Isabelle Graziadey (Terranoa): “In a Turbulent Market, Quality and Innovation Are Our Best Assets”
As the documentary market faces budget cuts and saturation, Terranoa’s Deputy Director shares how historical icons and immersive storytelling are helping the French distributor to stand out.
As MipCom 2025 wraps up in Cannes, Isabelle Graziadey, Deputy Director of Paris-based distributor Terranoa, reflects on recent international successes and how the company is navigating a rapidly evolving documentary landscape.
“Liberté Has Attracted Strong International Interest”
One of the most talked-about titles in Terranoa’s lineup this year is Liberté: The Statue That Wanted to Change the World, currently in production and slated for delivery in June 2026. Co-produced by Gedeon Programmes and ARTE, the film celebrates both the 250th anniversary of American independence and the 140th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty’s inauguration in New York.
The hybrid docu-drama, blending fiction, documentary, and cutting-edge 3D visuals, was pre-bought by Télé-Québec and SBS, with advanced negotiations ongoing in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
“This film revisits the epic transatlantic journey of the statue, and the life of its creator Auguste Bartholdi — a visionary artist whose Paris studio will be recreated in full 3D,” explains Graziadey. “The anniversary angle, iconic subject, and immersive storytelling make it ideal for a broad international audience.”
Marie Stuart, La fabuleuse histoire de l’argent, and a VR Premiere at the Musée d’Orsay
Also generating buzz is Marie Stuart: The Codebreaker Queen, another Gedeon production, which aired on ARTE, BBC, PBS/WNET, SBS, ZDF, and SVT, earning top ratings in ARTE’s prime Saturday “Aventure Humaine” slot. Sales have been confirmed in Canada, with Italy and Poland expected next.
Meanwhile, The Fabulous Story of Money (La fabuleuse histoire de l’argent), a 4x52’ series produced by Iliade Productions and directed by Frédéric Wilner, is nearing delivery and has already piqued the interest of buyers. Co-produced with China’s CCTV, the series explores the global history of currency and its impact on civilization.
“Shot across the globe with a bold, cinematic approach, it offers a universal theme through an original lens — exactly what buyers are asking for,” notes Graziadey.
Expanding the IP, an immersive VR experience based on Liberté will open in September 2026 at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and in New York.
“We Offer a Curated, High-Quality Alternative in a Saturated Market”
Despite economic uncertainty, Terranoa continues to stand out thanks to its editorially curated, high-production-value catalog.
“We represent over a hundred producers — French and international — and focus on projects that blend innovation with strong editorial vision,” Graziadey says. “Anniversary tie-ins, recent discoveries, and bold reconstructions in 2D/3D help us stand out in a market full of low-cost, generic content.”
This year, Terranoa also acquired I’ll Never Be Perfect (Je ne serai jamais parfaite), a powerful, youth-oriented film by Aurore Aubin and Manel Larbi (Ex-aequo Films) produced for Slash. Through the intimate testimonies of three women in their 20s and 30s, the film explores body image and cosmetic surgery, resonating strongly with younger viewers and quickly becoming one of the company’s most-viewed titles.
“This kind of character-driven, socially conscious storytelling reflects the times and broadens our editorial range,” she adds.
At MipCom 2025, Buyers Want Event Content — But Budgets Are Shrinking
As for market trends, Graziadey identifies a strong demand for event-driven docs and clear formats — though she warns of increasing risk-aversion and content homogenization among buyers.
“The big challenge right now is budget erosion,” she explains. “So we work closely with producers from early stages to help shape projects that have strong international potential — from subject choice to visual treatment to distribution strategy.”
Having a deep understanding of trends, combined with pre-financing guidance and direct relationships with broadcasters, gives Terranoa an edge.
“We also make sure our catalog is easily navigable thematically, which is crucial for new buyers like FAST channels and VOD platforms that are driving growth in this fragmented ecosystem.”
Looking Ahead: Quality and Editorial Vision Will Prevail
As the funding environment tightens and competition grows, Graziadey is clear about Terranoa’s direction: “We’ll continue to diversify, but we won’t compromise on quality. That’s what makes us valuable to our partners.”
In a market struggling with volume overload and budget cuts, Terranoa is betting on one thing: stories that matter — told in ways that captivate a global audience.