The Works’ first two international TV sales prospects are The Canyon and Starsuckers.

International film sales outfit The Works International is developing a new TV division, parent company The Works Media Group announced.

Michael Oesterlin, a TV sales veteran, is acting as consultant to develop the recently formed TV division. He has previously worked at 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, RHI and Alchemy.

At The Works International, he will oversee acquisitions, strategy and the sale of new and library titles for TV and home entertainment. 

Also, Balvinder Gill, former TV sales exec at Alchemy, has joined the team.

Carl Clifton, managing director of The Works International, said: “Working with Michael Oesterlin has added another dimension to our team. This year we will be attending MIPTV for the first-time in some years. Michael coming on board allows us to be more strategic in the exploitation of our rights and to maximize the revenues of our films, which only benefits our filmmakers. We can sell to ‘all rights buyers’ or go direct to the broadcaster or end user.  Balvinder has excellent experience in distribution but also in the legal and film financing fields which makes her a real asset.”

Clifton noted that the company would be interested in acquiring more films for TV sales, either single-film pick ups or libraries of titles.

The Works’ first two international TV projects are The Canyon and Starsuckers.

Survival drama The Canyon stars Yvonne Strahovski, Eion Bailey and Will Patton; Magnolia has already released theatrically in the US.

Chris Atkins’ celebrity culture documentary Starsuckers premiered at the London Film Festival and was released theatrically in the UK. Channel 4 has taken the project for broadcast in the UK, RTVE in Spain and DR in Denmark.

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