Greenlight: Factual & Formats is Keshet International's new commissioning initiative.
Officially launched in September 2023 with the announcement of its first commission, KI's objective is to greenlight up to three English-language projects a year for distribution - either fully funded by KI or co-funded in partnership with at least one broadcast or streaming partner.
“Premium factual content and formats continue to be in high demand from buyers, while many producers are struggling to get series commissioned," says Kelly Wright, KI’s MD of Distribution.
"By responding collaboratively to market needs in this way, we’re finding a different way of getting fresh, new content onto TV screens around the world."
Catch Me If You Can is the first factual series to be greenlit by the global producer and distributor, with KI choosing to fully fund this 10-part docuseries having hosted its first producer pitch in November 2022, which focused on the true crime genre.
KI hosted its second annual producer pitch in November 2023, this time inviting premium factual content and formats pitches, alongside true crime.
Of the 200 ideas originally submitted for consideration, 30 shortlisted projects were pitched by 15 producers to an audience of nearly 50 international buyers, who were either in the room or taking part remotely via a live-stream video link.
At the 2024 London TV Screenings, KI announced that is commissioning the 6x60' docuseries Hitler’s Treasure Hunters from Perpetual Entertainment, off the back of this second producer pitch event.
Anke Stoll, KI’s SVP of Acquisitions and Co-productions, says, “All of us were really impressed with the quality of the projects pitched by the producers at our second pitch last November, and we are talking to many broadcasters about several more shows that we hope to co-commission from the likes of Curve Media, Flicker Productions and Woodcut Media in the coming months.”
KI will launch both Perpetual Entertainment’s Hitler’s Treasure Hunters and Woodcut Media’s Catch Me If You Can to market at MIPCOM 2024.
If you are interested in attending our third producer pitch event, to be held in London the week commencing 2 December 2024 - either as a producer or as a buyer - please reach out to Kate Orlovsky (below).
The Team
Catch Me If You Can is a gripping 10x60' true crime documentary series that delves into the chilling world of murderers who eluded capture, meticulously planning their crimes, and engaging in psychological warfare with investigators.
Each episode takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride as they follow the pursuit of a different elusive killer, exploring the intricate mind games they play to outsmart those tasked with bringing them to justice. In this true crime docuseries, the focus is very much on the chase. With a blend of first-hand accounts, expert analysis, and stylized recreation, this series offers an unprecedented look into the methods and systems used by the police to finally capture these murderers.
Catch Me If You Can will be executive produced by Kate Beal and Nick Mavroidakis at Woodcut Media alongside KI’s Kelly Wright, with Angie Cox as Series Producer. Pre-production begins shortly, with filming slated for October. Keshet International will launch Catch Me If You Can to market at MIPCOM 2024.
To coincide with the 80th anniversary of the death of Hitler and the end of World War II next year, KI has commissioned Australian production company Perpetual Entertainment to produce a six-part documentary series entitled Hitler’s Treasure Hunters.
Hitler’s Treasure Hunters (6x60’) tells the stories of the many treasures and religious relics sought out by the Nazi SS. Heinrich Himmler’s special branch of the SS – known as Das Ahnenerbe – was tasked with finding treasures, artifacts, and religious relics of power, that might win Germany the war and prove Aryan supremacy. With the aim of erasing Europe’s cultural identity and replacing Christianity with their own beliefs - of the occult, mysterious legends and religious folklore – Himmler used his Ahnenerbe troops’ research and plundering of Europe’s masterpieces to justify Nazi notions of superiority, including the racial purity laws that led to The Holocaust.
Hitler’s Treasure Hunters will be executive produced by Brendan Dahill and David Alrich at Perpetual Entertainment alongside KI’s Kelly Wright, with director Roger Power also series producing. The deal was brokered by Perpetual Entertainment’s London-based distribution partner Jimmy Humphrey of Marmalade Sky TV alongside KI’s Anke Stoll.
