Nilaya Productions
Nilaya Productions is a French independent production company founded in 2011 that produces documentaries, docu-fiction, and TV movies for French public broadcasters and international distribution partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersNeuilly-sur-seine, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Nilaya Productions does
Nilaya Productions is an independent French production company founded in 2011 by Patricia Boutinard Rouelle, the former 16-year Head of Documentaries at France Télévisions. The company produces ambitious documentaries, docu-fictions, and TV movies across genres including history, current affairs, science, culture, and adventure — covering subjects as varied as the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, Latin American political struggles, Sicilian Mafia photography, mountaineering, Russian election interference, and historical figures such as Federico Fellini and Robert De Niro. Its core technology is creative editorial and production capability rather than software or platform infrastructure, with no proprietary AI, APIs, or patented systems disclosed.
The business model is B2B project-based content licensing: Nilaya develops and produces programs primarily under coproduction and pre-sale agreements with French public broadcasters (France 2, France 3, France 5, Canal+) and ARTE France, then exploits international rights through dedicated sales agents (ARTE Distribution, ZED) and streaming platforms (Curiosity Stream, Nat Geo, MyCanal, france.tv, arte.tv). Revenue is generated through one-time production licensing fees, broadcasting rights sales, and international distribution royalties, with select theatrical releases (notably Amos Gitaï's A L'Ouest du Jourdain at Cannes Directors' Fortnight 2017) providing additional upside.
The company is privately held with a lean team of 1-10 people based in Neuilly-sur-Seine, and operates without disclosed external funding, parent company, or institutional investment. Its go-to-market relies on the founder's deep broadcaster relationships, a multi-format catalog of 14+ years of award-winning productions, and consistent festival-circuit recognition (FIPADOC, PriMed, Lauriers de l'Audiovisuel) used as both creative validation and marketing channel for new coproduction pitches.
Nilaya Productions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Nilaya Productions
- Legal name
- Nilaya Productions
- Website
- https://nilaya.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Nilaya Productions is a French independent production company founded in 2011 that produces documentaries, docu-fiction, and TV movies for French public broadcasters and international distribution partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Nilaya Productions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- TV and Film Production Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries (MPADADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Arts & Culture Documentaries (MPADADAI)
Keywords
Where Nilaya Productions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Neuilly-sur-seine
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Nilaya Productions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- TV Documentary Production & Broadcasting Rights: Nilaya produces documentaries and docu-fictions that are broadcast on French channels (France 2, France 3, France 5) and international networks (ARTE, Canal+, RTS, RTBF). Revenue comes from production contracts, broadcasting rights, and international sales through distributors like ARTE Distribution and ZED.
- Theatrical Film Production: The company also produces feature films for theatrical release, including 'A L'Ouest du Jourdain' by Amos Gitaï selected at Cannes Directors' Fortnight.
- International Distribution: Content distributed internationally through platforms like Curiosity Stream, Nat Geo, and various international broadcasters. International sales handled through ARTE Distribution and ZED.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels3 records
Nilaya Productions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Nilaya Productions is an independent French production company that develops, produces, and licenses documentaries, docu-fiction series, and TV movies for French and international broadcasters. The company creates factually inspired programmes covering history, current affairs, science, culture, society, and portrait subjects, delivered in formats ranging from 52-minute documentaries to 3x55' series and theatrical features. Content is commissioned by or coproduced with public broadcasters such as France Télévisions, ARTE, and Canal+, then distributed internationally through sales agents and streaming platforms.
Product overview
Nilaya Productions is a French TV and film production company founded in 2011 by Patricia Boutinard Rouelle, producing ambitious documentaries, docu-fiction, and TV movies across multiple categories. The company's portfolio includes historical documentary series (IN THE NAME OF GOD, LATIN AMERICA, PEOPLE FROM THE NORTH), cultural and portrait documentaries (FELLINI BY FELLINI, ZAHIA A STEP AHEAD, HENRY DE MONFREID), science documentaries (FASTING THE NEW INVESTIGATION), investigative current affairs films (RED SHADOW OVER THE WHITE HOUSE), adventure documentaries (SOPHIE LAVAUD THE FINAL SUMMIT), and historical TV movies (L'Histoire d'Annette Zelman). Products are distributed through major French broadcasters (France 2, France 3, France 5, Canal+), European partners (ARTE, RTS, RTBF), and international streaming platforms (Curiosity Stream, MyCanal, france.tv, arte.tv).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- In the Name of God, The St. Bartholomew's Massacre Unveiled A docu-fiction (2x52') investigating the 1572 St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, following a survivor named Jean on his quest to uncover the truth behind his father's and brother's murders. Directed by Hugues Nancy. Broadcast on France 2.
