‘Ghosts’ Producer Developing TV Version Of Podcast About Prolific British Con Woman; Paddy & Molly Doc; Melbourne Film Fest Hire; Fremantle Promotion – Global Briefs

By Max Goldbart, Zac Ntim

January 17, 2024 4:47am

‘Ghosts‘ Producer Developing TV Version Of Podcast About Prolific British Con Woman

Ghosts producer Monumental Television is developing a TV version of a podcast about one of the most prolific fraudsters in British history. The indie has secured rights to Filthy Ritual, which is about Juliette D’Souza, who at the turn of the century wreaked havoc on a number of people’s lives until a rag-tag team of her victims came together to fight for justice. Described by her neighbors as being like ‘a knife in a velvet glove’, D’Souza claimed to have a special connection to an ancient source of power and wisdom deep in the Amazonian jungle, and she is said to have made at least £1M through extortion and manipulation. ITV Studios-backed Monumental makes BBC One smash Ghosts, which has been adapted for CBS, along with the likes of ITV’s Maryland and UKTV’s The Marlow Murder Club. “We were absolutely gripped by the stranger-than-fiction true crime story of Filthy Ritual and fell in love with the quirky Hampstead community who came together to get justice,” said Monumental Co-Founder Alison Owen.

UFC Fighters Paddy & Molly Set For BBC Doc

UFC fighters Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann are to be followed in a documentary on BBC Three. Hello Mary is behind Paddy & Molly: Show No Mersey, charting the charismatic MMA fighters who are making a huge impact on one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Pimblett is infamously known to be brash and full of bravado in and out of the cage, whilst McCann is introspective and emotionally raw but no less outgoing. “BBC Three has established a track record in lifting the lid on some extraordinary, unexpected yet highly relevant talent to young audiences in the UK, so when we got the opportunity to work with these two brilliant, technicolour sportspeople we simply couldn’t refuse,” said Nasfim Haque, Head of Content at BBC Three.

Melbourne International Film Festival Hires CEO

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has hired Damien Hodgkinson, former Melbourne International Comedy Festival head, to the newly created role of CEO. The festival said Hodgkinson will play a pivotal role in shaping its future, including advancing MIFF’s purpose to “discover and showcase exceptional film talent and cinematic artistry and to deliver compelling festival experiences for audiences.” Hodgkinson spent 11 years at the helm of Melbourne International Comedy Festival as its Executive Director. Before that, he served as Executive Director of Operations and Company Secretary with the Australia Business Arts Foundation and has also been CEO of Melbourne Fringe Festival. He will start the role in March. Commenting on his appointment, Hodgkinson said: “I am both excited and honored to join the MIFF team and for the opportunity to lead this iconic Festival through this next phase. MIFF is a beloved part of Melbourne’s winter experience and cultural expression, and more broadly, it plays an increasingly important role in the global and local film industry.”

Fremantle Promotes Jill Kellie To VP Commercial Strategy

Fremantle scripted exec Jill Kellie has been promoted to the newly-created role of VP of Commercial Strategy. Reporting to commercial/international boss Jens Richter and working with the Commercial and International leadership team, Kellie will head up commercial strategy and overall business development for the super-indie, working across distribution, FAST and digital. “In a time of rapidly changing and evolving business models, I am looking forward to working very closely with her to shape a robust and dynamic global growth strategy,” said Richter.