Ringside Media Takes Stake in Joi Productions

Ringside Media, the investment arm of Newen-backed indie Ringside Studios, has acquired a minority stake in Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor’s Joi Productions.

Joi Productions is focused on telling stories that are Black-, queer- and female-led. Founder Gharoro-Akpojotor is a producer and writer whose recent works include the highly acclaimed Blue Story, written and directed by Andrew “Rapman” Onwubolu.

Joining Gharoro-Akpojoto is Wildgaze’s head of development, Tom Hawkins.

Hawkins said: “I’m super excited to be joining Joi Productions and working with Joy on growing her bold and distinctive slate. Joy has proven herself to be an exciting and dynamic producer. And it’s great to be joining the company at such a pivotal moment. We share an ambition to bring subversive, often marginalized, stories to the screen with a playful wit and sense of humor.”

Gharoro-Akpojotor said: “I’m thrilled to be part of the Ringside family. This is a great opportunity for Joi Productions to expand and focus on the type of content and talent that we’re currently missing in mainstream media, and to do it with partners who believe in us makes the journey even more exciting.”

Both Ringside Media and Ringside Studios were founded by British producer and former commissioner Gub Neal (Liaison, The Fall, Queer as Folk) and European media company and distributor Newen.

Kate Bennetts, Ringside’s managing director, said: “Joi has a completely unique voice in the industry and epitomizes the multi-hyphenated individuals who are driving the most interesting content being produced right now. We are excited to see how her formidable talent continues to grow and develop with the support of a company infrastructure behind her.”

Philippe Levasseur, Newen’s head of international, said: “We at Newen are passionate about the next generation of talent emerging and are delighted that the hugely talented and ambitious Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor has joined us.”