FIRST GENERATION FILMS CLOSES DEVELOPMENT DEAL

TO ADAPT JEFF LEMIRE’S BEST-SELLING GRAPHIC NOVEL

“ESSEX COUNTY”

TORONTO, December 14, 2015 - First Generation Films (FGF) announced today it has optioned Jeff Lemire’s critically acclaimed and best-selling graphic novel ESSEX COUNTY to adapt into a scripted television series. Writer Aaron Martin has been signed to pen the pilot script and showrun the series currently in development with the CBC.

Based on award-winning cartoonist Jeff Lemire’s much-loved graphic novel trilogy, published by Top Shelf Productions, this series intricately weaves the genealogy of a family’s origins across generations. The novel is an intimate study of an eccentric community and a tender meditation on family, memory, grief, secrets, and reconciliation.

New York Times bestselling author Jeff Lemire is currently writing Marvel Entertainment’s “The Extraordinary X-Men”, as his original graphic novel series “Descender” is being adapted into a major motion film by Sony Pictures.

Ted Adams, Chris Staros, Jeff Lemire and Aaron Martin will Executive Produce along with Christina Piovesan of First Generation Films.

“ESSEX COUNTY is a vivid and haunting book that has inspired a dedicated and distinguished following. We are thrilled Jeff has agreed to collaborate with FGF to bring his vision to the screen” says First Generation Films President Christina Piovesan.

This will be the first deal under the direction of Julie Di Cresce, VP scripted programming. Regarding the project, Di Cresce adds, “With Aaron Martin's wealth of writing and production experience, we hope to break new ground with this material. We are excited by his vision for adapting the novel and can’t wait to bring it to the screen."

ESSEX COUNTY has won multiple literary awards including the American Library Association’s Alex Award, the Doug Wright Award, and the Joe Shuster Award.

 

Award-winning screenwriter Aaron Martin’s previous credits include CTV’s “Degrassi: The Next Generation”, CBC’s “Being Erica”, CTV’s “Killjoys” and most recently Super Channel’s Slasher”.

Today’s news comes less than three months after FGF announced the launch of the television division.

ABOUT FIRST GENERATION FILMS

With a decade record of success, First Generation Films (FGF) is a leading independent production company, responsible for award-winning, internationally distributed productions.

FGF is focused on growth and its commitment to working with the most innovative creative storytellers from around the world.