a penguin to actually fly!
Big Deal
Big Deal, directed by Don Most (Happy Days), stars Treat Williams (Ms. Congeniality 2: Armed and Dangerous), Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite), Charlotte Ross (“NYPD Blue”), Curtis Armstrong (Ray), Annabelle Gurwitch (Daddy Day Care) and Doug Hutchison (The Green Mile, The Salton Sea). Big Deal is a story about best pals and business partners Steve and Harry, whose failing company lands the ‘deal of a lifetime’ that will bring their business and lives out of the dumps — with the help of dairy cows in heat and some greedy corporate moguls. However, ‘the deal’ ultimately challenges the characters’ perception of loyalty and tests the bonds of true friendship.
ESL
A stranger in a strange land, Bolivar De La Cruz (Kuno Becker) has just crossed the border from Mexico in search of a better life. In contrast, restless, club-hopping second-generation immigrant Lola Sara (Danielle Camastra) has the American Dream at her fingertips but feels like a stranger in her own life, forever caught between appeasing her old-world mother (Maria Conchita Alonso, Moscow on the Hudson) and following her heart. On the surface, despite their shared ethnic heritage, Bolivar and Lola have little in common. But when their lives unexpectedly and violently clash, these two people from very different sides of the same culture find themselves on a collision course with events that will change their lives forever!
Border Lost
Thousands of people cross the border each day only to find themselves preyed upon by vicious criminals. In order to stop the violence and bloodshed, an elite task force is created to protect the unprotected. But when the operation is shut down due to politics and red tape, all hell breaks loose as the newly emboldened “bandeleros” expand their ruthless reign of terror. Now, with one of their own murdered and another missing, three agents decide to take the law into their own hands. Each driven by his own convictions, these unsung heroes risk their lives to exact justice – and vengeance – in this gripping tale full of love, loss and bravery.
The Unknown Trilogy
Somewhere, between the boundaries of life and death, lays the darkest places in the human heart. In these dimly lit recesses crouch fears older than mankind itself. Yet only by visiting this netherworld from time to time can we hope to unearth what lurks just beyond the grasp of our imaginations. The Unknown Trilogy dares to navigate these shadowy passages in a trio of chilling tales that will make you glad you decided to come along for the ride. Angie Everhart (Tales from the Crypt: Bordello of Blood), Costas Mandylor (Saw III and IV), Ed O’Ross (“Six Feet Under,” Red Heat, Full Metal Jacket) and Abe Vigoda (The Godfather, Look Who’s Talking, “Barney Miller”) headline this supernatural anthology.
About Fireworks International Fireworks International, a division of the UK’s ContentFilm plc, acquires and distributes an extensive slate of television programs, feature films and digital content throughout the world. Fireworks’ library of over 2300 hours of programming includes JPOD, thirteen-one hours of comedy drama full of amusing and evil twists; BLOOD TIES, twenty-two hours of mystery drama with a touch of the supernatural; HEAVY Worldwide’s newest comedy and animated series as well as library from the highly successful U.S. digital brand HEAVY.com; kids’ gothic horror comedy series YOUNG DRACULA from CBBC; comedy series THE JANE SHOW and mystery drama series WHISTLER; along with action/adventure series Gene Roddenberry’s ANDROMEDA, MUTANT X, and RELIC HUNTER; children’s programs BLACK HOLE HIGH, 100 DEEDS FOR EDDIE MCDOWD, CAITLIN’S WAY; plus over 200 U.S. network miniseries and TV movies of the week; and over 100 theatrical feature films, and specials including the 2006 and 2007 Annual U.S. PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS shows.
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For further information, please contact:
Fireworks International:
Jennifer Brinkworth
Vice-President, Marketing and Communications
Tel + 00 44 (20) 7851 6517
www.contentfilm.com
