EXCLUSIVE: Time Studios, the Emmy-winning film and television division of Time, is partnering with purpose-driven media company Partners In Kind to co-produce and co-finance a slate of documentary features over the next two years.
United by a shared mission to drive cultural and social impact through storytelling, their first shared project is Winnie and Nelson, a biography and political thriller that explores how the love story between a young Winnie and an older Nelson Mandela fueled a revolution that changed the world, leaving Mandela as a global hero and Winnie as a misunderstood figure in history. Pic’s director is Dawn Porter, the award-winner behind titles like John Lewis: Good Trouble and The Way I See It.
Another shared project, Monolith, exploring the impact of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, was announced in April. Slated for release in 2026, the film is being made in partnership with the legendary filmmaker’s estate and the Stanley Kubrick Film Archive. Stevan Riley (Listen to Me Marlon) is directing, with Phoenix Pictures, Catchlight Studios, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way producing, and DiCaprio exec producing.
We’re told that collaborations from Time Studios and Partners In Kind will span diverse genres and perspectives. Currently, the organizations are evaluating multiple inbound projects, while pushing forward those originating within their respective development slates. Through the Partners In Kind Foundation, each project will have a corresponding impact campaign designed to extend its reach beyond the screen.
Calling the partnership “a natural alignment of values and vision,” Time Studios President Dave O’Connor said, “Together with Partners In Kind, we’re proud to bring transformative stories to the screen that reflect the power of resilience, leadership, and love in the face of adversity.”
Said Partners In Kind Co-Founders Gillian Hormel and Shelly Tygielski, “At Partners In Kind, we are passionate about amplifying untold stories and bringing critical, often overlooked perspectives to the forefront. Through this partnership with TIME Studios, we are proud to support filmmakers who illuminate complex truths, honor historical legacies, and challenge audiences to reflect on the ethical and cultural forces shaping our world. Together, we are committed to producing bold, enduring films that inform, engage, and inspire.”
For her part, Winnie and Nelson helmer Porter emphasized the importance of bold investment in documentary filmmaking in this moment, saying in part, “I hope that other funders are inspired by this powerful partnership. Audiences love our films, and this investment allows us to continue to serve them.”
For Time Studios, recent projects on the film side include Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words, Frida, and The Last Repair Shop, the Oscar-winning short from filmmakers Kris Bowers and Ben Proudfoot. The company is repped by CAA. Partners In Kind is represented by Marc Chamlin at Loeb & Loeb LLP.
