Paris-based distributor SND, a subsidiary of French media group M6, has acquired world sales on “Alice: Pioneer of Cinema,” a six-part historical drama starring Oscar-nominated actress Bérénice Bejo as Alice Guy-Blaché, the world’s first female filmmaker. The series, ordered by HBO Max and France Télévisions, made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in July 2026 and is set to be showcased ahead of the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre, the world’s largest market dedicated to French audiovisual content, taking place September 7–10.
Bejo, known for her Academy Award-nominated role in “The Artist,” takes the lead in a drama that chronicles the extraordinary life and career of Guy-Blaché, a pioneering figure largely absent from cinema history. The series, directed by Virginie Verrier and Guillaume Lonergan from a script by Tim Loane, Claire Lemaréchal, and other writers, traces Guy-Blaché’s journey from her beginnings in the Belle Époque era to her later years in New York.
The Trailblazer Behind the Camera
Alice Guy-Blaché entered the film business in 1896 as a secretary at Gaumont, the French film studio, and quickly became its first film director. According to the Museum of Modern Art, she made her first film, “La Fée aux Choux” (The Cabbage Fairy), in 1896, and went on to direct or produce over 700 films during a career spanning from 1896 to 1920. From 1896 to 1906, she was probably the only female filmmaker in the world, according to multiple film historians and archival sources.
Beyond her prolific output, Guy-Blaché was a technical innovator, pioneering the use of in-camera special effects including double exposure, masking techniques, and running film backward. In 1910, she established Solax Studios, becoming the first woman to own and operate a film production company, making her not only a filmmaker but also an entrepreneur and executive in an industry dominated by men.
Despite her groundbreaking achievements, Guy-Blaché’s story has remained largely obscured from popular memory and film history textbooks. The New York Times noted in 2019 that she was “overlooked” for decades, with her contributions to cinema largely forgotten until recent efforts to reclaim and celebrate her legacy. This new series represents a significant step in bringing her story to contemporary audiences on a global scale.
SND’s acquisition of world sales rights positions the series for international distribution across multiple territories, leveraging the prestige of its TIFF premiere and the drawing power of Bejo’s star appeal to reach broadcasters and streaming platforms worldwide. The Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre will provide a key platform for SND to pitch the series to international buyers during one of the industry’s most important television markets.
Sources
- Variety — SND’s acquisition of world sales on “Alice: Pioneer of Cinema” and series details
- Hollywood Reporter — TIFF 2026 lineup confirmation and “Alice” world premiere announcement
- Deadline — HBO Max and France Télévisions production announcement and cast details
- Museum of Modern Art — Alice Guy-Blaché’s career overview and filmography statistics
- Wikipedia — Alice Guy-Blaché biographical information and career timeline
- Unifrance — 2026 Rendez-Vous in Le Havre dates and market details
- New York Times — Historical context on Alice Guy-Blaché’s overlooked legacy
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