Topic Studios, the award-winning production company behind films such as ‘A Real Pain’, ‘Spencer’ and ‘Spotlight’, as well as documentary films and series such as ‘100 Foot Wave’, ‘It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley’ and the Oscar-nominated ‘Folktales’, is setting up shop in the UK.
Rather than opening its own office and focusing on scripted projects, as has been the model for many other US production companies that have recently expanded to the British capital, Topic is launching a new unscripted venture in the UK, Puzzle Pictures, led by Grierson Award-winning and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Sam Hobbinkson.
Puzzle Pictures will focus on premium nonfiction content sold to streamers around the world, which Topic says will “meet audience demand for propulsive, cinematic, documentary storytelling.”
“We are excited to take this bold new step with Topic Studios,” said Hobkinson. “Puzzle Pictures aims to be a pioneer in modern documentary filmmaking. We create groundbreaking work, collaborate with top talent, cultivate new voices, and partner with companies around the world to provide creative guidance in an increasingly global field.”
Kristin Connor, Topic’s senior vice president of nonfiction series and documentaries, added: “Sam is one of the most unique voices working in the nonfiction industry today. His work combines rigorous reporting with a cinematic sensibility that gives complex stories propulsive and emotional resonance. His approach aligns perfectly with the foundation we’ve built at Topic, and we’re excited to partner with him on the launch of Puzzle Pictures.”
The announcement follows several recent productions from Topic Studios across Europe, including the erotic thriller Scorn, written and directed by Sarah-Violet Bliss and starring Adria Arjona and Kingsley Ben-Adir. Production on the film wrapped in Leeds earlier this month.
Following the launch of Puzzle Pictures, Topic looks forward to further expanding its UK footprint through similar joint ventures with filmmakers, screenwriters and producers.
“As Topic continues to grow, expanding our presence in the UK allows us to build on one of the most dynamic filmmaking communities in the world,” said Ian Stratford, Chief Operating Officer of First Look Media and Topic Studios. “We are focused on building a globally active studio while maintaining close, long-term creative partnerships with great filmmakers. Sam and Puzzle Pictures represent just that type of collaboration.”
Hobkinson is known for the documentary The Stalker Killer (2024), the Sundance hit Misha and the Wolf (2021), and the series Fear City (2020), all of which became global hits for Netflix, with Fear City becoming the number one Netflix show in the US, UK and Ireland, and The Stalker Killer becoming one of the most-watched films in the world in 2024. His documentary work ranges from ground-breaking art series such as the BBC’s Venice, to war zone documentaries and testimonial-driven films such as the Real Screen Award-winning Nat Geo feature Hunt for the Boston Bombers.
