Kino Lorber has acquired North American rights to Every Little Thing, Sally Aitken’s documentary about a hummingbird rehabilitator that premiered in Sundance and has gone on to play multiple festivals including Cph:dox.
The distributor plans a January 2025 theatrical release, followed by digital, educational, and home video roll-out.
Every Little Thing profiles Terry Masear, who tends to injured hummingbirds in Los Angeles and nurses her winged charges – including Cactus, Jimmy, Wasabi, Raisin, and Mikhail – back to health, experiencing person growth in the process.
Bettina Dalton produced for WildBear Entertainment alongside Anna Godas, and Oli Harbottle. Executive producers are David Guy Elisco,...
The distributor plans a January 2025 theatrical release, followed by digital, educational, and home video roll-out.
Every Little Thing profiles Terry Masear, who tends to injured hummingbirds in Los Angeles and nurses her winged charges – including Cactus, Jimmy, Wasabi, Raisin, and Mikhail – back to health, experiencing person growth in the process.
Bettina Dalton produced for WildBear Entertainment alongside Anna Godas, and Oli Harbottle. Executive producers are David Guy Elisco,...
- 10/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Distribution
Anthony Lapaglia‘s upcoming factual series “The Black Hand” is set to be distributed internationally by eOne.
The three-part series will explore Australia’s Italian community, looking at the difficulties they face, their politics, the threat of war and the mafia. According to the series synopsis, The Black Hand is the name for a gang of Italian criminals in Australia.
Alan Erson, Lapaglia, Michael Tear exec produce. Adam Grossetti and Kate Pappas produce. “The Black Hand” is directed by Kriv Stenders and written by Grossetti, Stenders and Anya Beyersdorf.
The series was produced by Wildbear Entertainment for ABC in Australia. The deal with eOne excludes Australia and Scandinavia.
“The Black Hand is truly the definition of premium factual,” said Kate Cundall, eOne’s VP for acquisitions. “We’re very excited about the opportunity to take to market a hugely popular genre like true crime with some amazing auspicious.”
***
Meanwhile,...
Anthony Lapaglia‘s upcoming factual series “The Black Hand” is set to be distributed internationally by eOne.
The three-part series will explore Australia’s Italian community, looking at the difficulties they face, their politics, the threat of war and the mafia. According to the series synopsis, The Black Hand is the name for a gang of Italian criminals in Australia.
Alan Erson, Lapaglia, Michael Tear exec produce. Adam Grossetti and Kate Pappas produce. “The Black Hand” is directed by Kriv Stenders and written by Grossetti, Stenders and Anya Beyersdorf.
The series was produced by Wildbear Entertainment for ABC in Australia. The deal with eOne excludes Australia and Scandinavia.
“The Black Hand is truly the definition of premium factual,” said Kate Cundall, eOne’s VP for acquisitions. “We’re very excited about the opportunity to take to market a hugely popular genre like true crime with some amazing auspicious.”
***
Meanwhile,...
- 5/31/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Disney+ has revealed the official trailer for Playing With Sharks. This is the latest from National Geographic Documentary Films and takes a deep-dive look at the life of Valerie Taylor. She is a true pioneer in both underwater filmmaking and shark research. Taylor is revered as a living legend and icon in the underwater world whose life's work has become the basis for much of what we know about sharks today. The movie, which is set to debut next month on the streaming service, is part of https://tvweb.com/sharkfest-national-geographic-2021-schedule/|National Geographic's SharkFest lineup.
The trailer opens with some remarkable archival footage of Valerie Taylor swimming with sharks, which she narrates. It takes us through her life, dating back to the 50s. While it certainly focuses on her career trajectory, the footage also makes a point to demonstrate how mankind's relationship to nature, specifically the sea and the life contained within,...
The trailer opens with some remarkable archival footage of Valerie Taylor swimming with sharks, which she narrates. It takes us through her life, dating back to the 50s. While it certainly focuses on her career trajectory, the footage also makes a point to demonstrate how mankind's relationship to nature, specifically the sea and the life contained within,...
