1 August, 2014
Libertine Pictures partners with leading Australian factual producer Prospero
Libertine Pictures and Prospero Productions today announced a trans-Tasman partnership that will see the production of
new documentary, factual and drama programming in New Zealand and build on the success of Prospero’s existing factual
formats.
Perth-based Prospero is one of Australia's leading independent documentary production companies having made quality,
multi-award winning documentaries and documentary series for nearly 25 years. Prospero’s Outback Truckers is currently screening on TV One in the prime 7:30pm Saturday slot
The first production for the partnership with New Zealand’s Libertine Pictures is Wild Survivor, a three-part outdoor adventure factual series commissioned by National Geographic Channel, in which presenter Phil
Breslin is challenged to survive in the wilderness using only techniques of indigenous people of the land. Episode one
of Wild Survivor has already shot in the Kimberly region of North West Australia and episodes two and three will shoot in the Rotorua
Lakes region of the North Island and on the coast of the upper South Island this month.
Libertine’s Richard Fletcher said: “We are delighted to partner with Prospero. By sharing expertise and access to
resources and markets, it allows Libertine to enter the factual and documentary production sector with the benefit of
Prospero’s expertise and proven success behind us. It also lets us diversify from our core base of features and
television drama.”
One of Prospero’s managing director Ed Punchard said: “The Prospero signature is strong narrative-driven documentaries
that appeal to a wide range of viewers and we have been looking to expand our production base into New Zealand for some
time. We have been careful to find the right partner and were very impressed with Libertine’s business plan and the
expertise, enthusiasm, and resources they can bring to the partnership. We look forward to working with Richard and
Libertine, and with New Zealand’s highly skilled film makers.”
Gerard Quinn, Chief Executive of Grow Wellington, said the economic development agency welcomed the expertise Prospero
would bring to the local screen sector. “Grow Wellington has enjoyed working with Libertine and Prospero as they’ve
established this partnership. Prospero Productions New Zealand will add depth and scale to the thriving Wellington
screen sector.”
Under the partnership, Prospero and Libertine have formed Prospero Productions New Zealand. Libertine will oversee the
management of the New Zealand company, the physical production of programmes, and work closely with Prospero’s
development and creative team to develop new television programmes for production in New Zealand. Prospero will also
provide its expertise in relation to the financing, distribution and exploitation of the programmes.
About Libertine Pictures
Libertine Pictures, the inaugural recipient of the NZ Film Commission’s Business Development Scheme, was formed in 2013
to bring together exceptional creative talent to make film and television aimed at audiences around the world. Along
with the experience of its founders, producers Richard Fletcher and Paul Davis and writer Neil Cross, the company is
distinguished by its partnerships with practitioners across the industry. This brings their expertise together with the
talents of leading filmmakers and distribution and sales professionals here and overseas.
For more information visit: www.libertinepictures.com
About Prospero Productions
Prospero Productions is one of Australia's leading independent documentary production companies. Having made quality,
multi-award winning documentaries and documentary series for nearly 25 years. The Prospero signature is strong
narrative-driven documentaries that appeal to a wide range of viewers.
Prospero has an outstanding track record of introducing emerging personnel into the Western Australian film industry and
from the outset, have been a dedicated and proven proponent of knowledge-sharing. Prospero has a great commitment to
quality film making. This commitment extends not only to providing high-quality work for film and television production
staff throughout the production and post-production cycle, but also to mentoring and training its staff.
For more information visit: www.prospero.com.au
ENDS