ProSiebenSat.1 alum Tom Zwiessler to head new production unit at Autentic

German factual distributor Autentic is launching Autentic Studios, an in-house documentary production and financing arm.

Tom Zwiessler

Tom Zwiessler has been appointed head of the studio. His two decades in the business include a stint as managing director of development and sales at Germany’s Storyhouse Productions.

Previously, Zwiessler was senior VP at local broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1, where he was in charge of the factual division, and exec VP of programmes at German network RTL Zwei.

At Autentic Studios, he will be responsible for the further expansion of one-offs and series production for both linear and non-linear distribution. In addition, he will coordinate with Autentic Distribution to promote new possibilities for co-financing larger projects in cooperation with financing partners. Andreas Martin will remain head of production.

Autentic said the move was driven by the number of in-house productions being produced by TV channels, streaming platforms and VoD services. The new arm will focus on producing documentaries with international appeal to fuel the distribution side of the business’s pipeline. The company says it will also be more involved as a financing partner for future doc projects.

Zwiessler added: “Documentary makers are currently experiencing a golden age. The combination of streamers, VOD services, pay TV and the still strong linear TV has given documentaries a new significance. Young target groups are also increasingly looking for documentary content.

“I am very much looking forward to building the new label Autentic Studios together with a strong team and Autentic’s excellent partner network. We will bring together creative storytelling talent and the power of our international financing and coproduction partners to make what broadcasters and platforms need: gripping and entertaining documentaries that engage their audiences with relevant content.”

MD Patrick Hörl said: “With the creation of our label Autentic Studios we are responding to the increasing demand for factual content on ever more diverse paths to our viewers. Not many people know the facets and possibilities of the factual genre better than Tom.”