Woodcut International handling international sales and presenting to buyers at MIPCOM
FilmRise to distribute as “World’s Most Evil Prisoners” in North America
For immediate release:
London/Hampshire, Wednesday 13th September 2023 – Indie production company Woodcut Media explores some of the world’s most terrifying offenders in a chilling new documentary series World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners (distributed by FilmRise under the title ‘World’s Most Evil Prisoners’ in North America).
The series is produced by Woodcut Media for co-production partners Channel 5 (UK) and FilmRise (U.S.).
World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners (10 x 1 hrs) is a chilling series which takes a fresh, in-depth look at some terrifying offenders whose atrocious crimes earned a whole-life sentence, but despite being securely locked behind bars these inmates go on to torture, kidnap and even kill. Each episode profiles one prisoner, unearthing little known details of the prisoner and their crimes, in and out of prison. Contributors include victims, former cell mates, prison staff and journalists, whilst experts in the fields of forensic psychology and correctional facilities give their insight into why and how the offenders became so dangerous. Whether it’s the man dubbed ‘Britain’s Most Wanted’, or the female serial killer with an unquenchable thirst for killing, one thing is clear, these offenders will never be released.
Series producer is Emma Griffiths, and executive producers are Koulla Anastasi and Matthew Gordon for Woodcut Media.
Damian O’Hara, Acquisitions Manager, Channel 5 and Paramount+ said: “World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners brings true crime stories to our audience in a fresh and compelling way, with gripping insight into life behind prison walls for Britain and America’s most-feared criminals, and showcasing the devastating consequences of their actions in the outside world. Our viewers, well-versed in the true crime genre, will certainly find these cases powerful, emotive and captivating.”
Max Einhorn, SVP of Acquisitions and Co-Productions at FilmRise states, “We are thrilled to add this series to our highly successful true crime “most evil” franchise. It seamlessly complements our existing series featuring “World’s Most Evil Killers,” making it a perfect addition to our library. As co-producers and distribution partners, we are excited to embark on this production and continue to captivate audiences with gripping and thought-provoking content.”
Woodcut International who is handling international sales, will be presenting the new series to buyers for the first time at the upcoming MIPCOM market, whilst FilmRise will be distributing the series in North America.
Koulla Anastasi, Managing Director, Woodcut International said: “Prisoners who are locked away for life with nothing to lose are ticking time bombs as this series reveals, and their disturbing propensity for violence and harm is a never-ending cycle. We are delighted to have Channel 5 and FilmRise involved as co-production partners and look forward to presenting to our buyers next month.”
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About Channel 5:
Channel 5 is a public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been part of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) since its acquisition in September 2014. Channel 5 and its digital brands – 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select, 5ACTION and the on-demand service My5 – offer a diverse range of issue-led documentaries & popular factual celebrating the British countryside and drawing talent to the channel, accessible history, premium drama and critically-acclaimed children’s, news and current affairs programming. Through its agenda-driving commissions, Channel 5 leads on societal issues from inequality to homelessness and mental health, aiming to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the nation. In 2018, Channel 5 won its first BAFTA for Cruising with Jane McDonald. The following year, Raped: My Story won best Single Documentary at RTS. In 2020, it won crowned Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Awards and by the RTS. In addition that year, it secured its first ever Grierson award win in the ‘Best Single Documentary – Domestic’ category with Suicidal: In Our Own Words. In 2021, it won best factual entertainment at the Broadcast Awards for Springtime on the Farm.
About FilmRise:
FilmRise is a New York City-based film and television studio and operator of the FilmRise Streaming Network, the world’s largest independently owned portfolio of ad-supported streaming apps and FAST channels. FilmRise distributes content worldwide, invests in original content, and works with digital creators to help them monetize their libraries in the greater streaming space. Founded in 2012 by veteran producers and financiers Danny Fisher, Jack Fisher and Alan Klingenstein, FilmRise is a recognized market leader and innovator at the forefront of analytics-led curation and distribution. The company offers over 50,000 licensed and originally produced scripted and unscripted feature films and television episodes across all genres. In 2020, the company began producing FilmRise Original productions which include true crime series BLOODLINE DETECTIVES HOSTED BY NANCY GRACE; MEET, MARRY, MURDER HOSTED BY MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG; THE MEDIATOR WITH ICE-T; and THE INTERROGATION ROOM HOSTED BY VIVICA A. FOX. In addition, FilmRise produced the PBS documentary series ICON: MUSIC THROUGH THE LENS and recently announced the new cooking competition series NOT LIKE MAMA. For more information, go to: filmrise.com
About Woodcut Media:
Founded by award-winning producer Kate Beal in 2014, UK indie prodco Woodcut Media is a female-led operation with a diverse team at its core, whose main ethos is to provide an honest and trusted voice – creating programming that tells incredible human stories with creativity, authenticity, and care. As well as being one of the leading true crime doc producers in the UK, Woodcut also specialises in a broad range of standout unscripted content covering factual entertainment, specialist factual, and premium/talent led programming. Titles include Confessions of a Psycho Killer, The Murder of Meredith, Murder in the Red Light (for Amazon Prime Video), long-running series World’s Most Evil Killers/Britain’s Most Evil Killers (8 seasons), Fiennes: Return to the Nile with Joseph and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Cut from a Different Cloth, Mandela, My Dad and Me, both featuring Idris Elba, Hitler: A Life in Pictures, and Paranormal Captured to name just a few. In 2020, Woodcut launched distribution company Woodcut International, as well as Bristol-based production operation Woodcut West which specialises in natural history and high-end specialist factual. www.woodcutmedia.com
About Woodcut International:
Established in September 2020, UK based Woodcut International is the distribution division of Woodcut Media, a leading producer of a broad range of factual programming that includes True Crime, specialist factual, premium factual and factual entertainment. Woodcut International focuses on the global sales of select Woodcut Media series and specials that include new productions and library titles such as A Royal Guide To… (with 2 seasons), (K)nox: The Rob Knox Story, Forgotten War Stories, The Killer Within, the Idris Elba led docs (Cut from a Different Cloth, Mandela, My Dad and Me), and Fukushima: Nature in the Danger Zone, to name a few. www.woodcutinternational.com