Who we are

Cary Woods

Cary Woods is a producer whose career has consistently championed distinctive voices and culturally resonant films. Beginning in the talent world, he developed a reputation for spotting filmmakers and performers early, supporting artists who would go on to shape both studio and indie cinema, including James Mangold, Gus Van Sant, Uma Thurman, Rosario Dawson, Vince Vaughn, Doug Liman, and Jennifer Connelly.

Woods’ producing career spans films that became touchstones of their eras, among them Kids, Swingers, Scream, Rudy, Cop Land, Citizen Ruth, and the early work of Harmony Korine. His ability to back unconventional material and emerging storytellers helped introduce new voices and sensibilities into the industry long before they became mainstream.

He later founded Independent Pictures, a key player in the 1990s independent-film landscape, and co-founded Plum TV, which earned multiple Emmy Awards across several markets. In recent years, he has continued producing and developing socially relevant projects, including Hard Hat Riot for PBS/American Experience and the feature Killer of Men, while serving as a mentor to the next generation of filmmakers.

Today, he remains an active presence in film & TV, bringing decades of experience to new work that reflects his long-standing interest in bold, character-driven storytelling.

The Founder

Mikaela Beardsley

Mikaela Beardsley is an Emmy Award–winning documentary producer whose work has shaped some of the most significant nonfiction filmmaking of the past three decades. Known for her blend of cinematic craft, journalistic integrity, and global impact, she has collaborated with an extraordinary roster of directors and creatives including Martin Scorsese, Ben Affleck, Marc Levin, Alex Gibney, Liz Garbus, Matthew Heineman, Karim Amer, Fisher Stevens, Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady, Eric Metzgar, and David Tedeschi. Her credits span HBO, Showtime, National Geographic, CBC, PBS, and many of the most respected platforms in documentary storytelling.

Beardsley recently produced Martin Scorsese’s Beatles ’64 for Disney+, which premiered globally on November 29, 2024, and the acclaimed “The Hard Hat Riot” for PBS/American Experience (2025). Her past films include The Fourth Estate, The Lincoln Project, First Wave, The 50-Year Argument, A Once and Future Peace, and the Peabody-nominated Reporter, executive produced by Ben Affleck. Her upcoming project One Point Five—a geopolitical climate docu-thriller co-directed by Alex Kerry and Academy Award–winner Jeff Reichert—continues her commitment to urgent, globally relevant storytelling.

A leader in impact-driven media, Beardsley created and executive produced the Half the Sky Movement, a multi-year global initiative that achieved over 2 billion media impressions and raised more than $5 million for programs supporting women and girls. She is also a partner at The Citizens, the UK-based journalism and accountability organization founded by award-winning reporter Carole Cadwalladr, reflecting her deep commitment to public-interest storytelling and global civic action.

Head of Docs & Unscripted

Max Zell

For over a decade, Max Zell has been a producer across film, television, theatre, digital media, and sports entertainment. Zell’s feature film credits include Code 8, the sci-fi streaming hit starring Stephen Amell, and the upcoming NHL biopic Fleury, starring Kevin Zegers. In the documentary space, Zell has helped bring to life several deep dives into pop culture, including Cleanin’ Up the Town, Ghostheads, and RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop.

Zell partnered with multi-time Tony winner Runyonland Productions to bring legendary playwright Douglas Carter Beane’s Fairycakes to the stage; debuting off-Broadway at the Greenwich House Theater, it starred Mo Rocca and Jackie Hoffman.

Before joining Independent Pictures, Zell’s past development experience includes work with major media brands such as AirBnB and TIME Inc., for whom Zell helped develop Apple TV’s first ever unscripted series, Home.

Prior to working in Hollywood, Zell was part of the live events, marketing, and social media team for WWE NXT, where he contributed to the brand’s explosive growth and fan engagement during a pivotal era for the brand.

Zell recently entered the healthcare industry, becoming a minority owner of Prodigy Elite Group and joining its board of directors. Zell promptly brokered a deal for Prodigy to become the title sponsors of the Lumberjack World Championships and strike a pact to develop original content with the organization. In 2026, Zell is set to open his first restaurant in partnership with WWE Legend Adam Scherr, the host and producer of USA Network’s hit food travel series Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman.