Sony and Matt Smith’s Circle Circle Films sign production and distribution deal

Sony Pictures Television has formed a partnership with Circle Circle Films, the UK prodco launched by the director of Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum And Dad. “As a specialist in ground-breaking documentaries and factual series, we’re tremendously excited to be working with him and his team and complementing our existing non-scripted output with his slate," Matthew Justice, EVP of UK & Europe at SPT, said. "We’re thrilled that he sees SPT as the best partner to take Circle Circle to the next stage of its journey.”

Under the terms of the partnership, SPT’s International Production division will co-develop, co-produce and distribute projects from Matt Smith’s Circle Circle Films. The purpose of the deal is to strengthen the prodco's its core creative team and produce content for global audiences.

“Our ambition at SPT is to work with and invest in world class talent, and the breadth of output and success Matt has experienced since he launched Circle Circle Films really speaks for itself," Matthew Justice, EVP UK & Europe, Sony Pictures Television, said. "As a specialist in ground-breaking documentaries and factual series, we’re tremendously excited to be working with him and his team and complementing our existing non-scripted output with his slate.  We’re thrilled that he sees SPT as the best partner to take Circle Circle to the next stage of its journey.”

Smith founded the company in 2018 and has been behind ITVX’s true crime show "The Other Mrs Jordan," Channel 4’s feature documentary "Rooney" and Rio Ferdinand’s "Tipping Point" for Amazon. The acclaimed Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum And Dad, which explored the life of the former football star, won a BAFTA and was produced for the BBC. “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Sony Pictures Television, tapping into their extensive global reach and industry expertise to further turbo-charge our output and build a thriving, inclusive production company," Smith added.