- 6/30/2021
- by Ryan Scott
- MovieWeb
“There is a creature alive today which has survived millions of years of evolution…without change, without passion, without logic. It lives to kill. A mindless eating machine, it will attack and devour anything. Try to imagine meeting the Devil…with Jaws.” – Jaws trailer
Ron and Valerie Taylor are the only names that come to mind when you think of the real shark footage in Steven Spielberg’s Summer Blockbuster Jaws. The film was released on an unsuspecting public June 1975 and the horrifying images of the film instilled fear into beachgoers that summer along with the phrase “See it before you go swimming.” The Taylors were synonymous with real shark footage and worked on other ocean themed movies such as Orca, Jaws 2, and The Blue Lagoon.
Valerie’s late husband Ron’s cinematography and exquisite compositions have certainly stood the test of time. From the birth of scuba with...
Ron and Valerie Taylor are the only names that come to mind when you think of the real shark footage in Steven Spielberg’s Summer Blockbuster Jaws. The film was released on an unsuspecting public June 1975 and the horrifying images of the film instilled fear into beachgoers that summer along with the phrase “See it before you go swimming.” The Taylors were synonymous with real shark footage and worked on other ocean themed movies such as Orca, Jaws 2, and The Blue Lagoon.
Valerie’s late husband Ron’s cinematography and exquisite compositions have certainly stood the test of time. From the birth of scuba with...
- 6/29/2021
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Factual content producer WildBear Entertainment has expanded outside of Australia for the first time, establishing the WildBear Aotearoa office in New Zealand.
Executive producer, director, and writer Craig Meade has been appointed general manager of the Dunedin-based branch and will report to WildBear Entertainment managing director Alan Erson.
Meade joins from Nhnz where, as head of production, he was responsible for its factual and documentary output, as well as relationships with the wider international television industry.
His 15 years with the company included work on a diverse range of programming, including Gem Hunt for Travel Channel, I Survived 9/11 for A&e, Megastructures for National Geographic, and A Year in the Wild: Scotland for Channel 5.
Prior to this, he helped spearhead the production of reality TV in Australia as a freelance director, writer, and producer, developing House from Hell (which inspired Big Brother) before working as a director and showrunner on several major location formats,...
Executive producer, director, and writer Craig Meade has been appointed general manager of the Dunedin-based branch and will report to WildBear Entertainment managing director Alan Erson.
Meade joins from Nhnz where, as head of production, he was responsible for its factual and documentary output, as well as relationships with the wider international television industry.
His 15 years with the company included work on a diverse range of programming, including Gem Hunt for Travel Channel, I Survived 9/11 for A&e, Megastructures for National Geographic, and A Year in the Wild: Scotland for Channel 5.
Prior to this, he helped spearhead the production of reality TV in Australia as a freelance director, writer, and producer, developing House from Hell (which inspired Big Brother) before working as a director and showrunner on several major location formats,...
- 3/29/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
National Geographic Documentary Films has acquired the worldwide rights to Sally Aitken’s documentary about Australian diver and filmmaker Valerie Taylor following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Chosen as one of only 10 films from around the world for the World Cinema Documentary Competition section, Playing with Sharks charts Taylor’s transformation from a champion slayer to a passionate marine conservationist through remastered film footage taken across 50 years.
The film was created and produced by Bettina Dalton, WildBear Entertainment, and written and directed by Aitken. The executive producers include Alan Erson for WildBear; Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle for TDog; and Paul Wiegard for Madman Entertainment.
Dalton tells If National Geographic Documentary Films is the “perfect home” for Playing with Sharks.
“National Geographic not only has a lot of gravitas, but also a lot of provenance and reach,” she says.
“They have the right ethos for this film, in...
Chosen as one of only 10 films from around the world for the World Cinema Documentary Competition section, Playing with Sharks charts Taylor’s transformation from a champion slayer to a passionate marine conservationist through remastered film footage taken across 50 years.
