ABOUT US
At Ascendant Fox we aim to create an environment on and off set, that allows our cast and crew to flourish.
TEAM
Hester Ruoff
Hester Ruoff is a BAFTA and BIFA nominated producer who founded Ascendant Fox with Bart Ruspoli in 2021. Prior to Ascendant Fox, Ruoff has been involved in a number of projects. She was Lead Producer for the BAFTA-winning film “Convenience,” and produced thought-provoking short film “Gerry,” which earned numerous festival awards and secured a place on the BAFTA long-list in 2018. In 2019 Hester embarked on the production of “Spanish Pigeon” collaborating with director Philip Barantini for the first time, which was followed by the 2020 action crime drama Villain. In 2021 “Boiling Point” released to worldwide acclaim, earning numerous nominations and awards from the BAFTAs and BIFAs among other internationally renowned film festivals.
Bart Ruspoli
Bart Ruspoli is a BAFTA and BIFA nominated producer who founded Ascendant Fox with Hester Ruoff in 2021. With a keen eye for captivating storytelling, Bart has produced gripping films that have resonated with audiences worldwide, playing an integral role in bringing a plethora of diverse narratives to screen, such as the suspenseful thriller “Cryptic” and the gripping crime drama “Villain.” Bart’s skill in bringing together talented individuals, from actors to directors and beyond, has resulted in projects that resonate with audiences on a profound level, with the critically acclaimed “Boiling Point” earning numerous accolades and nominations, including BAFTA and BIFA recognition.
Hannah Perks – Head of Development
Hannah previously worked at Netflix as the Head of Film Acquisitions and Co-productions for the UK and EMEA. While at Netflix, Hannah commissioned hits such as Bank of Dave and Inside Man, the latter was a co-commission and co-production with the BBC, as well as acquiring the breakout hit film Boiling Point. She has over a decade’s experience in the film and television industry and previously held positions at Lionsgate, Channel4 and Aardman Animations.
Matt Mitchell – Acting Head of Development
Matt is a seasoned development executive with over a decade of experience across three continents, specialising in international originals that resonate locally while making a global impact. As a former development executive at Amazon MGM Studios, he played a key role in shaping the studio’s international originals slate with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region, greenlighting and overseeing high-profile drama, comedy, and film projects. Prior to that he held development roles at Disney, Muse Entertainment (The Kennedys), and Proper Television/Boat Rocker Media (MasterChef Canada, Orphan Black), working across scripted, film, and factual programming. He holds an MFA from USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program and a BFA from Toronto Metropolitan University. Matt is passionate about championing bold new voices that challenge the status quo, creating culturally specific stories with universal appeal for a global audience.
Lara Foster – Production & Development Coordinator
Lara Foster is a Production & Development Coordinator with a background in scripted comedy and drama. Prior to joining Ascendant Fox, she was Assistant to Executive Producers at King Bert Productions, working on projects for Sky and the BBC. She brings extensive experience across content development, script editing, production scheduling, and post-production for high-end television and feature films. She has also produced digital content for CBBC. Lara holds a degree in English Literature from King’s College London. Passionate about storytelling, she thrives on collaborating with both emerging and established talent to bring compelling narratives to life.