“The addition of these two markets aligns with our ongoing expansion strategy that we began rolling out earlier this year,” said Patrice Theroux, President, Filmed Entertainment at eOne. “Scandinavia broadens our existing footprint in Europe while South Africa extends the eOne brand to another country where English content is widely distributed and consumed.”

eOne’s programming acquisition strategy has created a powerful international distribution division and the company is expanding its extensive library of international titles, including actively acquiring rights for the countries in its distribution network. The company’s ongoing investment in production and rights acquisition across the film; family; and TV drama genres has fuelled its expansion, allowing eOne to maximise revenue generating opportunities while minimising risk.

In preparation for the expansion, eOne has been acquiring content rights for both markets and recently secured Scandinavian rights for Teddy Chan’s China period thriller Bodyguards and Assassins as well as Lemmy – a documentary on the life of Lemmy Kilmister, founding member of the mega metal band, Motorhead.

Along with these two features, titles lined-up for September release in Scandinavia through AB Svensk Filmindustri (SF), including Damage starring ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin; mixed martial arts film, Death Warrior; British gangster flick, The Big I Am; and David DeFalco’s Wrong Side.

The latter two titles will be among the first eOne films to hit the South Africa market through Next Entertainment. Other titles will include Universal Soldier: Regeneration, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolf Lundgren; Dolan’s Cadillac – based on a short story by Stephen King; and Give Em Hell Malone, starring Thomas Jane of HBO’s Hung.

“Our expanded presence is allowing us to acquire rights on a broader scale and distribute content across several formats, including DVD; TV; and digital, in multiple territories,” said Theroux. “Similar to the recent additions of France; Australia; and New Zealand, eOne International Television will oversee sales to international digital outlets and local television networks while eOne-branded DVD titles will be released through local distributors. This model allows us to establish our brand in multiple territories without the significant costs associated with an acquisition.”