Event Coverage
Keshet International sells UK Drama ‘The A Word’ to Sweden public broadcaster
MUMBAI: Keshet International (KI) has sold its critically acclaimed, BBC One UK drama The A Word (6 x 60’) to Swedish public service broadcaster, SVT.
The deal follows an agreement with SundanceTV which came on board as the series’ US partner back in January 2016 in and will begin airing the series in summer 2016.
Premiering internationally at MIPTV 2016, The A Word was one of 12 world class dramas to screen as part of the inaugural MIPDrama Screenings on 3 April.
Its UK premiere on BBC One attracted 4.7 million (47 lakh) live viewers, consolidating at 6 million (60 lakh, excluding BBC iPlayer). The A Word was written by BAFTA winner and Golden Globe nominee Peter Bowker (Marvellous, Blackpool) and directed by Oscar nominee and BAFTA winner Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty, Rev). It is co-produced by Fifty Fathoms and Keshet UK for BBC One and centres around the messy, extended Hughes family which has a child newly diagnosed with autism at its centre.
SVT Sweden acquisitions executive series Henrik Palm said, “The A Word is a heartfelt family drama and a moving depiction of life with autism. We feel proud to team up with Keshet International on this fine BBC One drama, a project which we have followed with interest since its first Israeli incarnation.”
Keshet International distribution managing director Keren Shahar said, “The A Word is a truly unique family drama, that can be seen in both the reception it has had from press and the impact it has had on viewers. We’re delighted that SVT has decided to bring it to the discerning Swedish audience.”
The A Word is based on the original Israeli series Yellow Peppers which was created by Keren Margalit who is also executive producer on the UK series. It is produced by Marcus Wilson (Doctor Who, Life on Mars) and executive produced by Patrick Spence and Jenny Frayn for Fifty Fathoms, Sara Johnson and Avi Nir for Keshet, and Lucy Richer for BBC One.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
