Film firm taps Borderline’s Rocha to lead TV unit

Zoë Rocha, who produces Channel 5 and Netflix mockumentary Borderline, is joining film financier The Fyzz facility to launch a new TV arm.

She has been named managing director of The Fyzz Facility TV, which will focus on financing and producing high-end scripted programming from its London base.

Rocha (pictured) will also oversee projects at LittleRock Pictures, the prodco she launched with The Royle Family star Ralph Little. These include Borderline, whose second season launches next month.

Before launching LittleRock, Rocha was a business affairs exec at the Recorded Picture Company / HanWay Films, and also spent several years as COO of Stephen Fry’s prodco, Sprout Pictures.

At the latter firm, she was executive produce on all projects, including Sky Arts series Playhouse Presents, which starred Emma Thompson and Idris Elba among others.

She also developed and produced Sky1 comedy Capturing Santa, which starred Chris O’Dowd and eventually became the full series Moone Boy.

LittleRock also signed a distribution deal with European pay TV giant Sky’s sales arm, Sky Vision, in 2015.

Wayne Marc Godfrey and Robert Jones launched The Fyzz Facility back in 2010. The London- and LA-based company has invested more than US$250 million in more than 200 features films, including Taylor Sheridan’s Wind River and Martin Scorsese-directed Silence.

“When Robert and Wayne approached me to establish The Fyzz Facility TV my answer was a resounding yes,” said Rocha.

“The Fyzz has a sterling reputation within the world of film financing and production and Robert and Wayne share my desire to develop high-end, prestigious, visionary drama with the best talent in TV and film.”

Godfrey said the launch of The Fyzz Facility TV came “at a time when there is so much talent and innovation” in the sector.

“Zoë combines great taste and talent relationships with an irrepressible entrepreneurial energy,” he added.