Maria Ishak Courtesy of Mischief International Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Veteran international TV executive Maria Ishak has launched Mischief International, a Paris- and London-based creative studio specializing in IP development, talent curation, financing, and franchise building. "Mischief International operates as a creative and production partner, focusing on content that blends cultural relevance with strong commercial potential," it said on Thursday. "The company works closely with creators, producers and writers at every stage of the development and production process, bringing expertise that includes strategic packaging, international co-financing, and marketing."Mischief said its slate already includes a feature documentary with Public Square Films directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker David France, a Finnish drama written by screenwriter Camilla Ahlgren, a feature documentary made with All3Media's StoryFilms, and a French-English fact-based drama co-produced with Fremantle's Mintee and U.K.-based Indefinite Films."Mischief is focused on backing bold ideas with a clear path to market. Whether through traditional commissioning or bespoke funding models, we're here to get shows made," said Ishak. "In today's complex and challenged landscape, the need for creatively driven strategic partnerships has never been greater. Mischief combines a story-first vision with hands-on expertise in developing, financing, and producing content that resonates with international audiences."With more than 25 years of experience across the U.S., U.K., and continental Europe, Ishak's expertise ranges from content development and co-productions to sales strategy and deal negotiations.
Prior to founding Mischief, she was head of international content and co-productions at Asacha Media Group, part of Fremantle, leading co-production and co-financing strategies for both in-house and third-party projects. "While at Asacha, Ishak was instrumental in identifying and packaging high-value titles such as Cicatriz (Amazon Spain, TVE, Telekom Serbia) and Poe (TF1, starring Freddie Highmore)," Mischief said. "She also helped navigate the deal that saw the Oaktree Capital-backed business acquired by Fremantle in March 2023, after Asacha had become the fourth-largest production group in Europe." Related Stories Movies Oldenburg Film Festival: Five Can't-Miss Movies Movies Scott Glenn on Gene Hackman, Saving Coppola's Life and Still Having "Gas Left in the Tank" Ishak has also worked on a range of other titles across scripted and unscripted, including It's a Sin(Channel 4/HBO Max), Help (Channel 4/The Forge), Dinosaur (BBC/Two Brothers), The Wave (ArrowMedia), RuPaul's Drag Race (World of Wonder), and Who Is Ghislaine Maxwell (Roast Beef TV). THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up zendaya 'Hannibal' TV Show Creator Wants Zendaya to Star in a 'Silence of the Lambs' Limited Series Three's Company Sold-Out 'Three's Company' Reading Starring Adam Devine and Kaley Cuoco Honors John Ritter's Legacy Theater Polly Holliday, Flo, the "Kiss My Grits" Waitress on 'Alice,' Dies at 88 Live Feed 'Overcompensating' Renewed for Second Season at Prime Video Live Feed The Most-Watched Emmy Series Nominee Is ... 'Survivor'? politics Fox News' Weekend Shuffle: Kayleigh McEnany, Peter Doocy and Jacqui Heinrich In; 'MediaBuzz' Canceled zendaya 'Hannibal' TV Show Creator Wants Zendaya to Star in a 'Silence of the Lambs' Limited Series Three's Company Sold-Out 'Three's Company' Reading Starring Adam Devine and Kaley Cuoco Honors John Ritter's Legacy Theater Polly Holliday, Flo, the "Kiss My Grits" Waitress on 'Alice,' Dies at 88 Live Feed 'Overcompensating' Renewed for Second Season at Prime Video Live Feed The Most-Watched Emmy Series Nominee Is ... 'Survivor'? politics Fox News' Weekend Shuffle: Kayleigh McEnany, Peter Doocy and Jacqui Heinrich In; 'MediaBuzz' Canceled