Stutter School sets sights on international format

Factual series Stutter School, produced by Southern Pictures for SBS, is set for new international adaptations after it secured representation by UK-based distributor, Orange Smarty and access to the McGuire Programme worldwide.

The SBS doco shone a light on the McGuire Programme as a cast of stutterers embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime residential course, in which they must confront their stutter and face their fears in order to finally find their voice.

Stutter School was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2021 New York Film & Television Awards, and was sold into Europe and North America, but now local territory editions are on the horizon.

Southern Pictures Chief Executive Officer, Laurie Critchley said “We’re thrilled to have secured the exclusive access and support of the McGuire Programme, around the world, to make this story available as a global format. The opportunities to join people on a journey from despair, isolation and fear to hope and possibility, against all the odds, are far and few between. Stutter School takes us on the raw and ultimately exhilarating truth of what this means”

Karen Young, Chief Executive Officer at Orange Smarty said, “We were delighted to hear that Southern Pictures has secured a deal with the McGuire Programme. From our perspective, being able to present this level of access and exclusivity helps strengthen our proposition, presenting a full solution to the Format Buyers and ultimately easing the path to a Commission.”

Fun fact: in this video is actor Zoe Terakes in the public scene.