Santa Barbara based Foothill Entertainment, exhibiting steady growth in its 11-year history, attended MIPJunior and is at MIPCOM with new programming and expansion of the company. In conjunction with its financial partner Odyssey Pictures, they were the exclusive sponsors of the MIPJunior Networking Lounge at the Martinez Hotel this year in a move that signals a new initiative to heighten the Company's profile and position it as one of the players among independent distributors.

Following the Foothill-Odyssey alliance, the summer of 2011 was busy with development and production. On the production side, Foothill Entertainment started taking delivery of the new reality series On Duty, centered on firefighters in Santa Barbara. Executive produced by Foothill Entertainment together with Emmy winning producer George Taweel, the series brings the viewer face to face with danger through the use of high definition helmet cameras and state of the art graphics. The series is produced for international as well as format sales.

Cementing the expansion, Foothill Europe Limited based in London is the boutique company established to seek co-production opportunities. Jo Kavanagh-Payne, President of Foothill said, "Being British, it has long been a goal of mine to have a footprint in the UK. The timing was just perfect for us to take this exciting step at this point in our company's development." "We are genuinely excited to be at the market this year, with all the good things that are happening!" said Foothill Chairman, Gregory Payne. "If past is prologue, we are looking forward to making the next 11 years as thrilling as the first!"

Augmenting its catalogue that includes Raz & Benny, the company has added the informative travel series This Is California! to its roster of new programming. Taking viewers to a different state in the US with every episode - from the peaks of the Sierra Nevada range to seaside eateries and wine-makers jubilees, a single highlighted word provides the theme for each week.

Founded in September 2000 by former DIC Entertainment Executive Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, Gregory Payne, and Jo Kavanagh-Payne, former Link Television Entertainment, Inc. Senior Vice President of U.S. Operations, Foothill specializes in the co-development and distribution of children's and family entertainment programming.