A Distinguished Production History,
A Compelling Array of Future Projects

Ferns Productions Inc. produces blue chip factual mini-series, feature films and television drama. Following the four-hour, award-winning Australia-Canada co-production Captain Cook: Obsession and Discovery Ferns produced the three-hour Australia-Canada co-production Darwin’s Brave New World for CBC’s The Nature of Things. The series has received critical acclaim and won the Silver Dragon at the prestigious Silver Dragon Awards. The company has also produced a five-hour version for Arte in France and Germany. Ferns helped to finance The Shipsinkers for National Geographic Channels International as well as China’s Hollywood, a China-France co-production involving Beijing’s CultureLink Media.

China's Hollywood
The Shipsinkers
Drake Poster

The Secret Voyage of Sir Francis Drake
Based on the book by Samuel Bawlf, this drama-documentary series finally solves the four hundred year old mystery of the “missing seven months” during Drake’s voyage into the North Pacific in 1579 and reveals the true location of Nova Albion. Writer: Andrew Ferns.

Ice Captain
A feature-length drama-documentary on the true hero of Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition. Frank Worsley led the Touching the Void escape of its day. Director: Leanne Pooley.
(A Making Movies production, Australia/New Zealand)

Cook Hongi

FACTUAL: IN DEVELOPMENT

Theatrical

1968: The Year That Rocked the World
Based on the best selling book by Mark Kurlansky, this feature-length documentary by award-winning director Sturla Gunnarsson reveals how the gentle idealism of the 60s gave way to the birth of the harsh realities of the world as we now know it. Writers: Pat Ferns + Andrew Koster.
(With Koster Kovitz Productions, BC)

Destination Unknown
A feature length documentary exploring the cultural and historical links between Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Spain. In a light hearted and entertaining fashion, five Maori artists will travel to Spain’s northwestern coastal city of La Coruna. Their aim is to celebrate what could be 500 years of connection between their countries. As they begin creating their art beside the city’s famous Pohutukawa tree (indigenous only to New Zealand) their presence will attract attention. Whether with tourists, artists, sudden fans, ‘haters’, politicians or policemen, as the process unfolds it will be observed through a Maori actress’ guise as a Spanish reporter. How will La Coruna react to Inia’s tattooing and sculptures; Tiki’s freestyle dub-step busking performances; the arrival of London’s Ngati Ranana Kappa Haka performance troupe at the tree; or to Ole’s slam poety, DLT’s murals and George’s sculptures? Will their donated sculptures be accepted by the city? Will OMC’s posthumous album be received with the same enthusiasm as his earlier work? How will Spain affect them? Will some attitudes and opinions change after their journey? Screenplay by Ole Maiava and Andrew Ferns.

Television

Charlie's Canada
Join us on a trip through the history of Toronto, Ontario and Canada, hear the story of contemporary art and design, engage with provocative characters along the way, all served up with the wit and wisdom of Charles Pachter.

Expanding Horizons: Maps That Changed The World
A series of one hour docu-drama episodes, blending the history and science of mapmaking from the world of ancient archives to the present race to own the top of the world. Writer: Wain Fimeri.
(With Chiaro Productions, BC and Film Projects, Australia)

Mismatch - Why Our World No Longer Fits Our Bodies
Based on the book by Peter Gluckman and Mark Hanson, this feature-length documentary brings together the latest research in evolutionary biology, medicine, anthropology and ecology to reveal insights we ignore at our peril.
(With Annie Goldson, New Zealand, + Sonya Pemberton, Australia)

DRAMA: IN DEVELOPMENT

Theatrical

The Dark Ones
A period supernatural horror movie set in the Pacific Northwest of 1779. It’s Predator meets Master and Commander. Placed in command of a British exploration vessel, a young first officer must grow up quickly under extreme pressures of this world and the one beyond. Screenplay by Andrew Ferns.

The World at Night
From the pen of the screenwriter of Gladiator, Grey Owl, Nell and Shadowlands, this feature film examines the morality of torture and the right of the state to use extraordinary means to protect the security of its people. Screenplay by William Nicholson.
(With Allied Capital Corporation, Canada)

The Russian Affair
It is said that the legendary commander of Soviet forces in World War Two, Marshall Zhukov, had a relationship with a young American journalist. This TV movie tells their story. Heroism, intrigue and passion set against the brutal background of war and its aftermath. Screenplay by Janice Cowan.
(With Globus Film, Russian Federation)

Television

Distrikt
Life behind the nightlife. A continuing series of one-hour episodes whose characters are drawn from the club scene: the owners and staff of the city’s coolest club and the beautiful people who frequent it: music, fashion and the shadowed elements of criminality. Screenplay by Andrew Ferns.

Gap Year
An unusual mix of romance and action-adventure is played out against the stunning images of Italy. Dryden, a young Canadian, is a fish out of water when he lands in Rome. He meets Margot. Together they represent a clash of cultures, providing fireworks in an ongoing and evolving relationship. Screenplay by Andrew Ferns.
(With Margot Sikabonyi, Italy)

Shakespeare in Venice
Intrigue, passion and mystery in the tradition of Shakespeare in Love and The Tudors inform this continuing one-hour series. The Bard takes centre stage in a fight for Queen and country, while transforming his experiences into plays for the Globe audience of his time and for us today. Screenplay by Gareth Jones.
(With VipCom Media, Italy and Scenario Films, UK)

Owen and Darwin
The World At Night
HMS Beagle
Hetti Huxley
Huxley at Oxford
Darwin and Fitzroy
Mowachaht
Elizabeth Cook
Ensign