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Berlin — In the run-up to the Berlinale Series Market, the Endemol Shine Group announced the launch of a new and powerful scripted label in Berlin, MadeFor Film, headed by joint CEOs, Nanni Erben and Gunnar Juncken. Here, “The Bridge” executive producer Lars Blomgren, who was appointed Endemol Shine head of scripted, Emea in June 2018 – after already heading up its Filmlance company – paints the bigger picture:

The volume of scripted series production has ramped up dramatically in Germany – as Spain, Italy and France – over the last few years. There’s little indication that this international growth in scripted will stop. Is the demand for higher-end global series the key explanation for the creation of MadeFor Film?

Absolutely. We are growing. In 2018, we made 50 non-English language scripted series, and 69 last year out of 92 in total for Endemol Shine.

How will you work with already established companies in Germany?

MadeFor is part of...

“Black Mirror” and “Peaky Blinders” producer Endemol Shine Group has set up a new scripted label in Germany, Variety can reveal.

Based in Berlin and led by joint CEOs Nanni Erben and Gunnar Juncken, MadeFor Film will focus on both high-end TV series and feature films for the domestic and international markets, as well as co-productions within the wider Endemol Shine Group, as well as with other platforms and partners.

Endemol Shine’s expansion into Germany follows Banijay’s $2.2 billion acquisition of the production-distribution powerhouse in October.

The deal, currently in the anti-trust period, is expected to close this summer. At that point, Endemol Shine’s MadeFor will join Banijay’s existing German production banners, including Brainpool, Good Times and Banijay Prods. Germany, which have largely focused on unscripted content. It is as yet unclear whether some of Banijay’s production subsidiaries in the territory may be merged following the deal’s closure.

Cologne, Germany -- German comedy outfit Brainpool is producing a feature film based on the cult TV series "Stromberg," the German adaptation of the BBC hit "The Office."

Writer and series co-creator Ralf Husmann will pen the script to the feature, which is planned as the finale to the sitcom's fourth season.

Christoph Maria Herbst will star as the incompetent boss of a small-time insurance office, the role that made him famous in Germany.

In its third season on Pro7, "Stromberg" already has run longer than its BBC predecessor and has even spawned a spinoff, "Beruhmt" (Famous), which follows the misadventures of office brown-noser Ernie. That series, which Husmann also is writing, will debut on Pro7 next year.