Thunderbird Entertainment and APTN Announce Second Season for Queen of the Oil Patch
Critically acclaimed series is produced by the Company's factual division
VANCOUVER, Sept. 13, 2019 /CNW/ - Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. (TSXV:TBRD) ("Thunderbird" or the "Company"), is excited to announce a second season of the hit series Queen of the Oil Patch, has been ordered by national broadcaster APTN. The critically acclaimed documentary series is produced by Thunderbird, a global multiplatform entertainment company, in collaboration with Kah-Kitowak Films. Production is now underway in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and the Mikisew Cree First Nation.
Queen of the Oil Patch received strong reviews for its groundbreaking coverage of the inspirational journey of one man with two spirits – Massey Whiteknife and Iceis Rain. Whiteknife is an openly gay Indigenous entrepreneur. After his multi-million-dollar oil empire in Fort McMurray was devastated by the collapse of oil prices and the 2016 wildfires, Whiteknife worked to rebuild his life with the help of his other spirit, Iceis Rain, a fearless female pop singer and anti-bullying advocate.
"We've been so touched by the response to Season One of Queen of the Oil Patch, and it's gratifying for everyone involved that APTN has chosen to bring back this ground-breaking series for a second season," says Mark Miller, President, Thunderbird Entertainment and Chief Executive Officer, Great Pacific Media. "The journey that Massey Whiteknife and Iceis Rain are undertaking, and bravely sharing with the world, is truly inspiring. It's a genuine honour to continue production on Queen of the Oil Patch. We look forward to continuing to push boundaries and challenge perceptions, with a journey that is far from finished."
The first season of Queen of the Oil Patch was nominated for Best Writing in a Factual Series at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards, and Best Screenwriting in a Documentary Series at the 2019 Leo Awards. It was also well received by critics, with John Doyle of The Globe and Mail writing: "Queen of the Oil Patch is…truly distinct, about a true original. And truly inspiring. This is wonderful TV." Additionally, Rachna Raj Kaur from NOW Toronto called it "a great entryway into the life of a man breaking down boundaries, but also an insightful look into a community unseen on mainstream TV."
Queen of the Oil Patch Season Two will air in Fall 2020, and will feature eight episodes.
Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc.
Thunderbird Entertainment Group is a Vancouver-based global multiplatform entertainment company with offices in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Toronto, Ottawa and London. Thunderbird creates award-winning scripted, unscripted and animated programming for the world's leading digital platforms, as well as Canadian and international broadcasters. Thunderbird's vision is to produce high quality, socially responsible content that makes the world a better place. The company develops, produces and distributes animated, factual and scripted content through its various divisions: Kids and Family Division (Atomic Cartoons), Factual Division (Great Pacific Media), and Scripted Division (Thunderbird Productions). Thunderbird also as division based in the United Kingdom dedicated to establishing partnerships with production companies to develop the Company's intellectual property (IP) and growth in key international territories. For more information, visit: www.thunderbird.tv
Thunderbird Social Media Links
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Website: www.thunderbird.tv
Thunderbird's Factual Division
Thunderbird Entertainment's factual division, Great Pacific Media, is a global leader in television. Started by TV veterans Blair Reekie and Mark Miller, Great Pacific's programs are seen in more than 170 countries. The division specializes in financing and the development, production, co-production, of factual, documentary, game show and reality television. Thunderbird's Factual Division also currently produces the highly rated Discovery Canada series Highway Thru Hell and Heavy Rescue: 401, both of which also stream globally on Netflix. Other series include Save My Reno and Worst to First, which air on HGTV, and Queen of the Oil Patch, which is in production for APTN. For more information, visit: www.greatpacifictv.com
Kah-Kitowak Films
Kah-Kitowak Films is a Vancouver-based production company that works in partnership with Great Pacific Media. Kah-Kitowak produces quality factual content with a focus on positive Indigenous stories.
APTN
APTN launched in 1999, as the first national Indigenous broadcaster in the world, creating a window into the remarkably diverse mosaic of Indigenous Peoples. A respected non-profit, charitable broadcaster and the only one of its kind in North America. Sharing our stories of authenticity in English, French and a variety of Indigenous languages, to approximately 11 million Canadian TV subscribers. With over 80 percent Canadian content, APTN connects with its audience through genuine, inspiring, and engaging entertainment through multiple platforms. For more information, visit: www.aptn.com
SOURCE Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc.
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