The film was created and produced by Bettina Dalton, WildBear Entertainment, and written and directed by Aitken. The executive producers include Alan Erson for WildBear; Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle for TDog; and Paul Wiegard for Madman Entertainment.
Dalton tells If National Geographic Documentary Films is the “perfect home” for Playing with Sharks.
“National Geographic not only has a lot of gravitas, but also a lot of provenance and reach,” she says.
“They have the right ethos for this film, in...
- 2/3/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
National Geographic Documentary Films said Tuesday that it has acquired Playing with Sharks, the feature documentary about Australian icon, conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor that had its world premiere last week at the Sundance Film Festival. The pic is written and directed by Sally Aitken and is produced by WildBear Entertainment and Dogwoof. No release date plans or deal details were announced.
Playing with Sharks is created and produced by Bettina Dalton and WildBear Alan Erson for WildBear, Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle for TDog and Paul Wiegard for Madman Entertainment are executive producers.
Nat Geo Doc Films previously acquired the Science Fair at Sundance 2018, and is behind the Oscar-winning doc Free Solo and this year’s Rebuilding Paradise from Ron Howard.
Playing with Sharks is created and produced by Bettina Dalton and WildBear Alan Erson for WildBear, Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle for TDog and Paul Wiegard for Madman Entertainment are executive producers.
Nat Geo Doc Films previously acquired the Science Fair at Sundance 2018, and is behind the Oscar-winning doc Free Solo and this year’s Rebuilding Paradise from Ron Howard.
- 2/2/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
National Geographic Documentary Films negotiated deal with Dogwoof.
National Geographic Documentary Films has acquired worldwide rights to Sundance documentary Playing With Sharks.
Sally Aitken directed the WildBear Entertainment film, which chronicles the life of Australian conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor.
Playing With Sharks follows Taylor from her days as a champion spear fisher in the 1950s to her work as passionate shark protector who also shot all the underwater scenes in Jaws.
Producer Bettina Dalton pitched the project during Sundance 2019 to Dogwoof, which became one of the film’s backers through its production fund TDog Productions.
Playing With Sharks is a WildBear Entertainment production,...
National Geographic Documentary Films has acquired worldwide rights to Sundance documentary Playing With Sharks.
Sally Aitken directed the WildBear Entertainment film, which chronicles the life of Australian conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor.
Playing With Sharks follows Taylor from her days as a champion spear fisher in the 1950s to her work as passionate shark protector who also shot all the underwater scenes in Jaws.
Producer Bettina Dalton pitched the project during Sundance 2019 to Dogwoof, which became one of the film’s backers through its production fund TDog Productions.
Playing With Sharks is a WildBear Entertainment production,...
- 2/2/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
National Geographic Documentary Films has acquired the worldwide rights to Sally Aitken’s documentary “Playing with Sharks,” an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.
The documentary follows the life of Australian icon, conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor, who is the reason why we know so much about sharks — she was the one who obtained first-ever footage of a great white under water.
Aitken wrote and directed the documentary, while Bettina Dalton of WildBear Entertainment produced. Executive producers are Alan Erson for WildBear, Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle for TDog and Paul Wiegard for Madman Entertainment.
“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Nat Geo Doc Films. It is the perfect home for ‘Playing with Sharks’ and we know Nat Geo will embrace and promote its important themes of shark conservation and trailblazing women,” Dalton of WildBear Entertainment said.
Nat Geo’s Carolyn Bernstein added: “I can’t...
The documentary follows the life of Australian icon, conservationist and filmmaker Valerie Taylor, who is the reason why we know so much about sharks — she was the one who obtained first-ever footage of a great white under water.
Aitken wrote and directed the documentary, while Bettina Dalton of WildBear Entertainment produced. Executive producers are Alan Erson for WildBear, Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle for TDog and Paul Wiegard for Madman Entertainment.
