EXCLUSIVE: Cameron Crowe and Shepard Fairey, the artist behind the iconic Barack Obama ‘OBEY’ posters, will be guests on First Timers, a docuseries from multimedia artist, writer, director and producer Yi Zhou. Billed as an exploration of what it means to take a first step in high pressure creative and professional worlds, the series can be bought or rented via Apple. Alongside Oscar winner Crowe and artist Fairey, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Simon Ourian rounds out the guest list.“ This series is really about the social and emotional labor of showing up for the first time,” said Zhou. “These participants are stepping into industries that weren’t built with them in mind, and in doing so, they’re reshaping what’s possible. The soundtrack Cameron and I created is entirely original, it’s the emotional backbone of First Timers.” The doc series is produced by Into the Sun Entertainment, with the original soundtrack, written, composed and produced by the China-born, Italy-raised Zhou and Jerry Maguire director Crowe under the Into the Sun Sounds collective label.
Disney+ Strikes ZDF Studios Content Deal
Disney+ has struck a multi-year deal to carry over 3,000 episodes and films from Germany’s ZDF Studios. This the latest pact between a streamer and public broadcaster we’ve seen this year, as digital players and their linear rivals look to closer cooperate in the tricky economic climate. From tomorrow (August 27), a curated ‘ZDF Films and Series’ collection will launch on Disney+ in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, including the likes of crime drama Soko, A Crime in Munich and Wilsberg. Some new seasons of ZDF series will be added to the selection only months after their launches on ZDF’s streaming services, and by the end of this year, Disney+ will have hit the 3,000+ mark. “This deal marks an exciting new milestone built on our collaboration with leading European broadcasters,” said Karl Holmes, General Manager, Disney+ EMEA. In related news, ZDF Studios has picked up international distribution rights to three-part doc series Maps of Power, which was produced for ZDFinfo by Story House Productions. It looks at how geography impacts political decisions, focusing specifically on the U.S., China and Russia.
Random Media Acquires Psychological Thriller ‘The Womb’
The Womb, the latest feature from Frank A. Cappello (Constantine), has been acquired by Random Media. Written and directed by Cappello, The Womb follows Sami, a deaf woman, who survives alone in a dystopian suburban wasteland stalked by a terrifying supernatural presence. Her only warning of its approach is a faint hum detected by her cochlear implant. Clinging to the hope that her missing family will return, she refuses to leave her fortified home – even as the military prepares to destroy the entire area. The acquisition deal was negotiated for Random Media by Doctorow, former President of Worldwide Home Entertainment at Paramount, Fox, MGM, and the most recent incarnation of Miramax. Sebastian Twardosz from Savant Artists represents and negotiated on behalf of the filmmakers.
Netflix Poaches Amanda Duthie From Stan
Stan’s Amanda Duthie will be Netflix’s new Australia and New Zealand content chief. The Stan Head of Originals will be the streamer’s Content Director for ANZ, replacing Que Minh Luu, who exited in April. Matchbox Pictures’ Scripted Development Manager, Katherine Slattery, has also joined as Content Manager. At Stan, she has been responsible for the greenlights of shows such as Wolf Like Me, The Tourist, Bad Behaviour and Black Snow. She has previously worked as Head of Arts & Entertainment at ABC TV, Head of Drama at SBS, Creative Director and CEO of the Adelaide Film Festival and its Investment Fund, and Head of Production, Development and Studios at the South Australian Film Corporation. Minyoung Kim, Netflix Vice President, Content (APAC ex-India) said” “Amanda’s exceptional track record as a creative and her highly respected leadership within the local screen industry impressed me deeply. I was particularly struck by her knowledge, passion and expertise, and I look forward to working closely with her to continue the success of the ANZ slate at Netflix.” No word on her replacement at Stan yet.
World Baseball Classic A Home Run For Netflix Japan
Netflix will add the 2026 World Baseball Classic to its line-up in Japan. The streamer has struck an exclusive media rights deal with World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI), an org that’s owned by Major League Baseball and operates the tournament along with the Major Leaguer Baseball Players Association. This is the latest live sports play for Netflix, which to date has streamed WWE wrestling, the NFL and boxing bouts. Netflix will have all 47 games from the tournament live and on-demand in Japan. “This partnership demonstrates the growing popularity of the tournament, increasing interest in the event from global media companies and WBCI’s effort to engage with fans through innovative digital platforms,” said Noah Garden, MLB Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media.
