Fremantle’s Original Productions (OP) has teamed up with Web3 pioneer Stuff.io to debut its new How The World Went Ape$h!t documentary exclusively on the Stuff.io marketplace. According to OP, the production will be Fremantle’s first major premiere in the US to be delivered as a fully ownable digital film.
From the creative storytelling of director Sharon Bordas and documentary producer Jeff Hasler, How the World Went Ape$h!t, is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of the rise and fall of the NFT from the point of view of the NFTs themselves.
In 2021, the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection was born and swiftly monetised, igniting rumblings that the crypto art revolution was about to redefine ownership. A perfect storm of financial speculation, creative opportunism and impulsive idealism swept the nation as celebrities and one-percenters poured resources and energy into digital currency and blockchain technology. How the World Went Ape$h!t enlists the aid of the NFTs who lived it -– and real people, too – to bring the viewer on a journey of the highs and lows of this cultural moment. Featuring pivotal events from influential figures and celebrities, the documentary covers all the big names that were NFT forerunners.
Reflecting the film’s theme of revolution in commerce and art, OP wanted to extend that spirit by distributing How The World Went Ape$h!t directly to viewers via the blockchain. Just as NFTs redefine ownership and access in the digital world, by partnering with Stuff.io and their Verified Digital Origin technology, the film will first premiere by challenging traditional models and offering a more personal, immediate approach to experiencing art and cinema. This new distribution model will provide fans with a unique, verifiable version of the film, while offering OP an opportunity to build a lasting relationship with them that goes beyond the initial release of the film.
“We’re always looking to grow our business and explore completely new ways of doing things,” said Hasler, president of Original Productions. “This approach to getting our film out into the world is unlike anything we’ve done before. We’re excited to connect directly with our fans and give them actual ownership of the stories they love through this innovative technology from our partners at Stuff.io.”
“Fans have been renting their entertainment for years without realising it,” added Joshua Stone, CEO of Stuff.io. “With How the World Went Ape$h!t, we’re delivering the original promise of Web3, with buyers truly owning what they purchase, while supporting the creativity behind the project. That’s a revolution we’re proud to lead.”
According to the partners involved, the project matters for three reasons:
Creator Equity: Opens up a new revenue stream—one that helps support the filmmaker’s investment and sustains the creative work long after the film’s release.
Consumer Freedom: Viewers gain control over films—watch, trade, or hold forever.
Provenance & Scarcity: Each Media Token carries a transparent ownership trail, guaranteeing authenticity and unlocking new collector value.
How the World Went Ape$h!t is produced by Original Productions, and Mindshow, in association with AKSinger Media, LLC and Full Mint Films, LLC.
Stuff.io is a Web3 digital media marketplace, empowering digital ownership of movies, music, books and more. Decentralised, encrypted assets empower consumers to buy, sell, or gift their content freely while ensuring creators earn on every transaction.