- Latin America, So Far from God, So Close to the United States A 3-part documentary series (3x55') exploring political struggles in Latin America through six emblematic countries, examining coups, dictatorships, revolutions, and civil wars. Directed by Delphine Jaudeau and Jean-Baptiste Péréité. Selected in official competition at FIPADOC 2026.
- Le Chat et le Renard A documentary series exploring the relationship between French Presidents and Prime Ministers, reflecting the evolution of power practices and major challenges of the Fifth Republic. Adapted from Patrice Duhamel's book. Listed among Nilaya's current productions.
- In the Name of Lost Children A documentary (58 min) about the 1934 Belle-Île-en-Mer reformatory uprising where 56 young prisoners escaped and were brutally punished, leading to journalist Alexis Danan's five-year fight to expose inhumane conditions in French juvenile detention centers. Listed among Nilaya's current productions.
- Henry de Monfreid, The Adventurer of the Red Sea A portrait documentary of Henry de Monfreid, the 20th-century adventurer who left France in 1911, became a Muslim, and lived as a pearl fisherman, arms dealer, and writer in the Red Sea region. Directed by Valérie Manns for France 5.
- Fellini by Fellini An intimate portrait documentary of Federico Fellini based on an unpublished 1981 interview, film excerpts, and archives, celebrating the 30th anniversary of his death. Directed by Jean-Christophe Rosé. Broadcast on ARTE; won Professional Jury Prize at Festival International du Film d'Histoire de Pessac 2023.
- Zahia, A Step Ahead A portrait documentary following Zahia Ziouani, conductor of the Divertimento Symphony Orchestra, as she prepares for a performance at the Philharmonie de Paris with 120 musicians and 400 choristers. Directed by Emilie Therond and Antonin Boutinard Rouelle. Coproduced with Estello Films; won Prix Spécial Culture at Festival de Luchon.
- Fasting, The New Investigation A science documentary (60 min) examining the therapeutic potential of fasting for treating diseases, exploring recent scientific advances and intermittent fasting. Directed by Sylvie Gilman and Thierry de Lestrade, coproduced with ARTE France.
- Red Shadow Over the White House An investigative documentary (52 and 80 min) exploring Russian interference in American politics and the Trump administration's ties to Russia. Directed by Antoine Vitkine, featuring testimony from former CIA and FBI officials. Broadcast on France 5; won the Hors les murs Prize at FIPADOC 2025.
- Her Name Is Battle A documentary portrait (52 min) of Letizia Battaglia, the Sicilian photographer who documented Mafia crimes for over 20 years. Directed by Cécile Allegra, coproduced with Zenit Arti Audiovisive. Won Prix à la diffusion at PRIMED 2025.
- People from the North A historical documentary (90 min) exploring the true history of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region beyond stereotypes, tracing its identity formation from the 19th century to today. Directed by Jean-François Delassus. Premiered on France 3 with 1.8 million viewers plus 400,000 in replay.
- Sophie Lavaud, The Final Summit A documentary portrait following French-Swiss mountaineer Sophie Lavaud as she climbs Nanga Parbat, documenting her achievement of becoming the first French woman to complete the Himalayan grand slam of all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks. Directed by François Damilano, coproduced with Caravan Productions. Broadcast on Canal+; won 41 festival selections and 10 awards including Grand Prix at Mountain Film Festival Torello.
- Il était une fois Marseille (Once Upon a Time Marseille) A 110-minute heritage documentary portrait of Marseille, France's oldest city, narrated by Clara Luciani, exploring the city's 2600-year history through archives and contemporary stories.
- Mark Zuckerberg, The Emperor of Facebook A current affairs documentary (70 and 52 min) exploring Mark Zuckerberg's rise to power and the transformation of social media communication over nearly 20 years. Directed by Julien Le Bot and Laurent Follea.
- Robert De Niro, Hiding in the Spotlight A cultural documentary exploring the real man behind Robert De Niro's extreme acting roles, revealing his sensitivity beyond his public persona. Directed by Jean-Baptiste Péréité for ARTE. Internationally distributed by ZED.
- L'Histoire d'Annette Zelman A TV movie (90 min) dramatizing the true story of Annette Zelman, a Jewish woman deported to Auschwitz in 1942 after being denounced to the Gestapo. Based on Laurent Joly's book, directed by Philippe Le Guay, starring Julie Gayet. Broadcast on France 2; won Adami Best Male Newcomer award at La Rochelle Fiction Festival 2022.
