Client news · 19 March, 2018

Drive reveals new distribution deals with British indies

Drive, the production-funding and distribution business led by Lilla Hurst and Ben Barrett today announces a series of deals to distribute a range of premium factual programming from a number of leading UK producers.

The deals with Oxford Films, October Films, Ad Hoc Films and Bedlam include the following single films and series;

Oxford Films

‘Putin; The New Tsar’ (1 x 60)

How did a poor boy from a tiny flat in St Petersburg become one of the world’s most powerful

leaders? Admired by Trump and feared by his rivals, on the eve of his almost certain re-election as president of Russia, ‘Putin; The New Tsar’ reveals the story of Vladimir Putin’s extraordinary rise to power – from a lowly KGB colonel to Boris Yeltsin’s right-hand man and ultimately his successor. The film premiered on BBC Two on 9th March.

October Films

‘Inside the EU’ (3 x 60)

A character-led documentary series with unrivalled access to the inner workings of the European Parliament – at one of the most historic times of its existence. Filmed over a year, the series charts the battles and the brawls, the tears, tantrums and tactics of some of Britain’s most maligned and misunderstood public servants in the build-up to Brexit. Originally produced for Channel 4.

Ad Hoc Films

‘Fight Game’ (3 x 30)

An intimate three-part documentary series originally produced for BBC One that follows the undulating fortunes of the McGuigan family and their stable of boxers in their pursuit of glory in the most brutal of businesses. An access-all-areas production, ‘Fight Game’ is a beautifully crafted short series that offers unprecedented access to the world of boxing, providing a fly-on-the-wall insight into the hard work, skill and determination that goes into making a world champion.

Bedlam

‘Mafia Killers with Colin McLaren’ (6 x 60’)

In this series, Mafia-busting detective, Colin McLaren takes a close look at six notorious mobsters who played the deadly game and won…for a while. He traces their rise as they clawed their way out of poverty and climbed the treacherous ladder to wealth and power…and then paid the ultimate price. He explores the characters, motivations, weaknesses of notorious mobsters including John Gotti, Henry Hill, Sammy Gravano and Vincent ‘Chin’ Gigante to see what made them and the Mob tick. The series was originally commissioned by REELZ.

“We’re delighted to be working with such a strong stable of British producers and taking such a diverse a range of high quality factual content to broadcasters worldwide” said Drive co-founder Ben Barrett.

Since its launch 4 years ago, Drive has become a leader in securing sales, funding and providing consultancy for a portfolio of production company clients including Oxford Films, October Films, Blink, yap films and Lightbox.

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