EXCLUSIVE: Indie production house ASOB Media is dressing its doc series A Study on Beauty for MIPCOM Cannes.

Created and written by two-time Creative Arts Emmy winner Gabbi Pascua and directed by Alan Dennis (Morningside 5, 30 for 30), A Study on Beauty explores culture, history, and human identity through the lens of beauty and wellness over seven episodes. You can see a trailer above.

ASOB is framing it as “evoking the visual rigor of Chef’s Table and the cultural depth of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown – with intimate human storytelling.” We first told you about the doc in December 2024, when it was known as A Study on Beauty: Through Smoke.

Season 1 spans three distinct global chapters, with the first chapter, ‘Through Smoke,’ which charts art and heritage of French perfumery was filmed on location across France, including in Grasse – the world’s perfume capital located just up the French Riviera from Cannes, along with Spain, Monaco, Switzerland and Italy. There are also chapters on ‘Onsen,’ which look at Japan’s ancient hot spring bathing rituals and generational healing practices, and ‘Homeland,’ which head to the Philippines to look into matriarchal heritage, colonial history, and indigenous traditions with 109-year-old Kalinga tattoo artist Whang-Od, beauty pioneer Dr. Vicki Belo, ‘the first Asian supermodel’ Anna Bayle and Miss Universe contestants.

Alongside the docuseries, ASOB Media will hit Cannes with a companion podcast, A Student of Beauty, and digital short-form series A Beauty Journey, which has already generated over one million organic cross-platform views.

“Beauty isn’t just cosmetic – it’s a universal language that sits right at the intersection of history, culture, and human connection,” said ASOB founders Pascua and Dennis in a statement. “Moving from behind the scenes into producing this series allowed us to tell stories that treat wellness and heritage with the dignity and scope they deserve.

“Taking A Study on Beauty to MIPCOM allows us to connect with global buyers and distribution partners who see the growing demand for evergreen, cross-cultural programming that actually resonates with audiences.”

Dennis has worked with major music stars such as John Legend, Jennifer Lopez, John Mayer, Meghan Trainor, Demi Lovato, Sia, and Diplo on music videos and short-form content, and began in feature films on Justin Barber horror thriller Phoenix Forgotten. He directed What We Share, a feature doc about Kelly Miyahara’s cancer journey.

Pascua is known for her work as a make-up artist on The Talk. She has served as a makeup artist working with major television networks including CBS, Disney-ABC, NBCUniversal, HBO, FOX, and Netflix, with editorial contributions to Vogue, Teen Vogue, Elle, and Vogue Philippines.

ASOB Media’s executive leadership team includes former Sony Pictures and Lionsgate corporate development exec Ka-Wai Ho, ex-Amazon finance and operations exec Shelby Barnes, business strategist Sal Benti and advisory board member Todd Burns.

EXCLUSIVE: Greg Maurice, who has worked at 1091 Pictures, eOne and Fox Sports, has teamed up with pastor Stephon Chaney to launch Ark Clb, a media company aimed at acquiring, financing, producing and distributing films and TV in the faith and family space.

The company will be based in Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Maurice has acquired for online platform Filmhub for two years and previously served as Senior Director, Global Acquisitions & Co-Productions for 1091 between 2020-2024, and Director of Marketing & Acquisitions at Entertainment One between 2012-2018. He was a Content Director at Fox Sports between 2010-2011.

“I’ve spent much of my career sitting between filmmakers and studios, and I’ve seen extraordinary stories struggle not because the audience wasn’t there, but because the infrastructure and advocacy weren’t,” Maurice said. “Ark is about changing that. We want to combine commercial discipline with purpose, finding stories that can perform in the marketplace while giving audiences something meaningful to carry with them after the credits.”

According to Maurice, the company won’t only work in faith-based film and TV but will work on stories “rooted in redemption, resilience, family, forgiveness, purpose and hope stories designed to connect with audiences grounded in Kingdom values.”

Chaney serves as Co-Founder and Head of Strategic Partnerships at Ark Clb. He has previously worked at Salesforce, BetterUp and Thrive Global before transitioning into full-time ministry in Atlanta, Georgia.

He explained about the company: “In today’s information age, families in the faith community are increasingly intentional about what they allow into their homes. Finding entertainment that is both compelling and appropriate for the entire family has become more difficult than ever. But people shouldn’t have to choose between exceptional storytelling and values they can trust. At Ark Clb, we’re committed to filling that void by offering premium entertainment that is inspiring, culturally relevant, and appropriate for the entire family.”

Maurice added: “The most valuable asset I’ve built isn’t a catalog of films or licensing deals, it’s trust. Trust from filmmakers who believed I’d fight for their stories. Trust from buyers who knew I’d bring them quality content. Ark Clb exists to protect that trust every day. Integrity isn’t just good ethics, it’s good business, and it’s the foundation for every relationship we build.”