Ruptly offers free content on launch of new doc division

When An Elephant Smiles

Berlin-based news and media agency Ruptly is marking the launch of its new global documentary division by offering free content to buyers.

The Ruptly Documentary Collection has launched with more than 170 human interest documentaries on its slate and, in recognition of the difficulties posed to broadcasters by Covid-19, will be granting one free licence per client – with more than 70 docs to choose from.

“We realise we are launching Ruptly Documentary Collection at a difficult time, where new content is set to become increasingly hard to come by – and it’s critical that we support one another as an industry,” said Ruptly CCO Matt Tabaccos. “With this in mind, Ruptly will be granting one free documentary licence to every client, to help keep our peers afloat amidst an ever-stronger demand for high-quality long-format content that can engage viewers and retain audiences across platforms.”

Headed by development manager Olivia Cole, the new division aims to forge partnerships with prodcos and content owners and acquire distribution rights for new documentaries and existing catalogues. Aside from a few territorial restrictions, clients will be able to use the service to procure documentaries with non-exclusive rights and a 30-day broadcast window, or a period of 30 days online.

Among the key titles at launch are several RTD productions, including The Coca Trap, which follows rural Colombians whose livelihoods rest upon growing coca leaf, under constant threat from drug traffickers; Dying Alone is an exploration of the Japanese phenomenon of kodokushi – ‘lonely death’ – and the industry built on cleaning the apartments of the recently deceased who passed with no one to care for them; and When An Elephant Smiles is the story of a woman who turned her family farm in the heart of Zimbabwe into a wildlife sanctuary.