‘How to Have Sex,’ ‘The Taste of Things’ Backer Umedia Launches Development Slate With Belgian Horror Comedy ‘Bloody Brixel Bar’ (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Ben Croll Brussels-based co-production and financing powerhouse Umedia — the backer of recent festival sensation “How to Have Sex” and French Oscar submission “The Taste of Things” — is branching out.

Complimenting co-production, tax shelter fundraising and VFX services through subsidiary UFX Studios, Umedia has now launched a development branch to bring in-house productions to the screen.

First among them is “Bloody Brixel Bar,” a YA-skewing horror comedy that Umedia co-CEO Bastien Sirodot describes as a Belgian answer to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Created by upcoming Belgian screenwriter Diane Ntahimpera in collaboration with Amélie Pernot and co-produced by Belgian Herios, the series follows a reluctant teenage hero, Olivia, tasked with a supernatural cleanup mission. “With all our activities thriving and with experienced production teams in-house, we believe it’s the perfect time to expand our horizons and venture into development,” Sirodot tells Variety. “’Bloody Brixel Bar’ is a horror series that draws upon superstitions and the culture of horror films to tell a family story that is both humorous and frightening.

Our goal is to create a true Belgian franchise.” Alongside “Bloody Brixel Bar,” Umedia is also developing a scripted comedy with a pair of local screenwriters and is sourcing various shorts and features to create a pipeline of approximately five projects per year. “These efforts will only reinforce our existing activities and strengthen our ties with Belgian broadcasters and distributors,” adds Sirodot. “As a result, we remain a strong partner for European producers, and we hope that our development activities will provide an opportunity to build closer relationships.” Jointly run by Sirodot and Laurent.