Justin Trudeau launches film and TV production company Hope and Hard Work

Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his longtime chief of staff, Katie Telford, are translating political branding into a global entertainment play with the launch of their new media and entertainment production company, Hope & Hard Work. Unveiled at the Toronto International Film Festival, the banner enters the market with an initial slate spanning scripted series, feature films, unscripted documentaries, audio projects, and live experiences designed for international export.

The venture draws its name from a phrase heavily used by Trudeau and the Liberal Party across his nine-year tenure as prime minister, which concluded in January 2025. Co-founders Trudeau and Telford framed the company as an apolitical vehicle intended to foster empathy and bridge cultural divides, even as the enterprise carries the unmistakable imprint of past political messaging. According to a joint statement reported by outlets including Cbc News, the founders stated that at a time when the world can feel increasingly divided, they believe in the power of great storytelling to bring people closer, aiming to bring values such as kindness, optimism, and openness to their productions.

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Following their debut, the company's executive leadership and representation are already taking shape. Hope & Hard Work and its principals are represented by 3 Arts Entertainment. Furthermore, the firm has forged a strategic unscripted partnership with Earth Tones, a media company headed by Aliya Jasmine and Aliza Sovani, which will spearhead the banner's documentary and docuseries divisions, as detailed by Yahoo Canada.

From the Prime Minister's Office to the Screen

The transition places Trudeau and Telford into a growing lineage of political figures entering the entertainment industry. The move mirrors the trajectory of former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, who launched Higher Ground Productions in 2018, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who founded Archewell Productions after stepping back from royal duties, according to CBC and Indicator.

Since leaving public office, Trudeau's post-political life has drawn substantial media attention, including speeches at the World Economic Forum in Davos and his relationship with American pop star Katy Perry, whose tour and documentary projects have run concurrently with the launch of Hope & Hard Work, as reported by CBC and Castanet.

Granular Development Roster and Literary Adaptations

While mainstream coverage from Castanet and CBC focused primarily on the political transition and high-profile personal ties, industry reporting from Exclaim and Yahoo Canada outlined a robust initial development slate comprising at least five distinct projects. Four of these properties are screen adaptations of established books, spanning Newfoundland-set fiction, mystery novels, workplace thrillers, and political nonfiction.

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Strategic Partnerships and Unscripted Ambitions

Beyond its scripted adaptation slate, Hope & Hard Work has positioned itself for rapid expansion across documentary and non-fiction formats. According to reporting from Yahoo Canada, the firm established a strategic unscripted partnership with Earth Tones, a media company headed by Aliya Jasmine and Aliza Sovani. Under this arrangement, Jasmine and Sovani will spearhead the banner's documentary and docuseries divisions, steering unscripted projects tailored for both domestic and international markets. This division complements the founders' broader mandate to produce content across film, television, audio projects, and live experiences.

The company's operational framework also relies on established industry representation. As detailed by Yahoo Canada, Hope & Hard Work and its principals are represented by 3 Arts Entertainment. This alignment places the new Canadian banner within a prominent Hollywood agency network as it seeks global distribution for its initial properties. Meanwhile, co-founder Katie Telford's transition from the Prime Minister's Office to the executive suite mirrors the enduring professional partnership she shared with Trudeau throughout his nine-year tenure leading the Liberal Party, which concluded when he stepped down from office in January 2025.

Broader Context and Public Reception

The timing of the launch at the Toronto International Film Festival coincided with heightened public and media scrutiny surrounding Justin Trudeau's post-political life, which has frequently intersected with the entertainment sphere. According to CBC News and Castanet, Trudeau's relationship with American pop star Katy Perry has drawn substantial attention, running concurrently with promotional events for the singer's concert documentary, Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour — Live from Paris, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival as reported by Yahoo Canada. Perry recounted feeling intense energy and nervousness when Trudeau attended her show in Montreal, noting that her forthcoming documentary captures that period of her career. Indicator further notes that Trudeau's post-political appearances have included a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, following his resignation.

Industry watchers are now tracking whether these early development projects — optioned from authors including Perry Chafe, Uzma Jalaluddin, Leesa Ronald, and Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks, will successfully secure global distribution through their 3 Arts Entertainment representation and international partnerships.