Gripping true crime history series Pirates of Antiquities and the powerful feature documentary Day Trip: Escaping the Taliban to be showcased at the 2026 London TV Screenings.
Keshet International (KI) has acquired a compelling package of factual programming from Paramount’s Ananey Studios for its 2026 slate, expanding its global unscripted portfolio ahead of the London TV Screenings with two standout titles: Pirates of Antiquities (5×40’) and Day Trip: Escaping the Taliban (1×70’).
Kelly Wright, KI’s MD of Distribution, says: “Pirates of Antiquities and Day Trip: Escaping the Taliban together embody the kind of powerful, thought-provoking stories that we’re proud to champion at Keshet International, so we’re thrilled to be partnering with Paramount’s Ananey Studios again to distribute these bold shows internationally. We can’t wait to introduce these shows to buyers at our Unscripted Showcase in London on 24 February.”
Hila Pachter, VP International Relations at Paramount’s Ananey Studios, adds: “We are proud to see these powerful stories reach global audiences through our continued collaboration with Keshet International. Pirates of Antiquities and Day Trip reflect our commitment to producing content that is both culturally resonant and universally compelling. These titles not only showcase the depth and diversity of our factual slate, but also highlight the courage, curiosity, and humanity at the heart of our storytelling.”
The five-part true crime history series Pirates of Antiquities (5×40’) – recently recommissioned for a second season by Israel’s PSB broadcaster KAN – takes audiences deep into the shadowy world of antiquities smuggling, where priceless historical treasures become the spoils of a ruthless race between robbers, dealers, and the archaeologists determined to stop them.
From high-stakes undercover operations and thrilling night chases to secret agents, treasure maps, and vast sums of black-market money changing hands, Pirates of Antiquities brings to light one of archaeology’s most extraordinary sagas — a real-life mystery centered around the Dead Sea Scrolls, often regarded as the field’s ultimate Holy Grail. Spanning centuries and continents, this cinematic series exposes the dark underbelly of the global antiquities trade, where history itself is up for grabs.
Also joining KI’s factual slate is Day Trip: Escaping the Taliban (1×70’), a powerful feature-length documentary centred on four courageous Afghan women forced into hiding after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. As Afghanistan falls under the grip of Sharia Law and international forces withdraw, their personal fight for survival unfolds against a desperate, high-risk operation to evacuate hundreds of others—by any means necessary. Placing their lives in the hands of an improvised international network of activists, diplomats, and volunteers, the women’s journey offers an intimate lens on a chaotic global rescue effort. Through extraordinary access and emotional storytelling, Day Trip: Escaping the Taliban captures both the human cost and the collective courage behind a race against time, illuminating resilience, faith, and the ongoing fight for women’s rights in the face of oppression.
Both titles will be represented by Keshet International for worldwide distribution, with the global content producer and distribution also repping the format of Pirates of Antiquities on behalf of Paramount’s Ananey Studios. Other history shows within KI’s catalogue include Sandstone Global’s Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (3×60’) with Prof Bettany Hughes, which debuted strongly in the UK for 5 (+82% on slot average) and has sold into more than 25 territories to date; Perpetual Entertainment’s Hitler’s Treasure Hunters (6×60’), a Greenlight: Factual and Format title which has sold in more than 60 territories so far; and Hello Halo’s River Hunters (3 series, 18×60’) which uncover archaeological secrets lying beneath the river surface.
Keshet International will be unveiling its 2026 slate at two lunchtime showcase events to be hosted at The Vue West End in London’s Leicester Square on Tuesday 24 February.
