OPTION
Transatlantic production powerhouse Sister (“Chernobyl”) has optioned the rights to adapt BAFTA and Emmy winning screenwriter and longtime collaborator Abi Morgan’s (“The Split”) “This is Not a Pity Memoir.” Morgan will adapt her book for screen, and also direct and executive produce, with Sister co-founder and chief creative officer, Jane Featherstone (“Landscapers”). The memoir follows Morgan’s family life after a tragic change in her family circumstance.
Morgan said: “Working with Jane and Sister over the last few tumultuous years, they have been my running partners, given a unique birds eye view on the unfolding drama. As producers of some of the best film and television out there, there is no one else I would trust to help bring the deeply personal ‘This is Not a Pity Memoir’ to the screen.”
Featherstone added: “Abi has such an extraordinary gift for words, so while it should be absolutely no surprise that her memoir is such a beautiful and powerful book, it still stunned me. We’ve worked together for many years but her incredible strength in these last few, very challenging ones, has been deeply inspirational. I feel truly privileged to be able to work with her to bring this very personal story to the screen.”
“This is Not a Pity Memoir” will be produced by Sister and co-produced with Little Chick Ltd. The book is published in the U.K. by John Murray and in the U.S. by Sugar 24, an imprint of HarperCollins. Global rights are handled by 42.
THINK TANK
The Creatives consortium has launched Creative Connection, a think tank for writers and producers designed to strengthen new and established writing talent in Europe and increase the quality of high-end series and share knowledge and expertise. It aims to connect writers to the group’s network of producers, funding, broadcasters, sales companies and creative talents and seed development of European content in a safe and curated environment. The initiative, which has received funding from the European Commission, has hired Laura Gragg as head of program, who will oversee both the content and logistical aspects, with the aid of outside experts and consultants. Gragg has held various jobs involving development, acquisitions and sales at companies such as Pandora, Pathé International and TF1 DA.
The Creatives founding members, Netherlands-based Lemming Film, Germany-based Razor Film and France-based Haut Et Court, will manage Creative Connection in collaboration with the group’s other members, with the support of Le Groupe Ouest. Established in 2020, the Creatives is an alliance of 10 independent production companies, which also include Good Chaos (U.K.), Komplizen Film (Germany), Maipo Film (Norway), Masha (U.S.), Spiro Film (Israel), Unité (France) and Versus Productions (Belgium).