In a strategic move aimed at maximazing opportunities for global co-production, Australian independent production company, SAM Content, celebrates its second anniversary by joining forces with prolific French producer-distributor ZED, on a slate of projects for the international market.

This new alliance between SAM Content, led by acclaimed Director Sally Aitken and Producer Aline Jacques, and ZED, helmed by president 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 The Birth of Shopping. The latter was acknowledge 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 recognize the support within French and Australian funding opportunities, in state and federal tax offsets along with shooting and post-production incentives to maximize 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 any creative collaboration holding hands across the globe making resonant stories for our world.”

ZED, with an unparalleled reputation in producing and distributing global stories, recognizes the unique opportunities working with Australia in an evolving media landscape.

Formed over 25 years ago by president 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 knowhow, that both our companies have. Success is always tied to understanding co-producing’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 story during the nuclear testing era in the Pacific, Terra Futura, a bold reimagining of the Earth without humans in CGI and animation. The companies also have No Sex Required (working title), 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 to 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 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.