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

Max Goldbart and Zac Ntim
·3 min read
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‘Ghosts’ Producer Developing TV Version Of Podcast About Prolific British Con Woman

Ghosts producer Monumental Television is developing a TV version of a Global 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.

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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

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