Joachim Landau

Source: Federation Studios

Joachim Landau

Paris-based media group Federation Studios and its French production house Empreinte Digitale are teaming to launch Federation MEAC, a production subsidiary focused on the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean.

It will be run by Empreinte Digitale  producer Joachim Landau, now co-founding chairman. The aim is to connect local talent to international projects via productions and co-productions, with 15 films and series already in the works.  Manuela Cassuto is head of development.

Landau said the audiovisual market in the Federation MEAC territories is “expanding fast with a plethora of excellent writers, directors, actors and producers.” He added: “Their inventiveness and energy reflect those of Federation so much so that we just had to be present in these markets. We aim to help them grow internationally and to create synergies with our group, by sharing its formats, for example.’’

Federation’s managing director Uzan and Empreinte Digitale’s managing director Raphael Rocher will be on the board of Federation MEAC alongside Landau.

The move is the latest in Federation’s rapid global expansion. The group, rebranded to Federation Studios (formerly Federation Entertainment) in September complete with a new Group Chief Financial Officer Julie Gualino Daly and has been acquiring and partnering with production companies across the globe. France’s Robin & Co, Bonne Pioche, Cottonwood Media, Germany’s Glisk and the UK’s Vertigo Films are all part of Federation’s international group.

Recent productions include French cult spy series The Bureau, financial thrilled Bad Banks, Baby for Netflixteen drama Find Me in Paris and Around the World in 80 Days starring David Tennant.

Landau has produced documentaries, unscripted programmes and series for Empreinte Digitale, including space drama Infiniti, for Canal +,sci-fi Parallels for Disney+ and supernatural teen series The 7 Lives Of Lea for Netflix.

He began his career in the contents eivision at Orange before joining Empreinte Digitale in 2014. He co-created and is producing South African series Spinners for Empreinte Digitale, a co-production with Natives at Large now shooting in Cape Town for Canal+ and Showmax.