“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Nat Geo Doc Films. It is the perfect home for ‘Playing with Sharks’ and we know Nat Geo will embrace and promote its important themes of shark conservation and trailblazing women,” Dalton of WildBear Entertainment said.
Nat Geo’s Carolyn Bernstein added: “I can’t...
- 2/2/2021
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson (Photo: Fran Moore).
Screen Australia has announced $1.9 million in production funding for 10 documentaries through the Producer program and one through the Commissioned program.
The slate includes a feature documentary celebrating fashion designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson; a three-part exploration of contemporary Indigenous art from Wildbear/Frame Up Films; and a new series from Northern Pictures for Sbs about domestic violence in Australia.
Head of documentary Bernadine Lim said: “We are thrilled to support these documentaries from around the country, with stories that celebrate iconic Australians including retailer Franco Cozzo, designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson, and tennis champion Jelena Dokic.”
“This slate is set to shine a light on crucial and timely issues of family violence and the environment, and explore art and science through innovative storytelling technology.”
Producer Program projects:
Art of Australia and the Pacific (working title): A three-part series from...
Screen Australia has announced $1.9 million in production funding for 10 documentaries through the Producer program and one through the Commissioned program.
The slate includes a feature documentary celebrating fashion designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson; a three-part exploration of contemporary Indigenous art from Wildbear/Frame Up Films; and a new series from Northern Pictures for Sbs about domestic violence in Australia.
Head of documentary Bernadine Lim said: “We are thrilled to support these documentaries from around the country, with stories that celebrate iconic Australians including retailer Franco Cozzo, designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson, and tennis champion Jelena Dokic.”
“This slate is set to shine a light on crucial and timely issues of family violence and the environment, and explore art and science through innovative storytelling technology.”
Producer Program projects:
Art of Australia and the Pacific (working title): A three-part series from...
- 12/10/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Warwick Thornton.
Director Warwick Thornton will turn his back on the limelight to experience life on an isolated beach in the remote Dampier Peninsula for Nitv series The Beach, one of seven documentary projects recently backed by Screen Australia.
The federal agency today announced that $965,000 of production was recently allocated through its Producer program and $720,000 through the Commissioned program. The agency also supported an additional 11 projects in its recent development round, including two natural history projects, a Vr production and two original format series.
“The Beach is one of the most important projects of my life. It’s about my life. It is my life,” said Thornton.
Other projects to receive production funding include a feature film about shark fanatic and filmmaker Valerie Taylor in The Real Jaws: The Valerie Taylor Story and an online animated series about the untold history of soccer, A Game of Three Halves.
‘The Real...
Director Warwick Thornton will turn his back on the limelight to experience life on an isolated beach in the remote Dampier Peninsula for Nitv series The Beach, one of seven documentary projects recently backed by Screen Australia.
The federal agency today announced that $965,000 of production was recently allocated through its Producer program and $720,000 through the Commissioned program. The agency also supported an additional 11 projects in its recent development round, including two natural history projects, a Vr production and two original format series.
“The Beach is one of the most important projects of my life. It’s about my life. It is my life,” said Thornton.
Other projects to receive production funding include a feature film about shark fanatic and filmmaker Valerie Taylor in The Real Jaws: The Valerie Taylor Story and an online animated series about the untold history of soccer, A Game of Three Halves.
‘The Real...
- 4/8/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra’.
The ABC has added feature documentaries The Australian Dream, Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra and natural history and science series Australia Remastered to its slate.
An official Australian-uk co-production between Good Thing Productions and Passion Pictures, The Australian Dream, written by Stan Grant and directed by Dan Gordon, chronicles the national conversation that took place after former Sydney Swans captain Adam Goodes was racially vilified during an Afl match.
Producer Nick Batzias said: “Good Thing are thrilled to be working with Passion Pictures UK producing The Australian Dream. In collaborating with Adam Goodes, director Dan Gordon, writer Stan Grant and a host of contributors, we have the best opportunity to not only tell Adam’s story accurately, but to generate important conversations about Australia’s past, present and future in the context of an international feature documentary.”
