Factual

Off the Fence (OTF) has signed a representation deal with Bristol-based indie DocYard TV, adding two new premium wildlife documentaries to its distribution slate: Hidden Kingdom: Kalahari (2x60’) and Ancient Eden: Mayan Jungle (working title, 2x60’), both originally commissioned by ARTE.
Hidden Kingdom: Kalahari follows the wildlife of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert during one of the most severe droughts in centuries, capturing rare behaviours from species including leopards, wild dogs, hyenas and elephants.
Ancient Eden: Mayan Jungle combines natural history and archaeology, exploring the relationship between the ancient Maya civilization and the ecosystems of Mexico’s Calakmul forest. The two-part documentary is co-produced and presented by biologist and broadcaster Dan O’Neill, alongside wildlife cinematographer Anna Dimitriadis. Filming is scheduled to begin in July 2026.

Andrew Zikking, founder of DocYard TV and executive producer of both projects, said: “Launching DocYard during such changing times in factual television, I knew we would need to do things differently to get any projects off the ground. For Ancient Eden, having worked with Dan O’Neill on many series together, it’s a perfect collaboration and the first of many. He is not only exceptional on-screen talent but has also spent 15 years in deep conservation work and his incredible understanding and knowledge is extremely valuable. Collaborating more with filmmakers and researchers on the ground, and giving them a bigger role in a project, is a win-win right now - we can get access to the most extraordinary locations, footage and research projects that deserve the spotlight, whilst being able to harness authentic scientific expertise that many broadcasters want, all crucially, at a budget they, and we, can afford. It's not easy, but then again, nothing is right now. But also partnering with my long-standing colleagues at OTF puts a special detail on this deal – they are best placed to make these shows accessible to as many broadcasters, streamers, platforms and channels to allow audiences wherever they are to step into these worlds.”
Dan O’Neill said: “Calakmul is one of the most extraordinary places I’ve ever worked, a vast forest with no rivers, entirely fuelled by ever changing rains. It is exceptionally alive. I’ve been monitoring the wildlife here for nearly a decade, and the more time I spend in it, the more I find myself asking not just what lives here, but why, and how. What we’re beginning to understand is that the answer lies buried in the ruins around us. The ancient Maya inhabited this landscape, and what’s more, they engineered it. In an era of accelerating climate change and biodiversity loss, this fascinating history could be the source of a survival blueprint for our future.”
Anna Dimitriadis said: "Whenever I step foot in a forest, I get this feeling that there's something incredible waiting to be discovered, and this jungle is no exception. With cutting-edge technology, we're getting closer than ever to its wildlife and uncovering an extraordinary truth - that the ancient Maya may have played a key role in creating and sustaining this wild paradise."

The deal comes as Off the Fence expands its investment in natural history programming. Earlier this year, the company announced a strategic collaboration with John Downer Productions and One Tribe TV to co-develop and co-produce a slate of wildlife projects, creating new opportunities for broadcasters, streamers and international partners.