ZDF Studios to Handle International Distribution of “Silent War: In the Shadow of Atomic Bombs”
Mainz, December 16th, 2025
ZDF Studios is proud to announce that it has secured the international distribution rights for the two-part documentary series Silent War: In the Shadow of Atomic Bombs, produced by OutreMer Film for ZDF and ZDF Studios. This timely and thought-provoking series examines the enduring impact of nuclear weapons—from the first atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the renewed fears of nuclear escalation in today’s geopolitical climate.
Eighty years after the dawn of the nuclear age, the specter of atomic warfare looms large once again. Against the backdrop of current global tensions, Silent War: In the Shadow of Atomic Bombs takes viewers on a journey through history, exploring the Cold War’s nuclear brinkmanship and the devastating legacy of more than 2,000 nuclear tests worldwide.
Featuring exclusive archival footage and commentaries from internationally renowned nuclear experts, the series combines rigorous historical analysis with deeply personal testimonies from victims of nuclear testing and atomic bombings in the United States, the former Soviet Union, Japan, and the Pacific. From the Marshall Islands to Kazakhstan, Nevada, and beyond, the documentary reveals the human and environmental toll of nuclear weapons—a story of power, secrecy, and survival that continues to resonate today.
Nikolas Huelbusch, Director Unscripted at ZDF Studios, said: “This documentary is more than a historical account—it’s a wake-up call. Silent War: In the Shadow of Atomic Bombs reminds us that the nuclear threat is not just a relic of the past but a pressing issue today. We are proud to bring this powerful and timely series to audiences worldwide.”
Dirk van den Berg, CEO of OutreMer Film added: “With my co-director Pascal Verroust our goal was to retell the history of nuclear weapons from the ground up—through the voices of those who lived in the shadow of the bomb. By combining exclusive archival material with personal narratives, we hope to spark a global conversation about responsibility, memory, and the future of nuclear security.”
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About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, D-55127 Mainz/Germany, Tel.: +49 6131-9911130, E-mail: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com