DAZN is further investing in its global original production strategy with the launch of specialist content development arm, DAZN Studios. The division will enhance the company’s ability to create development deals, sell and license its original sport documentaries, series, and films, and explore new production opportunities. DAZN Studios will launch as the streaming service unveils its global original content slate for 2022, featuring a line-up of global sporting icons including Ronaldo Nazario De Lima and Diego Maradona. As the sporting world readies for another thrilling FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022, DAZN’s slate brings together a collection of evocative stories from tournaments past that captured the attention and imagination of the world over, as part of its ‘World Cup Stories’ series.
DAZN is currently working with some of the biggest names in sport and film via its DAZN Originals brand of productions including "La Guerra Civil" directed by Eva Longoria Bastón, which will premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2022. Additionally, DAZN Studios will seek to work with the next generation of content creators to develop exciting new programming that reflects the future of storytelling in sport.
“Sport has the power to inspire and connect people around the world, and evocative storytelling can bring us closer to its beating heart. DAZN Studios is going to enable us to broaden our original programming offering with productions that not only drive deeper engagement with fans but create opportunities via licensing, distribution, advertising and commissions," Ed McCarthy, DAZN’s Chief Operating Officer, said.
"We are incredibly excited to be working with the next generation of creators and giving them an environment to do what they do best; create engaging and innovative productions,” DAZN’s EVP Global Commissioning & Original Content, Grant Best, added. “DAZN Studios will be a space where artists have the space to be creative and produce documentaries, series and films all in the world of sport.”
The first feature-length documentary in DAZN’s "World Cup Stories" series celebrating the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. "Green Lions" explores the inspiring untold story of Cameroon’s 1990 World Cup heroes. The film shines a spotlight on one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history; when African nation Cameroon defeated the reigning world champions Argentina in the opening game of Italia ‘90. More than 30 years on from those captivating events, "Green Lions" takes viewers inside the Cameroon training camp to tell the full story from the perspective of those involved for the first time and how their success has impacted the development of a nation and its players. Produced with Archer’s Mark and Dark Pictures, for DAZN, "Green Lions" is an intimate reflection on a team of amateurs, who dared to dream, achieved the impossible and inspired a generation around the globe.
DAZN will also launch "Maradona: The Fall", an explosive look behind the scenes of one of the biggest controversies in World Cup history. The feature-length documentary explores football legend Diego Maradona’s fall from grace following a failed drug test during the 1994 World Cup, as told by the people on the inside. Featuring exclusive interviews with FIFA president Sepp Blatter, Claudio Caniggia and Alan Rothenberg. "Maradona: The Fall" is directed by Angus MacQueen (Maradona in Mexico) and produced by Ronachan Films and will land on DAZN globally in Autumn 2022.
The much-awaited second production from DAZN’s 3-project development deal with Brazilian football icon Ronaldo is "Ronnie", which documents the ultimate redemption story of O Fenômeno. A film of intoxicating highs and shattering lows, the feature-length documentary explores Ronaldo Nazario de Lima’s World Cup career; from the mystery that surrounded the World Cup final in France ’98, followed by two debilitating knee injuries that forced the world’s greatest ever striker to spend far too long on the sidelines. Featuring exclusive interviews with football superstars Roberto Carlos, Paulo Maldini, Romário de Souza Faria, and Zinedine Zidane, "Ronnie" is a Zoom Sport production with DAZN and set for a theatrical release in 2022.
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