What's Happening?
Story Syndicate, a New York-based production company founded by Dan Cogan and Liz Garbus, has announced the launch of a multi-million dollar equity fund aimed at financing nonfiction films and series.
The fund will initially support three projects: 'Master Thief,' 'Saget,' and 'Beverly & Dereck.' These projects are currently in production and cover diverse topics ranging from a notorious theft to the life of comedian Bob Saget, and the work of wildlife conservationists Beverly and Dereck Joubert. The fund, backed by private investors, aims to finance three to four feature documentaries or series annually, focusing on projects with commercial potential. Story Syndicate, established in 2019, has quickly become a significant player in the documentary space, producing content for major platforms like Apple TV, Roku, and Netflix.
Why It's Important?
The launch of this equity fund is significant as it provides financial backing for documentary filmmakers, enabling them to pursue ambitious projects that might otherwise lack funding. This move could lead to an increase in high-quality, culturally relevant documentaries that push creative boundaries. For the U.S. film industry, this fund represents a commitment to storytelling that combines commercial appeal with artistic innovation. It also highlights the growing importance of documentaries in the media landscape, offering filmmakers a platform to explore complex narratives and reach wider audiences. The fund's focus on commercial viability suggests a strategic approach to content production, potentially influencing trends in documentary filmmaking.