The film has received principal production investment from...
The ABC has added feature documentaries The Australian Dream, Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra and natural history and science series Australia Remastered to its slate.
An official Australian-uk co-production between Good Thing Productions and Passion Pictures, The Australian Dream, written by Stan Grant and directed by Dan Gordon, chronicles the national conversation that took place after former Sydney Swans captain Adam Goodes was racially vilified during an Afl match.
Producer Nick Batzias said: “Good Thing are thrilled to be working with Passion Pictures UK producing The Australian Dream. In collaborating with Adam Goodes, director Dan Gordon, writer Stan Grant and a host of contributors, we have the best opportunity to not only tell Adam’s story accurately, but to generate important conversations about Australia’s past, present and future in the context of an international feature documentary.”
The film has received principal production investment from...
- 3/4/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Broadcaster Arte and Us Svod platform CuriosityStream have commissioned The Living Universe, a co-production between Essential Media and Entertainment and French producer and distributor Zed.
A story "set in the past, present and future", The Living Universe chronicles the search for new life forms in the distant reaches of the galaxy.
The Us$5m project consists of a ninety minute feature documentary and 4 x 60 minute TV series.
It is directed and presented by leading scientist and filmmaker Dr. Richard Smith (Australia: The Time Traveler.s Guide, A Traveler.s Guide to the Planets)..
A French version will also be co-directed by Vincent Amouroux (Species of Mass Destruction, Darwin 2.0).
The project will be shot in 4K around the world, and make use of extensive CGI.
The agreement sees Zed acquiring the international distribution rights whilst teaming up in the co-production with Arte who has acquired the TV broadcast rights for France and Germany.
A story "set in the past, present and future", The Living Universe chronicles the search for new life forms in the distant reaches of the galaxy.
The Us$5m project consists of a ninety minute feature documentary and 4 x 60 minute TV series.
It is directed and presented by leading scientist and filmmaker Dr. Richard Smith (Australia: The Time Traveler.s Guide, A Traveler.s Guide to the Planets)..
A French version will also be co-directed by Vincent Amouroux (Species of Mass Destruction, Darwin 2.0).
The project will be shot in 4K around the world, and make use of extensive CGI.
The agreement sees Zed acquiring the international distribution rights whilst teaming up in the co-production with Arte who has acquired the TV broadcast rights for France and Germany.
- 4/7/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
The life of Australian artist Brett Whiteley will be brought to the screen with assistance from Screen Australia.s new Documentary Producer program.
Titled Whiteley, the film is a one-off documentary from Northern Pictures , aiming to provide audiences with a unique insight into the incredible life and legacy of the iconic Australian artist. The project will be produced by Sue Clothier and directed by James Bogle, who also co-wrote the script with Victor Gentile.
It is one of eight projects that have been selected to receive funding support in the first round of the program, with Screen Australia estimating the combined production expenditure will generate close to $9.3million.
Land Artists (working title) will delve into one of Australia.s leading (and controversial) architecture firms, Denton Corker Marshall, on their mission to create the Australian Pavilion for the Venice Biennale. Renegade Films will make the documentary with producers Lucy Maclaren, Joe Connor and Ken Connor.
Titled Whiteley, the film is a one-off documentary from Northern Pictures , aiming to provide audiences with a unique insight into the incredible life and legacy of the iconic Australian artist. The project will be produced by Sue Clothier and directed by James Bogle, who also co-wrote the script with Victor Gentile.
It is one of eight projects that have been selected to receive funding support in the first round of the program, with Screen Australia estimating the combined production expenditure will generate close to $9.3million.
Land Artists (working title) will delve into one of Australia.s leading (and controversial) architecture firms, Denton Corker Marshall, on their mission to create the Australian Pavilion for the Venice Biennale. Renegade Films will make the documentary with producers Lucy Maclaren, Joe Connor and Ken Connor.
- 5/12/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
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