I am sure that is not the case in our market, but I think it will be in the coming years because we can see that it is working really well in other countries. Besides, we are looking for good dramas to adapt locally. Montironi affirms that, when shootings begin, producers will choose those scripts that "tell very romantic stories, love stories and contents that reflect the interests of the French audience."

Documentaries, drama and animation
Montironi explains that Tele Images sets up programs for French channels and the international market, and also searches for foreign producers' ideas. The company is focused on three genres: documentary, drama and animation. Montironi reveals animation is in fact the best-adapted genre in Latin America. "We have a big hit called Street Football, which we sold to Cartoon Network Latin America, and the Mexican Televisa," she states.

The company develops co-productions. Together with an Australian producer, they made a show called Pirate Islands, whose format has been sold worldwide, even to networks such as ITV and Fox. Latin American markets, however, are still a little bit reluctant to accept French fiction. "It is quite tough to sell them to Latin American markets," she maintains. Nevertheless, with the same optimism that makes her affirm there is a market for telenovelas in France, she rounds off: "We are confident of Latin America because we offer really good miniseries, thrillers and very enthralling dramas, just the way Latin Americans like."

Co-productions and a great catalogue

• They have co-produced with Canadian and Australian companies.
• It is one of the main distribution companies in France and Europe, with strong visibility of their dramas in all French networks.
• In 2006, Télé Images joint other three leading French audiovisual companies – Marathon (Pascal Breton), Marathon Media (Vincent Chalvon Demersay), and Adventure Line Productions (Denis Mermet) – to create Marathon Group, which became the second production and distribution company in France.

Télé Images is headed by Nicolas Coppermann, who is in charge of talented producers such as Christian Charret and Jacques Salles (GTV), Nicole Flipo (Télé Images Création), Yann Chassard (Dramatik) and Stéphane Moatti (Thalie Images), among others.

Télé Images International, the subsidiary distribution company of the group which is under the supervision of Marie-Laure Montironi, has a leading position in the international market thanks to its co-productions and varied catalogue that includes programs such as NHK, among their best offers.

Pirate Island