UK’s StoryFirst expands Escapade, Niche Media deals for international projects

Eric Clapton was executive producer on Portobello Road

Australia’s Escapade Media has developed a new working relationship with UK-based StoryFirst and Niche Media to develop premium scripted projects to the international market.

The trio have already collaborated on two projects, Portobello Road which is executive produced by Eric Clapton and inspired by the life experiences of 1970s rock manager Rod Gunner, who managed Clapton and the Bee Gees; and Debriefing the President, based on the novel by John Nixon, about the capture, interrogation and murder of Sadam Hussain.

Under the collaborative deal, Niche Media will look after sales and distribution in the UK, CIS and Africa, with Escapade taking care of the rest of the world, including the US.

Escapade MD Natalie Lawley said: “Escapade is thrilled to be expanding our working relationship with StoryFirst and Niche Media. Our expert team have the experience and expertise to handle these prestigious titles and take them into production. After launching Debriefing the President and Portobello Road at Mipcom, we are extremely happy with the client conversations to date.”

StoryFirst specialise in television drama and has worked with broadcasters including BBC, Sky and Viaplay. Recent projects include partnering with Starlings Televisions for Sherlock & Daughter now in production, The Child in Time (with Benedict Cumberbatch) and Max Anger: With One Eye Open.

StoryFirst Founder Peter Gerwe added: “StoryFirst has a pipeline of premium projects from A-list talent that are in development. We are focused on building our global network to ensure our projects find the right partners. Escapade and Niche Media’s specialist global network provide us with the targeted and detailed approach we require and we are looking forward to working with them both.”