This new alliance between SAM Content, led by acclaimed Director Sally Aitken and Producer Aline Jacques, and ZED, helmed by CEO Manuel Catteau marks a milestone in the companies’ global relationship.
Together with celebrated senior ZED producer, Christine le Goff, the team has successfully collaborated in the past on various projects including Living Universe and Au Bonheur des Dames. The latter was acknowledged last year by the Grand Jury prize from the Academy of Commercial Sciences for its enduring legacy. Now, SAM and ZED’s alliance builds on these individual collaborations with an output deal. Both companies recognise the support within French and Australian funding opportunities, in state and federal tax offsets along with shooting and postproduction incentives to maximise budgets.
Despite being in business for just two years, SAM Content has quickly established itself with a reputation for entertaining premium factual content. Co-founder, Sally Aitken expressed excitement about the new collaboration, stating, “Our journey with SAM Content so far has been a testament to the power of positive thinking. Partnering with ZED propels us into a new realm of global co-production possibilities. It’s a powerful relationship built on existing trust and understanding. And of course, the inherent thrill of holding hands across the globe making resonant stories for our world.”
ZED, with an unparalleled reputation in producing and distributing global stories, recognises the unique opportunities working with Australia in an evolving media landscape.
Formed over 25 years ago by CEO Manuel Catteau, ZED has been named as a RealScreen Global 100 production company for the past five years and is a key player in the international market. Catteau commented. “In an industry where collaboration is key, our relationship with SAM Content cements our long-standing respect for Australian producers, particularly Aline Jacques with whom we have enjoyed several successful productions over the last decade. Co-production requires very specific skills and know-how, that both our companies have. Success is always tied to understanding coproducing’s complex mechanisms which few know how to handle, together we have this in store.”
Projects on the slate include Atomic Paradise, the epic untold pop cultural story during the nuclear testing era in the Pacific, and Terra Futura, a bold reimagining of the earth without humans in stunning CGI and animation. The companies also have No Sex Required (w/t) a series about the booming global Fertility Industry and profitable business of making babies.
SAM Co-founder Aline Jacques sees this collaboration as a game-changer for Australian storytelling and talent to be seen in Europe and around the world. She says, “Our alliance with ZED is an exciting chapter for both companies. It’s not just about creating content; it’s about reimagining the possibilities of global co-production and partnerships in an era that demands dynamic thinking.”
Christine le Goff remarked on the storytelling strengths inherent in this venture: “At ZED, we pride ourselves on our openness to great talent and we admire the originality and style of Australian creatives. Together with our team in Paris and Sally and Aline in Sydney I know we will have fresh thinking, with revealing and engaging projects, all of which also acts as accelerators for new talent pathways for both French and Australian crew.”
Both companies will be at WCSFP 2023 and RealScreen Summit 2024.
As SAM Content and ZED prepare their slate of factual projects their focus is on seeking out new ideas, new pathways, new audiences and using imaginative and collaborative thinking to shape the future of premium factual global content creation.
Key highlights of the strategic alliance include:
- Strategic Global Co-Production: SAM Content and ZED are poised to lead the way in global co-production endeavours, leveraging SAM’s ambitious ideas and ZED’s network expertise.
- Innovative Storytelling Ventures: The collaboration aims to pioneer new narratives and storytelling formats, exploring uncharted creative territories that resonate with global audiences.
- Thinking Alike, Thinking Differently: SAM Content and ZED bring a collective commitment to strategic thinking, ensuring that each co-production venture is not only creatively rich but also well positioned for success in the global market.
- Maximizing Creative Opportunities: The alliance aims to capitalize on the wealth of creative opportunities presented by the global entertainment landscape, fostering an environment which can ladder up other Australian creative talent. SAM and ZED are committed to inclusive practice and a collaborative spirit that transcends borders and traditional barriers to market.
