Federation, Boreales form doc JV

France Télévisions has ordered six-parter Mediterranean

French production companies Federation Entertainment and Boreales are teaming up to launch a premium documentary prodco dedicated to nature and environmental series.

Documentary maker Fred Fougea, who founded Boreales in 1987 and is known for his work on Le Plus Beau Pays du Monde, Homo Sapiens and Man’s Best Friend, will lead the new venture.

Myriam Weil, head of the documentary division as Pascal Breton’s Federation Entertainment since January 2019, will work alongside Fougea.

The new company is focused on raising public awareness by highlighting the wonders and outstanding beauty of nature, current global threats and strengthening the voice of those who are fighting to protect it.

Boreales Federation has already received a commission from public broadcaster France Télévisions for Mediterranean, a six-part international coproduction that explores the sea’s ecosystem, threats it faces and the fight for its preservation.

It will be filmed over two years in 12 countries and will draw on the expertise of 50 scientists from around the world.

BBC Studios is on board as a coproduction partner with Terra Mater (Germany), Anemon (Greece) and Rai/Fabula (Italy). The series has been pre-sold to NDR (ARD) in Germany, RTS in Switzerland and Servus TV in Austria.

The series began filming in May 2020 and is scheduled for delivery in spring 2022. It is co-distributed by BBC Studios and Federation.

Fougea said: “Nature is at the heart of all contemporary issues. Well-being, health, threats to our biodiversity and climate, the future of the humanity… Our new label aims to reawaken man’s interest in and relationship with nature in order to fully appreciate, understand and interact harmoniously with the vibrant world we live in.”

Breton added: “Fred Fougea, a lover of nature and wildlife, is an outstanding director instantly recognised worldwide. By joining forces, we will draw on some of the greatest international talent in order to create stand-out premium documentaries for all channels and platforms, to showcase the spectacular beauty of our amazing planet as well as the dangers it is currently facing.”