SND Acquires World Sales for Bérénice Bejo Starrer ‘Alice: Pioneer of Cinema’

Paris-based film and television studio SND, a division of the French media group M6, has acquired the world sales rights for the high-end period drama series "Alice: Pioneer of Cinema." This significant acquisition was announced ahead of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre, a key event for French film promotion. The series stars Oscar-nominee Bérénice Bejo, known for her role in "The Artist," as Alice Guy, a groundbreaking figure recognized as the very first female fiction filmmaker. The six-part series is a co-production commissioned by HBO Max and France Télévisions, indicating a substantial investment and anticipated broad audience reach. "Alice: Pioneer of Cinema" aims to chronicle the life and career of Alice Guy, whose pioneering work in the early days of cinema often went uncredited or was attributed to male colleagues. Guy began her filmmaking career in 1896, directing and producing hundreds of films, including "La Fée aux Choux" (The Cabbage Fairy), considered by many to be the first fictional film ever made. Her innovative techniques and prolific output laid foundational groundwork for narrative filmmaking, yet her contributions were largely overlooked for decades. The series is expected to shed light on her directorial vision, her struggles for recognition in a male-dominated industry, and her lasting impact on the cinematic art form. The involvement of Bérénice Bejo, an acclaimed actress with a proven track record in period dramas, further elevates the project's profile. SND's role as the world sales agent means they will be responsible for distributing the series to international markets, negotiating broadcast and streaming deals beyond the initial territories of HBO Max and France Télévisions. This strategic move by SND positions "Alice: Pioneer of Cinema" for global distribution and aims to capitalize on the growing international appetite for biographical dramas and stories celebrating overlooked historical figures. The series' production by HBO Max and France Télévisions underscores the platform's commitment to high-quality, international co-productions that explore significant cultural and historical narratives. The Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre serves as a crucial platform for French cinema to connect with international buyers and distributors, making it an opportune moment for SND to launch its sales efforts for this ambitious project. The narrative of Alice Guy, a woman who defied societal expectations and pioneered a new medium, resonates with contemporary themes of female empowerment and the re-evaluation of historical contributions. The series is slated for a world premiere on HBO Max and France Télévisions, with further international release plans to be detailed by SND as sales negotiations progress. The project represents a significant effort to bring the story of one of cinema's most important, yet often forgotten, pioneers to a global audience.