Factual Archives - Go Button Media

As it celebrates 10 years in business, Canadian independent producer Go Button Media is going into production on two new factual series: ‘War Trains’ and ‘Ancient Disasters’. Both have been recently greenlit by long-standing Go Button collaborators, international distributor Cineflix Rights and Canadian broadcaster Super Channel, and form part of a 60-hour slate deal announced last year.

‘War Trains’ takes an unprecedented look at the importance of the train in shaping the outcomes of modern conflict. From heroic freight missions to the mobilisation of great armies and from daring rescues to trains as weapons, the series examines defining moments in railway history that prove the train’s significance as a vital cog in the military machine.

‘Ancient Disasters’ is a visually stunning and cinematic series that revisits the earthquakes, fires, floods and plagues endured by ancient civilisations and reveals new evidence that shows, while these natural catastrophes were beyond their control, their responses could be complex and often chilling.

Felicia Litovitz, VP, Acquisitions North America, Cineflix Rights, says: “Go Button has been a great partner for Cineflix Rights, consistently providing high-quality ideas which we can work together on to deliver multiple series with global appeal, and whose continuing success is demonstrated through these latest deals with National Geographic.”

Kim Ball, chief content officer at Super Channel, adds: “Our partnership with Go Button Media has grown stronger over the past decade. We’re delighted to continue to work alongside Daniel and the team, who consistently deliver compelling, high-quality series, and remain a valued partner. Congratulations on 10 successful years.”

Go Button Media grabs new greenlights, Nat Geo Int’l pickups

Cineflix Rights and Super Channel have greenlit two new factual series from Toronto’s Go Button Media, War Trains (8 x 60 min.) and Ancient Disasters (10 x 60 min.), both of which are now heading into production.

The series orders are part of Go Button’s 60-hour slate deal with the two companies, which was announced last June. Cineflix Rights, the U.K.-based distribution arm of Cineflix Media, functions as the international distributor, while Super Channel is the Canadian broadcaster.

War Trains explores the role of the train in modern warfare. The series combines archival footage, interviews with historians and engineers and CGI recreations to cover the evolution of trains and their impact in landmark battles and conflicts around the globe.

Ancient Disasters examines natural catastrophes that devastated ancient civilizations, and how each society responded. It combines CGI, dramatizations and testimonials from experts to explain the science behind disasters such as the Great Fire of Rome, and analyzes why some societies could recover from these calamities while others could not.

Go Button has also announced that two previously greenlit series under the slate deal — Mysteries of Ancient Medicine (pictured, 10 x 60 min.) and Oracles and Prophets (10 x 60 min.) — have been bought by National Geographic International.

“It feels right to mark the start of Go Button’s 10th anniversary year by going into production on two such powerful series, in collaboration with two of our most enduring partnerships,” said Daniel Oron, co-founder and executive producer of Go Button Media, in a release.

(From Jamie Casemore, Playback Daily; Fire in Rome painting by Hubert Robert)

ZDF Studios’ Into the Universe

Since humans first raised questioning eyes to the stars, each scientific discovery has unveiled new mysteries about the cosmos. Into the Universe delves into these astronomical enigmas, exploring the cycles that shape the sky, from the birth of spiral galaxies to the dramatic deaths of massive stars.

This series poses profound questions, such as whether the universe has a beginning and an end or if it is infinite. The answers may be found in the invisible forces that permeate 95 percent of space—dark energy and dark matter.

Scientists use physics and quantum mechanics to solve these problems, but with phenomena such as black holes, their calculations don’t always bring clarity. Closer to home, astronomers investigate whether, in a universe brimming with galaxies, life is unique to Earth or if aliens might exist elsewhere.

“Into the Universe is more than a science documentary—it’s a cinematic journey through the greatest mysteries of existence,” says Ralf Rückauer, VP Unscripted at ZDF Studios. “With its global appeal, stunning visuals and thought-provoking storytelling, this series is perfectly positioned to captivate audiences across platforms and territories. We’re thrilled to bring this extraordinary exploration of space, time and life to viewers around the world.”

National Geographic Channels explores Secret Nazi Science with Cineflix Rights

National Geographic Channels in the UK and Ireland has picked up Go Button Media-produced factual series Secret Nazi Science from London-based distributor Cineflix Rights.

