Independent communications group Bastion Collective has announced its has acquired Bengar Films, a multi award-winning creative production agency based in Melbourne.

The acquisition will enable Bastion Collective to merge the significant expertise of Bengar Films with its existing Sydney-based content production business Bastion Stadium, which will rebrand to Bastion Films as part of the integration.

Bengar Films will continue to operate under its existing brand for the immediate future and will draw on the expanding offering of Bastion Collective and its specialist businesses.

With a strong presence and client base in Sydney, Bastion Films has been actively looking to establish a greater presence in Melbourne to best service the requirements of Bastion Collective’s broader client list.

The announcement comes just weeks after Bastion Collective revealed it had acquired a majority stake in Aussie independent creative agency Banjo.

Bengar Films was founded in 2006 by creative director Ben Gartland (pictured above, right), who is an award- winning writer and director of commercials, branded content and entertainment.

The agency’s content clients include The Australian Ballet, Australia Post, ANZ, Ferrari, Samsung, VicRoads, Telstra, Transurban and RACV.

It also produces The Intolerant Cooks, a television program in its fourth season with the Seven Network, sponsored by FMCG brands such as Sanitarium, Barilla, Sirena and Sunbeam.

The combined offering of Bengar Films and Bastion Films brings together a highly credentialed team of senior creatives lead by Gartland and Bastion Film’s executive creative director, Rob Rosenberg.

Bastion Collective Australia CEO Jack Watts said he is excited about the future working with Bengar Films.

“We have been searching for the right business in Melbourne to compliment and grow our content and production offering, and we are thrilled to have Ben, co-director Catherine Gunn (pictured above, left) and the whole Bengar team as our latest addition to the Collective,” he said.

“Their portfolio of work along with their client base, culture and creative approach are hugely impressive, and we know they will make a big impact across our business.

Gartland said: “At Bengar, we set out to create a content agency to connect with people in a more genuine and authentic way.

“Whether through a television series, ad campaign, or a digital content installation, we are about helping audiences to feel a part of something more. It’s about having deeper conversations with people and not just getting eyeballs.

“Bengar has been built upon direct relationships, knowing our clients better and really understanding their business challenges.

“Together with the specialist teams at Bastion Collective, we now have the opportunity to reach out even further, with more weight to our work. We’d love to make things bigger for all of our clients.

“And with the advertising terrain and ways of engaging audiences constantly evolving, we see it as a well-timed response to change.”