Entertainment Studio Ramps Up International Sales and Licensing for the Film Trilogy as the Newly Commissioned Second Installment ‘Good Stars’ Wraps Up Production

TORONTO, (October 17, 2016) – On the heels of the success of the first installment in the L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables film series, and the ordering of the next two by Canadian broadcaster Corus Entertainment’s YTV, Breakthrough Entertainment has secured an added relationship with the Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc. to globally represent merchandising interests related to  their new Anne of Green Gables film franchise.

First published in 1908, Anne of Green Gables remains an iconic work of Canadian literature, which has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. The eight classic Anne of Green Gables novels set in P.E.I. have attracted generations of readers inspired by the adventures of the spirited redhead Anne Shirley, who comes to stay at Green Gables and wins the hearts of everyone she meets.

Today, L.M. Montgomery’s granddaughter Kate Macdonald Butler manages the family owned company, Heirs of L.M. Montgomery Inc., which authorized and endorsed the new Breakthrough film adaptations of Anne of Green Gables. Through her partnership with Breakthrough Entertainment, Macdonald Butler serves as Executive Producer on the rebooted film series. “Our family and the Anne Authority have chosen to broaden the scope of our relationship with Breakthrough Entertainment because of the integrity with which they have maintained the legacy of my Grandmother’s cherished work. We are working closely with the executives at Breakthrough to ensure that legacy continues for another hundred years,” stated Kate Macdonald Butler,  granddaughter of L.M. Montgomery.

The newly inked deal enables Breakthrough to license merchandise related to their Anne of Green Gables films and also to support the Anne of Green Gables brand which is globally recognized from the books, which have been published in over 20 languages.  The first film in this new series will be watched by millions of families worldwide through broadcasters YTV in Canada, PBS in the United States, ITV in the UK, and ARD in Germany, and has had a recent theatrical release in Australia and New Zealand.  “ We are delighted to be working further with Breakthrough Entertainment to launch a robust Anne of Green Gables global film merchandise licensing program,” added Kate Macdonald Butler.

This coveted worldwide licensing agreement with Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc. (which is jointly owned by the heirs of L.M. Montgomery and the Province of P.E.I.) is a five-year, worldwide deal which will allow Breakthrough to use various Anne-related images and trademarks not only to support these exciting new films, but also to continue to enhance the iconic characters, through licensed products, that fans have loved for decades.

Ira Levy, Partner, Executive Producer said, “We are very excited to be representing this classic Canadian property. Anne Shirley’s enduring values of kindness to others, safe adventures and the importance of sharing stories with family are as relevant today as they were over a century ago. Breakthrough’s global connections will enable the Anne of Green Gables brand to reach the millions of families who find delight in sharing in her adventures.”

Most recently, the entertainment studio firmed a trilogy production deal with Corus Entertainment’s YTV who has commissioned, Good Stars and Fire & Dew, the second and third instalments of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Ella Ballentine (Anne Shirley), Martin Sheen (Matthew) and Sara Botsford (Marilla) returned for the sequels along with director, John Kent Harrison, who also wrote Good Stars. Susan Coyne returns as writer on Fire & Dew.

“We are off to such an amazing start with the first installment and I am confident that audiences will continue to be charmed by the warmth, humour and strong family values of the cherished classic Anne of Green Gables property,” further added Butler.

* The second instalment of the series is set to release in 2017, while the third instalment will release in 2018.

About Breakthrough Entertainment
Breakthrough Entertainment Inc. is an award winning producer and distributor of premium content for worldwide audiences. The entertainment studio’s operations include the development and distribution of feature films, television and digital content; international co-productions and production services. Breakthrough’s digital media division ranks amongst the industry’s most respected producers of high quality interactive entertainment on mobile and online platforms. Established over 30 years ago, Breakthrough’s library now boasts over 40 feature films and 4000 television episodes which air on major networks and digital channels across the globe. The studio has been recognized with international awards including numerous Geminis, Canadian Screen Awards, and Canadian Comedy Awards. www.breakthroughentertainment.com. Follow @breakthru_ent on Twitter.

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