- A L'Ouest du Jourdain A theatrical feature film directed by Amos Gitaï, selected at Cannes Directors' Fortnight in 2017. Nilaya also produces feature films for theatrical release in addition to television documentaries.
Companies that use Nilaya Productions
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Nilaya Productions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Nilaya Productions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- France TélévisionscorePrimary production partner and broadcaster. France Télévisions includes France 2, France 3, and France 5. Nilaya produces documentaries, docu-fictions, and TV movies for these channels.
- ARTE FrancecoreMajor coproduction partner for European documentary series. ARTE is a Franco-German broadcaster known for quality documentaries and cultural programming.
- Curiosity StreammajorInternational streaming platform for documentaries including Peru, Sacrifices au Royaume de Chimor. Part of global distribution strategy.
- ZEDmajorInternational documentary sales agent handling worldwide distribution for productions like Robert De Niro documentary.
- ARTE DistributionmajorInternational sales and distribution arm of ARTE for coproductions. Handles global sales for documentary series.
- Caravan ProductionsmajorCoproducer of Sophie Lavaud, The Last Summit documentary.
- Estello FilmsminorCoproducer of Zahia, A Step Ahead documentary.
- Zenit Arti AudiovisiveminorItalian coproducer of Her Name Is Battle (Letizia Battaglia documentary) working with RAI Documentari.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Nilaya Productions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Roche Productions: French independent producer of historical and current-affairs documentaries for public broadcasters — closely aligned with Nilaya's history/current-affairs/portrait slate.
- Elephant Doc: Paris-based documentary production company producing ambitious factual programming for French broadcasters and international networks — same customer base (France Télévisions, ARTE) and same production model as Nilaya.
- Maha Productions: French independent producer of documentary and factual programming for public broadcasters — comparable customer base and format mix.
- Les Films d'Ici: Long-established French documentary and documentary-fiction producer supplying ARTE, France Télévisions and international broadcasters — same core genres (history, current affairs, culture) and same commission-led model.
- Siècle Productions: French production house focused on premium documentary and docu-fiction for France Télévisions, ARTE and international partners — directly comparable genre focus and broadcaster relationships.
- ZED: French documentary producer and international sales agent — overlaps with Nilaya as both a producer (Robert De Niro documentary) and as Nilaya's distribution counterpart, making it the closest hybrid peer.
- CC&C (Compagnie des Cinéastes): French independent production company producing documentaries and TV movies for major French broadcasters — overlaps with Nilaya's docu-fiction and TV movie expansion.
- Gedeon Programmes: Major French independent production company producing documentaries, docu-fiction and factual series for French and international broadcasters — directly comparable in genre mix, customer base and production scale.
- Doc en Stock: French documentary production company with strong ties to ARTE and France Télévisions — comparable in scale and broadcaster mix to Nilaya.
Broad incumbents
- ARTE Distribution: International sales arm of ARTE handling global distribution of European documentaries — directly comparable international-monetization function and the principal downstream partner for Nilaya's catalog.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Nilaya Productions social profiles
Digital presenceNilaya Productions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Nilaya Productions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Nilaya Productions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Nilaya Productions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Nilaya Productions
What does Nilaya Productions do?
Nilaya Productions is an independent French production company that develops, produces, and licenses documentaries, docu-fiction series, and TV movies for French and international broadcasters. The company creates factually inspired programmes covering history, current affairs, science, culture, society, and portrait subjects, delivered in formats ranging from 52-minute documentaries to 3x55' series and theatrical features. Content is commissioned by or coproduced with public broadcasters such as France Télévisions, ARTE, and Canal+, then distributed internationally through sales agents and streaming platforms.
Is Nilaya Productions a public or private company?
Nilaya Productions is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Nilaya Productions founded?
Nilaya Productions was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Nilaya Productions based?
Nilaya Productions is headquartered in Neuilly-sur-seine, France, in the Europe region.
How does Nilaya Productions make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. TV Documentary Production & Broadcasting Rights are the primary driver. The others are theatrical Film Production and international Distribution.
Who are Nilaya Productions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Roche Productions, Elephant Doc, Maha Productions, Les Films d'Ici, Siècle Productions, ZED, CC&C (Compagnie des Cinéastes), Gedeon Programmes and Doc en Stock. ARTE Distribution is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Nilaya Productions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Nilaya Productions.
What industry is Nilaya Productions in?
Nilaya Productions's product category is TV and Film Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADADAJ, Business, Politics & Current Affairs Documentaries, with a secondary code of MPADADAI, Arts & Culture Documentaries. Its NAICS code is 512110 and its SIC code is 7812.