SARAH BEST AND MARISSA OGBEIDE JOIN THE UK TEAM

 

Federation Stories UK today announced the appointments of Executive Producer Sarah Best and Development Executive, Marissa Ogbeide to work across the company’s expanding international drama production slate which already includes several high-profile projects in development with broadcasters.

Sarah Best joins from Sky backed Sugar Films where she built an ambitious international slate alongside CEO Kwadjo Dajan, in partnership with broadcasters such as Sky, BBC, Channel 4, ABC Studios and Disney. Sarah began her career working as a runner in her native Liverpool, moving up from the floor to the production office, working with Stephen Frears, Jimmy McGovern and Samuel L. Jackson along the way.  She then worked at talent-led Natural Nylon and Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment where she became head of UK drama after working in their artist & brand management for clients including Annie Lennox and the ‘Pop Idol’ format globally.

Polly Williams, Managing Director said, “I have worked with Sarah in the past and long admired her. To now have Sarah working side by side with us at Federation Stories, both on her own dramas and those we already have, is absolutely thrilling. She’s a fantastic talent with a wealth of amazing experience and first-class creative skills and instincts.”

Marissa Ogbeide was also at Sugar Films and has worked across the film and TV industries in development and as a freelance script consultant and screenwriter. She was the development executive for DBK Studios on ‘Unearthed Narratives’, a series of five short films by up-and-coming filmmaking talent, released on Sky Arts in April 2022. Cast include Stephen Odubola (Blue Story), Hope Ipoku and Malcolm Kamulete (Top Boy), Dorcas Shola Fapson (MTV’s Shuga), Ellis George (Small Axe: Lover’s Rock), Susannah Harker (BAFTA nominated for House of Cards) and Paterson Joseph (Noughts and Crosses). The series was commissioned by Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment, Phil Edgar Jones for Sky and Manpreet Dosanjh commissioning editor for Sky Studios.

Arielle Gottlieb, Creative Director, said “We are delighted that Marissa, a remarkably, gifted executive with wonderful talent relationships and impeccable taste, is joining our creative team. As we expand and ramp up towards production, we know Marissa and Sarah will be invaluable to our growth and development.”

Federation Stories recently announced that award-winning screen-writer Sarah Phelps will adapt Jackie Collins’ New York Times best-seller Lovers & Gamblers as a new television series, now with a major broadcaster.  Sarah Phelps will adapt the script and executive produce alongside Federation Stories’ Polly Williams and Arielle Gottlieb.