On the occasion of the 22nd Unifrance TV Export Awards, presented to France tv distribution for Bright Minds — Season 5, in the Fiction category, Catherine Bernard, Deputy Managing Director, and Julia Schulte, Director of International Sales, look back on the series' international success and discuss upcoming projects.
Produced by JLA Production in 2022, Bright Minds follows the adventures of a pair of female detectives who join forces to solve criminal cases.
Unifrance : Could you please introduce your company?
Julia Schulte & Catherine Bernard : France tv distribution is the sales subsidiary of the state owned French audiovisual group. France tv distribution partners with producers and rights holders to maximize the revenue of their programs across all media platforms, including video and VOD publishing, music, magazines and books, ancilliary rights, as well as the distribution and financing of audiovisual programs. The sales (distribution department) is headed by Julia Schulte and handles over 8000 hours of programing for sales all over the world.
What’s the pitch of your programme in a few words?
Julia Schulte & Catherine Bernard : Bright Minds is a French light crime series following an unlikely duo: Astrid, a brilliant autistic archivist with an exceptional memory, and Raphaëlle, an intuitive and impulsive police commander. Together, they solve complex murder cases by combining pure logic with street-smart instincts. Beyond the investigations, the series explores friendship, difference, and mutual growth with warmth and humor.
In which key territories did you sell it?
Julia Schulte & Catherine Bernard : The TV series has been sold over 100 territories, across the largest European territories, but as well as in Latin America, in Canada and in Japan, where the series has become a true phenomenon!
According to you, what convinced the buyers to vote for Bright Minds — S5 ?
Julia Schulte & Catherine Bernard : The series travels well internationally because it combines a classic, universally appealing light crime tone with a fresh and distinctive duo. The contrast between logic and intuition, order and chaos, is instantly understandable across cultures. Its themes of inclusion and friendship resonate globally, while the episodic case structure makes the series easy to program across both traditional broadcasters and platforms.
What’s next for Bright Minds, after winning this award (new season, adaptation) ?
Julia Schulte & Catherine Bernard : Production is continuing, with additional seasons. At the same time, we are continuing our remake strategy, notably with the English remake which is now in its second season, and multiple options in European countries.
Discover the trailer of Bright Minds ⬇️
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