Factual

BossaNova Media is heading into its 2026 Development Day with a series of new international sales for recent greenlights, as the distributor continues to expand the decade-old initiative designed to fast-track the commissioning and production of factual projects with international potential. Among the latest deals, Roman Empire by Train, Professor Alice Roberts’ fourth travelogue in search of ancient civilisations, has been sold to SBS in Australia, VRT in Belgium, Movistar in Spain and BBCS in the US, Poland and Africa.
Meanwhile, Days That Shocked the World, produced by UK factual specialist BriteSpark Films, part of Argonon Group, has secured deals with Novo 19 in France, Radial in the US and Sky Germany. The title had previously been acquired by Discovery EMEA and Sky NZ, SBS Australia, Channel 4 in the UK and TV2 Denmark.

Also joining the sales slate is Ruins: Rise and Fall, an 8 x 60’ history mystery series acquired by RTL Germany. Produced by Like a Shot Entertainment, the series travels to eight locations around the world, using hyper-realistic digital restorations and immersive 3D-CGI to recreate ancient ruins, from Mongolian fortress cities lost in the sands to Roman settlements built to defend against Celtic warrior hordes. The entire production budget for Ruins: Rise and Fall was guaranteed, while BossaNova has also fully cash flowed another in-house greenlight, The Land That Made Us, produced in association with Alice Roberts.

Paul Heaney said: ‘BossaNova has been through a necessary proper transformation this year, amping up sales and acquisitions teams whilst still moving quickly. Keeping that nimble boutique appeal is vital for us being able to compete, along with cashflowing and financing which is so important.… One of our key MIPCOM launches, Ruins: Rise and Fall, made by seasoned producers who have been successful in this sphere for years is a great example of how we work. Bestsellers like Borderforce USA, Airport Security and the Ancient...by Train with Alice Roberts strand really point to how returnability and the opportunity to build a brand with multiple seasons around a concept is in high demand.’

Ahead of Development Day on October 8, BossaNova is also preparing an edition focused particularly on brands and franchises, with new briefs submitted by US channel partners including Radial, iD, History Channel and Oxygen. AI-powered content studio Gennie Studio joins the event as a new sponsor, alongside returning sponsor Getty Images.

The company has also appointed Lavell Charlemagne as its new strategic operations and finance director. Charlemagne joins with experience supporting cross-functional teams through international market expansions while safeguarding brand equity and intellectual property, and has held full-time and consultancy roles with agencies and publishers including Rankin and the Dazed Group. Leading Development Day for the first time this year is Head of Acquisitions Francesca Johnson, who joined BossaNova earlier this year. Her role has recently expanded to include US sales, with the US identified as a leading market for presales. She will take on the responsibility as part of her acquisitions role, working with buyers she has formed relationships with throughout her career.