Keshet International has acquired exclusive worldwide distribution rights to the feature-length documentary “2024: A Hundred Days That Rocked the Royals” from Oscar-nominated banner ITN Productions.
Commissioned by Channel 5, where it will premiere in the U.K. on Saturday at 1 p.m., the documentary “retells the unprecedented series of crises faced by the royal family in the first three months of 2024 — crises that threatened the very fabric of the monarchy,” according to its synopsis. “A king fighting cancer, a princess undergoing preventative chemotherapy and an heir torn between privacy and duty are just some of the struggles the royal family had to endure.”
Directed by Myles Judd and executive produced by Daniel Smith, “2024: A Hundred Days That Rocked the Royals” features interviews with royal commentators and journalists who explain how the recent royal crises have sparked countless conspiracy theories and predict what could be next for the British crown.
“We are very happy to be partnering with ITN Productions for the very first time on this timely feature doc,” said Anke Stoll, Keshet’s SVP of acquisitions and co-productions. “Their world-leading reputation in producing fast-turnaround documentaries combined with their enviable archive and journalistic skills ensure they’re perfectly placed to produce a topical but sensitive one-off about the Royal Family.”
ITN Productions most recently received a best feature documentary Oscar nomination in 2020 for “For Sama,” which follows journalist Waad Al-Kateab throughout the Syrian uprising. Its first Oscar nomination came in 2017 for “Watani: My Homeland” in the documentary short subject category.
“Global interest in the British monarchy remains extremely high, and we are delighted to be working with Keshet International to take this story into the international market,” said Ian Russell, ITN Productions’ head of international programs. “ITN Productions is known for our ability to react quickly to current events and produce rigorous, high-quality documentaries and this commission for Channel 5 in the U.K. is an excellent example of that.”
Added Kelly Wright, Keshet’s managing director of distribution, “The recent struggles endured by Britain’s royal family have made headline news around the world and generated a global outpouring of concern and sympathy. With its expert analysis and intimate insights, ITN Productions’ film paints a poignant portrait of a monarchy facing up to these challenges with determination and grace that is sure to appeal to many of our clients.”
Keshet’s upcoming spring unscripted slate includes “Earthbound,” a docuseries narrated by Orlando Bloom; “SAS: Catching the Criminals,” a crime series presented by ex-SAS leader Billy Billingham for BBC One; and “Arctic Wildlife in Lapland,” a natural history docuseries focusing on Fennoscandia’s landscape.
Source Agencies
