A group of seven Canadian indie prodcos have formed a joint distribution company, All-In Media Group (AIMG).

AIMG was founded by Up Light Entertainment, Ryan Singh Productions, Montreal United Media Group, Media Business Institute, MiRoCK Media, Olaf Studios and Alagbara Media.

Patricia Scarlett (pictured), AIMG’s president and VP of sales and distribution, told Playback Daily that the idea for the company came after years of collaboration, which was solidified by their participation in the 2022 Access BIPOC Producers from EAVE, the National Screen Institute and the Canada Media Fund.

“As small independent producers, we often encountered similar challenges, particularly in business affairs and distribution,” said Scarlett, also the founder and CEO of Media Business Institute. “Managing the overwhelming paperwork involved in business affairs became increasingly difficult to handle individually. To address this, we began pooling resources, such as sharing business affairs personnel across companies.”

The company, which has offices in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, is currently recruiting for several positions, including a CEO, said Scarlett.

While each company continues to operate independently, they all hold ownership in AIMG, which handles distribution and sales for all members.

AIMG is at Cannes until Thursday (Oct. 24) with several documentaries, shorts and factual series on its debut slate.

These include the documentaries Ray of Hope from Ryan Singh Productions and Media Business Institute, which has been acquired by CBC. The documentary Memento: A South African Adventure and the dramatic short H.E.N.R.I. are also from Ryan Singh Productions.

Olaf Studios is behind the documentary 50 Days in Africa and the dramatic short Savannah.

Aside from Ray of Hope, Media Business Institute is also behind the documentaries Of Cod and Rum: The Newfoundland Connection and RasTa: A Soul’s Journey.

It is also presenting the 8 x 30-minute factual series Hot Buttons with Carleen Robinson and Triston Walker. Scarlett said AIMG is still seeking presales to finance season one, which has been picked up by the Watertown, N.Y.-based pubcaster WPBS-TV.

Several of the companies in AIMG are collaborating with Annecy-based Animalps Productions, like Montreal United Media on the 26 x 11-minute 2D-animated Bella’s Ball Game, based on the novel The Secret History of Balls by Josh Chetwynd.

According to Scarlett, Alagbara Media is in “early discussions” with Animalps on Kenya’s Court, about a young daughter who resolves playground and neighbourhood disputes by holding court.

AIMG is handling distribution on the 2D-animated series Harrison’s Hat, based on the e-book series of the same name from Animalps and Toronto’s Yonge Street Productions.

The company is also working on acquiring third-party projects. Scarlett also said it had recently acquired the option for Canadian author Deborah Ellis’ book The Outsmarters, with plans to adapt into a 30-minute drama series. Ellis will collaborate with the writing team during development.

Image courtesy of All-In Media Group