TALOS FILMS’ principals are Julian P. Hobbs and Elli Hakami. Together they have a proven track record of directing and producing critically acclaimed, break out limited series that reveal the unknown stories behind the headlines. This includes House of Hammer for Warner Bros. Discovery. Discovery which was nominated for a Critic’s Choice Award with the Chicago Sun Times stating: “Directors Elli Hakami and Julian P. Hobbs are to be commended for handling this deeply troubling material in journalistically solid and sensitive fashion…”READ MORE>
Talos also produced How to Create a Sex Scandal for Warner Bros. Discovery which coincided with the launch of MAX. A co-production with Texas Monthly which Hobbs directed and Hakami developed and executive produced. This limited series uncovered a mischarge of justice in a small East Texas town, fermented by implanted memories, a corrupt justice system, a complicit community and a most unlikely perpetrator. The film received rave reviews, with the Daily Beast commenting “a jaw-dropping account of insane accusations, rigged prosecutions, and unjust outcomes—not to mention immoral child abuse, albeit not the kind that’s initially alleged.” The Decider observed: “How to Create a Sex Scandal turns the tables of what a true crime documentary is…”
In addition, Talos Films also launched the breakout hit mini-series Queen of Meth (Discovery+), the feature documentary Red Elvis: The Cold War Cowboy (SKY/Curiosity Stream), Torn Apart: Separated At The Border, a documentary directed by Academy Award-winner Ellen Goosenberg Kent made for HBO, Rebuilding Hope: The Children of 9/11 (Magnolia/Discovery+), and the award-winning, critically acclaimed mini-series America’s War On Drugs (History Channel).
Prior to Talos, Hobbs served as the Vice President of Scripted and Unscripted Programming at History Channel. During his tenure, he produced multiple feature documentaries including Werner Herzog’s Cave of Forgotten Dreams, the Oscar nominated film Encounters at the End of the World, Errol Morris’ Emmy nominated film The Unknown Known and Barbara Kopple’s Emmy nominated film Woodstock: Now and Then. Hobbs also executive produced several limited series including: the Emmy winning Outstanding Non-Fiction Special Gettysburg with Tony and Ridley Scott and America: The Story of US with Nutopia. On the scripted side, Hobbs launched The Bible with Mark Burnett and Roma Downey as well as the breakout drama Vikings.
Prior to Talos, Elli Hakami headed up MTV’s East Coast Production and Development team where she oversaw Catfish and The Challenge. Hakami also ran the unscripted unit for BBC Worldwide Production in LA. During this time, she created and produced a wide range of projects including: HBO’s feature documentary Americans in Bed, and National Geographic’s Emmy Award-Winning Life Below Zero. Hakami also served as the Head of Development for Discovery Channel where she oversaw the development of long running franchises Gold Rush and Dual Survivor.
Bio • Julian P. Hobbs
Julian P. Hobbs served as a VP and EP at History Channel where he served as the Executive Producer for feature documentaries, including: Werner Herzog’s Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Errol Morris’ Emmy nominated The Unknown Known, and Barbara Kopple’s Emmy nominated Woodstock: Now and Then. Hobbs also Executive Produced the Emmy Winning Outstanding Non-Fiction Special Gettysburg with Tony and Ridley Scott, as well as America: The Story of US, and Mankind. While heading up scripted development and production at History Channel, Hobbs launched The Bible with Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, the breakout drama Vikings, and Gangland Undercover.READ MORE>
Bio • Elli Hakami
Elli Hakami headed up MTV’s East Coast Production and Development team and the unscripted unit for BBC Worldwide Production in LA. During this time, she created and produced a wide range of projects including: HBO’s feature documentary, Americans in Bed, and National Geographic’s Emmy Award-Winning Life Below Zero.READ MORE>
During her tenure, Hakami developed and executive produced a dynamic slate of successful on-air series and specials including: What Not to Wear (TLC), Richard Hammond’s Crash Course(BBC America), Gold Rush: Alaska(Discovery), and Dual Survivor(Discovery). Elli also received commissions from a wide range of networks including Bravo, CW, Lifetime, TNT, A&E, History Channel, and Discovery Channel.