Drive Media Rights, the distribution arm of the production-funding agency led by Lilla Hurst and Ben Barrett today reveals a diverse line-up of factual content for 2018’s MIPTV.
The slate features 40 hours factual content that Drive will be bringing to Cannes for the first time.
From a documentary exploring the key ingredients of staging a royal wedding to a journalist’s return to Iraq 15 years after the fall of Baghdad, a series on Mafia killers and an undercover investigative series revealing the latest scams and the criminals behind them, Drive’s 2018 MIPTV slate is the company’s biggest and most diverse to date. Highlights include;
‘Invitation to a Royal Wedding’ (1 x 60’)
Producer: Oxford Films
On 27th November 2017, Clarence House confirmed the much-anticipated news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged to be married. As the couple prepare for their big day, ‘Invitation to a Royal Wedding’ explores the key ingredients of a royal wedding and offers privileged insights into what goes into planning these huge international events. Created by Oxford Films, producers of the royal household-approved ‘Diana; Our Mother. Her Life and Legacy’ the documentary features behind the scenes interviewees with first-hand experience of the preparations leading up to the big day. The film has been commissioned by ITV.
‘Undercover; Fighting the Fraudsters’ (10 x 60’)
Producer: Curve Media
Originally commissioned by Channel 5, ‘Undercover’ delves deep into the rapidly growing world of fraud and scams. From phishing to investment fraud and from romantic scams to forgeries, investigative journalist Paul Connolly explores some of the most innovative and widespread scams in existence today. Each episode sees Paul going undercover to investigate and then confront the criminals behind the cons in a series that keeps viewers on the edge of their seat!
‘Mafia Killers with Colin McLaren’ (6 x 60’)
Producer: Bedlam
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.
‘Return to Iraq’ (2 x 60’)
Producer: October Films
In May 2018, 15 years will have passed since the fall of Baghdad to a coalition of British and US forces. The second Gulf War polarised public opinion and its consequences are still being felt today. Journalist Adnan Sarwar has a profoundly personal connection to this time since he served as a junior commander in the Royal Engineers in Iraq. Now as the latest war to devastate Iraq – this time against Isis draws to a close, Adnan is returning to explore what the future holds for Iraq. Commissioned by BBC Two.
‘The Good Nazi’ (1 x 60’)
Producer: AP Ltd (Canada)
The Good Nazi tells the story of Major Karl Plagge, a high ranking Nazi officer who risked his own life to save hundreds of human beings. In a story reminiscent of Schindler’s List, Plagge employed some 1,240 Jews – men, women and children – and was able to protect them from the near total annihilation of Lithuania’s Jews. The film combines powerful first person testimonies, cinematic drama recreations and a unique present tense narrative to tell this extraordinary story for the very first time.
Commissioned by Vision TV Canada.
‘Fight Game’ (3 x 30)
Producer: Ad Hoc Films
An intimate three-part documentary series 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. Commissioned by BBC One.
“This broader slate of shows reflects our appetite to build on our previous catalogue whilst retaining the high calibre of shows that Drive is proud to represent” said Drive co-founder Lilla Hurst.
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 Raw TV, Oxford Films, October Films, Blink, yap films and Lightbox.
Drive launched its distribution division, Drive Media Rights in September 2016.