An independent producer and distributor founded by Manuel Catteau almost 30 years ago, ZED is a key player in French documentary production, with a raft of international broadcasters among its clients: France Télévisions, Canal+, ARTE, BBC, National Geographic, Discovery, PBS, ZDF, NHK, SBS or CuriosityStream.
Thanks to a strong team of 8 producers frequently involved in ambitious international co-productions, ZED produces around 40 films a year, covering all genres in non-fiction: history, science, wildlife, investigation, current affairs, art and culture, social issues… Over the years, ZED has built its reputation by crafting high-end and acclaimed films, recognized in the most famous international festivals.
With a catalogue of nearly 4,000 hours, ZED has established itself as a leading sales company, contributing to the worldwide reputation of French documentaries. The company also runs in-house-developed YouTube channels (SLICE), which reach millions of followers and viewers and expand distribution possibilities.
Recently, ZED has begun exploring and developing XR content production and distribution, working on innovative immersive projects (such as VR and dome cinema), in collaboration with pioneering partners like SMALL CREATIVE and D&D. We are thrilled to explore this emerging field, expanding viewing experiences and pushing documentary storytelling forward.
Nominated 5 times among the 10 best French Producers of the Year, ZED has also won three times the French Export Award, rewarding the most well distributed programs abroad. In 2025, for the seventh consecutive year, ZED was nominated by REALSCREEN as part of the Global 100, the annual snapshot of the best production companies in the non-fiction industry.
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ECOPROD, for audiovisual and cinematographic productions that respect the environment.
LE COLLECTIF 50/50, for equality, parity and diversity in the film and audiovisual industry.
ZED is a 2024 REALSCREEN’S TOP 10 Copro Partners
