EXCLUSIVE: Australia’s RIISE Productions, the film and TV arm of sustainable e-commerce platform RIISE World, is planning a global expansion following recent trips to the Berlinale and MIP London.
McCulloch has been upped from Head of Development to Global Head of Development, Film and TV, to oversee a slate comprising scripted series and films, unscripted series, formats and documentaries.
Each project is designed for entertainment, but “subtly positions a desirable sustainable lifestyle embedded in the life of protagonists and viewers,” according to the company. Details on individual projects are under wraps, but RIISE has twice made trips to Europe this year to pitch.
The scripted slate projects with Rake creator Peter Duncan, and a feature film with horror writer, Natasha Le Petit. These are planned as “compelling stories and complex characters to hook viewers and provoke conversation long after viewing.”
Unscripted projects will lean toward celebrity and fashion, showcasing “showcasing glamorous and desirable lifestyles” that reveal how sustainable pieces and accessories integrate with treasured wardrobe items.
McCulloch joined RIISE in 2021 and has worked in the biz for more than 15 years. She’s known for a spell at Disney Australia and New Zealand, and has held roles at Seven Network and Endemol Shine Australia.
“I’m incredibly passionate about using our platform for good, so it’s an honour to be a part of RIISE Productions at such a pivotal moment in its growth,” said McCulloch. “The power of storytelling to inspire and shift perspectives has never been more apparent or more critical, and I look forward to collaborating with incredible talent worldwide to do this. With them we will create bold, engaging narratives that captivate audiences and spark meaningful conversations.”
“Expanding RIISE Productions globally is a natural next step in our mission to engage mainstream audiences with compelling, world-class storytelling,” said Sara Bell, RIISE’s founder and CEO of RIISE Productions.
Bell founded RIISE World as an e-commerce platform dedicated the sustainable living as an aspirational lifestyle choice. She created RIISE Productions to create TV and film that stimulates conversation around climate change and sustainability. Together with McCulloch, she launched the company’s first television show, Riise TV, in 2023.
“Amy’s experience and creative vision make her the perfect innovator to drive our ambitious production slate forward, and we’re looking forward to sharing news on our first projects with our global partners following a successful Berlinale and MIP London,” added Bell.