The 8×60′ show, which originally aired on Super Channel in Canada, reveals how the Nazis commandeered Germany’s top scientists to work around the clock as they attempted to win the Second World War.

Go Button Media has been nominated for 3 Golden Sheaf Awards

Revolutions That Changed History – Documentary History & Biography
To Kill A Dictator – Documentary History & Biography
To Kill A Dictator – Craft Award: Research

Congratulations to the exceptional GBM cast, crew and production teams – and a special nod to Lee Ventura, Robin Webster, Sarah Hewitt, Melanie Wong for their incredible research. Thank you to the Yorkton Film Festival for their recognition of these incredible series.

Revolutions that Changed History

Though history has long lionised its great leaders, being an elite wasn’t all glory and prosperity. Power is far from absolute, and allegiance, always conditional. Uncover the gripping histories behind the battles the old world wrestled. Fought between those set on maintaining the old ways and those seeking to overthrow them.

To Kill a Dictator

In stories motivated by obsession, hatred, politics, and fanaticism, covert plots and dark conspiracies take shape. For decades, the details of these plans, hatched to put an end to tyranny, have remained virtually unknown. Now, we go behind closed doors to meet the rebels, revolutionaries, and intelligence operatives tasked with undertaking these ruthless takedowns.

27Mar

By Go Button Mediain Awards, Believe, Cursed Histories

2025 Canadian Screen Nominations

Go Button Media has been nominated for 3 Canadian Screen Awards

Believe – Best History Documentary Program or Series
Believe – Best Original Music, Documentary
Cursed Histories – Best Direction, Factual

THANK YOU to our super talented and always astounding GBM team, cast and crew in Canada and overseas. CONGRATULATIONS to Adrian Ellis, Nick Walker Grimshaw and our marvelous partners at Superchannel, Off The Fence, Curiosity Stream and Autentic.

Believe

NOMINEE – Best History Documentary Program or Series

NOMINEES:
Daniel Oron, Natasha Ryan (Go Button Media)

SYNOPSIS:
Faith. From the sands of the deserts of the Holy Land to the towering Mountains of the Himalayas, to the glittering Cathedrals of Europe, and the sublime temples of Asia. Journey to these locations of immense beauty; where humanity is touched by the divine. Explore the people and history behind the world’s largest and most influential religions and delve into the rich tapestry of traditions, rituals, and customs to paint an understanding of how believers across the globe live their lives. How did these religions––Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism––come into being and how they shaped our world, focusing on their history and practices. Explore the mosaic of human faith and celebrate the diversity of threads that weave the fabric of our shared human experience.

NOMINEE – Best Original Music, Documentary

NOMINEES:
Adrian Ellis, Nick Walker Grimshaw

EPISODE: “Christianity”
Delve into the roots of Christianity, tracing its origins from the humble beginnings of teachings of Jesus of Nazareth to its transformation into a global phenomenon that has become the world’s largest religion. Through the holidays of Christmas and Easter, viewers will gain new insight into the ever-evolving nature of this tradition and will hit home the core messages of this faith: love, redemption and salvation. These messages have universal appeal but these messages have often been lost through Christianity’s long and complex history.

Cursed Histories

NOMINEE – Best Direction, Factual

NOMINEES:
Daniel Oron

SYNOPSIS:
Unravelling the histories and legends that unleashed a wave of misfortune into the world, these tales of intrigue, heartbreak, and deception are so tragic people still speak of the sinister forces surrounding the cursed. Learn how one misstep can set off a ripple of suffering. From the tomb of Tutankhamen to the Hope Diamond to the Lost City of Frenier, history is riddled with people, places, and objects that spread utterly wicked, unbridled chaos. In the wake of death and disaster, how did these curses come to be? Whose wrath is responsible? What’s the truth behind the unlucky and can anyone ever hope to contain it?

EPISODE: “120 Days of Sodom, The Iceman’s Curse, City of Screams”

A gruesome story penned on a centuries-old scroll makes its way across Europe and leaves a trail of misfortune in its wake. A stone-age mummy emerges from the icy alps and unleashes a spell of death for those who dare get too close. An ancient city in Afghanistan is reduced to rubble, but the souls of its former citizens remain eternally screaming in the dead of the night.

Go Button Media greenlit for two new series by Cineflix Rights, Super Channel

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