‘The IP List 2025’ Spotlights Journalistic Works Available to Option for Film and TV

A new list aims to spotlight journalistic works available to option for film and TV buyers and creators.

The IP List 2025 hails from Popshift, a project of Pathos Labs, which is a nonprofit laboratory “focused on building new strategies to leverage the power and reach of media and entertainment to bring forth a better future.” PopShift makes connections between  showrunners, writers and executives and “some of the world’s most fascinating people … to promote authentic, nuanced and equitable narratives in television and film.”

The IP List 2025 is a catalog spotlighting the “most cinematic, adaptation-ready journalistic works from undertapped newsrooms across the United States and Canada.” The aim is to strengthen the connection between Hollywood and journalists. The list includes works from a range of journalistic organizations, from small newsrooms to independent journalists to legacy outlets, and a range of stories, from hard-hitting investigative features to heartwarming profiles.

“Some of the most powerful film and television content is adapted from journalistic reporting. But these deals are mostly reserved for large legacy publications,” said Christine McLaren, a journalist and editor who created the project in collaboration with PopShift. “This inequitable distribution of opportunities is not just failing journalism — it’s failing the entertainment industry too. I am honored to launch The IP List 2025 as a first step toward changing that and showing just how much the journalism industry as a whole, in all its richness and diversity, has to offer Hollywood.” 

The folks behind the list note that there is a lack of opportunities for news media to collaborate with Hollywood and showcase their works, which leads to a “false perception” that there is no new IP to adapt. They’re hoping to change that.

“I’ve had many conversations with production companies and studios who, knowing the importance of good IP, were trying to find new pathways to find the undiscovered gems,” said Romain Vakilitabar, the executive director of Pathos Labs. “We’re excited to be widening that pool. And especially in a way that provides incredible journalists added attention to their incredible stories.”

The project was developed with guidance from an advisory committee of journalism and Hollywood industry leaders, including Reza Aslan, an Emmy- and Peabody-nominated producer. 

“The IP List is a powerful bridge between great journalism and an industry hungry for authentic stories. It expands opportunity for journalists, enriches the creative pipeline and helps bring essential reporting to audiences who need it most,” Aslan said. “As a producer and writer, I know how transformative it is when rigorous, truth-driven journalism becomes the foundation for compelling storytelling — this initiative helps make that possible.”

Last year, PopShift released its inaugural IP pilot, which included fiction books from underrepresented authors. Both projects were supported by the Nielsen Foundation. 

See more information here.