Producer and international film and media financing specialist Alan Harris has joined the new Australian TV drama arm of global production and distribution company Keshet International as Keshet Australia’s Head of Scripted.
Keshet Australia is a joint venture between Keshet International and RACAT, the production group owned by former FOX networks executive David Haslingden, which includes NHNZ, Beach House Pictures and Australia’s Northern Pictures. Keshet created and produced TV drama Prisoners of War, the original Israeli version of prime time Emmy-winner Homeland.
Under the joint venture, RACAT’s Northern Pictures has the rights to over 50 Keshet International properties that it will look to adapt under the Keshet Australia banner for the local market.
Harris will be responsible for the development, financing and production of all scripted programming for the new company, developing relationships with local broadcasters and building co-production partnerships.
He was previously Head of Production at Atlantic Film Group where he produced feature films including Dean Spanley with Peter O’Toole and Sam Neill and Love Birds with Sally Hawkins and Rhys Darby.
“Keshet has bold, risk taking television drama and comedy, skilfully executed and with strong storytelling at its heart. This is the ethos that will underpin the Australian operation.” Harris says.
“Whether the adaptation of award winning, internationally proven comedy and drama for an Australian audience or the development in-house of series, mini-series or TV movies that can, in turn, be sold internationally or reformatted for a global marketplace, Keshet Australia has the support of production bases in Tel Aviv, London, Toronto and LA and access to in-house international distribution.”
Northern Pictures’ CEO Sue Clothier said: “Keshet International is one of the world’s most dynamic production companies and it has expanded significantly over recent years. Alan brings to the company his considerable talents in creative development and production and in the structuring of international co-productions and finance.”
