Starbucks Studios Partners with Sugar23 for New Documentary ‘Madwoman’s Game’

In a noteworthy development for the entertainment industry, Starbucks Studios has announced a partnership with Sugar23 to produce a new feature documentary, «Madwoman’s Game.» The project will be directed by an Emmy-winning showrunner known for work on the docuseries «Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.» This documentary aims to explore the personal and strategic lessons of life through the eyes of a young Latina chess enthusiast, Bianca Mitchell-Avila.

This venture marks the first initiative greenlighted after Starbucks Studios formed a content partnership with Sugar23, the production company led by Oscar-winning producer Michael Sugar, known for «Spotlight.» The alliance represents an ambitious step to integrate brands directly into the financial and narrative aspects of documentary and narrative content creation.

The project boasts an impressive lineup of producers and executives. Reeves and Carla Berkowitz will serve as executive producers alongside Starbucks, Sugar23, and UltraBoom Media. Michael Sugar, in collaboration with Matt Rotondo, David Hillman, Michael Simkin, and Erik Osterholm, will helm the production duties. Angela Almeida will take on the responsibilities of supervising producer, with Alex Anhalt as the co-producer.

«Madwoman’s Game» aims to debut as a feature documentary with potential backdoor pilot aspirations. This endeavor underscores the growing trend of partnerships between media companies and brands, aiming to cultivate innovative and diverse storytelling opportunities in the film and television sectors.