Veteran international TV executive Maria Ishak has launched Mischief International, a Paris- and London-based creative studio specializing in IP development, talent curation, financing, and franchise building.
“Mischief International operates as a creative and production partner, focusing on content that blends cultural relevance with strong commercial potential,” it said on Thursday. “The company works closely with creators, producers and writers at every stage of the development and production process, bringing expertise that includes strategic packaging, international co-financing, and marketing.”
Mischief said its slate already includes a feature documentary with Public Square Films directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker David France, a Finnish drama written by screenwriter Camilla Ahlgren, a feature documentary made with All3Media’s StoryFilms, and a French-English fact-based drama co-produced with Fremantle’s Mintee and U.K.-based Indefinite Films.
“Mischief is focused on backing bold ideas with a clear path to market. Whether through traditional commissioning or bespoke funding models, we’re here to get shows made,” said Ishak. “In today’s complex and challenged landscape, the need for creatively driven strategic partnerships has never been greater. Mischief combines a story-first vision with hands-on expertise in developing, financing, and producing content that resonates with international audiences.”
With more than 25 years of experience across the U.S., U.K., and continental Europe, Ishak’s expertise ranges from content development and co-productions to sales strategy and deal negotiations.
Prior to founding Mischief, she was head of international content and co-productions at Asacha Media Group, part of Fremantle, leading co-production and co-financing strategies for both in-house and third-party projects. “While at Asacha, Ishak was instrumental in identifying and packaging high-value titles such as Cicatriz (Amazon Spain, TVE, Telekom Serbia) and Poe (TF1, starring Freddie Highmore),” Mischief said. “She also helped navigate the deal that saw the Oaktree Capital-backed business acquired by Fremantle in March 2023, after Asacha had become the fourth-largest production group in Europe.”
Ishak has also worked on a range of other titles across scripted and unscripted, including It’s a Sin
(Channel 4/HBO Max), Help (Channel 4/The Forge), Dinosaur (BBC/Two Brothers), The Wave (Arrow
Media), RuPaul’s Drag Race (World of Wonder), and Who Is Ghislaine Maxwell (Roast Beef TV).