Exclusive: It was more than a year ago that a 45-year-old British woman, Nicola Bulley, went missing walking her dog in the sleepy northern English town of St Michael’s on Wyre.
What followed was three weeks of frenzy, one of the country’s most publicized, televised searches for a missing person in recent years that ended in tragedy when Bulley’s body was discovered on February 19. A few months later, a coroner determined that Bulley’s death was due to accidental drowning.
For Kate Beal, CEO of Confessions of a Psycho Killer indie Woodcut Media and founder of the UK’s nascent Association of True Crime Producers (Atcp), who was a similar age to Bulley and is also a mother, that three-week period and the media scrum that accompanied it did not sit comfortably, and she set about mulling over how the true crime TV community could ensure there was not a repeat.
What followed was three weeks of frenzy, one of the country’s most publicized, televised searches for a missing person in recent years that ended in tragedy when Bulley’s body was discovered on February 19. A few months later, a coroner determined that Bulley’s death was due to accidental drowning.
For Kate Beal, CEO of Confessions of a Psycho Killer indie Woodcut Media and founder of the UK’s nascent Association of True Crime Producers (Atcp), who was a similar age to Bulley and is also a mother, that three-week period and the media scrum that accompanied it did not sit comfortably, and she set about mulling over how the true crime TV community could ensure there was not a repeat.
- 5/2/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
You don’t need a Netflix subscription to watch the streamer’s latest crop of original documentaries. Five short docs led by U.K. and Ireland-based filmmakers have premiered on Netflix’s Still Watching YouTube channel.
The five films all received support from Netflix’s Documentary Talent Fund, which is currently in its second year. The members of the current cohort each received £30,000 to support projects that have a shared theme of “connection.” The films arrived on YouTube after premiering at London’s Ham Yard Hotel on January 31.
A news update from Netflix explained that the streamer launched the Documentary Talent Fund to “break down barriers of access for emerging filmmakers.” As you might guess based on that description, the five docs distributed on the Still Watching hub come from a diverse group of directors. There’s Sperm Donors Wanted, a live stage show featuring a transgender performance and hundreds...
The five films all received support from Netflix’s Documentary Talent Fund, which is currently in its second year. The members of the current cohort each received £30,000 to support projects that have a shared theme of “connection.” The films arrived on YouTube after premiering at London’s Ham Yard Hotel on January 31.
A news update from Netflix explained that the streamer launched the Documentary Talent Fund to “break down barriers of access for emerging filmmakers.” As you might guess based on that description, the five docs distributed on the Still Watching hub come from a diverse group of directors. There’s Sperm Donors Wanted, a live stage show featuring a transgender performance and hundreds...
- 2/2/2024
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Netflix has launched five new short documentaries from the recipients of their Documentary Talent Fund. They’re available now on Youtube.
If you were wondering how British documentaries are doing, they’re flourishing. Netflix has just announced that five short documentaries, created by the recipients of their Documentary Talent Fund, are available on their Still Watching Youtube channel now.
The subjects of these challenging, ambitious documentaries range from deaf DJs to an Irish mother travelling to the war-torn Ukraine. What connects these five extraordinary documentaries is the theme of ‘connection’.
Here’s the full list of the documentaries and the filmmakers:
Anna Snowball & Abolfazl Talooni – Iranian Yellow Pages, Trying to make his new life in London a success, Reza places an advert in an eccentric newspaper and discovers the Iranian community hidden in plain sight.
Anna Rodgers & Zlata Filipovic – Two Mothers, An unusual bond compels an Irish mother to travel...
If you were wondering how British documentaries are doing, they’re flourishing. Netflix has just announced that five short documentaries, created by the recipients of their Documentary Talent Fund, are available on their Still Watching Youtube channel now.
The subjects of these challenging, ambitious documentaries range from deaf DJs to an Irish mother travelling to the war-torn Ukraine. What connects these five extraordinary documentaries is the theme of ‘connection’.
Here’s the full list of the documentaries and the filmmakers:
Anna Snowball & Abolfazl Talooni – Iranian Yellow Pages, Trying to make his new life in London a success, Reza places an advert in an eccentric newspaper and discovers the Iranian community hidden in plain sight.
Anna Rodgers & Zlata Filipovic – Two Mothers, An unusual bond compels an Irish mother to travel...
- 2/1/2024
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Projects about a renowned deaf DJ and why Black people struggle with swimming comprise some of the latest winners of Netflix UK’s Documentary Talent Fund.
The winning docs received £30,000 each and are focused on the theme of “connection.” They were showcased at a premiere event at London’s Ham Yard Hotel last night and are now available to watch via Netflix’s 6.3 million-subscriber YouTube Channel Still Watching.
The projects, which can be seen below in full, include a story about deaf DJ Troi Lee, titled Turn Up The Bass, created by a mostly deaf crew, to a film exploring why such a high number of Black people in the UK can’t or don’t swim. Other projects include Iranian Yellow Pages about a man trying to make a new life in London who places an advert in an eccentric newspaper and discovers the Iranian community hidden in plain sight.
The winning docs received £30,000 each and are focused on the theme of “connection.” They were showcased at a premiere event at London’s Ham Yard Hotel last night and are now available to watch via Netflix’s 6.3 million-subscriber YouTube Channel Still Watching.
The projects, which can be seen below in full, include a story about deaf DJ Troi Lee, titled Turn Up The Bass, created by a mostly deaf crew, to a film exploring why such a high number of Black people in the UK can’t or don’t swim. Other projects include Iranian Yellow Pages about a man trying to make a new life in London who places an advert in an eccentric newspaper and discovers the Iranian community hidden in plain sight.
- 2/1/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
From a documentary about a deaf DJ created by a mostly deaf crew and a film exploring the fact that 87 percent of Black people in the U.K. can’t swim to a doc about sperm donors, Netflix has launched five short documentaries created by the recipients of funding and professional support in the second year of its Documentary Talent Fund in the U.K. and Ireland.
The filmmakers received 30,000 pounds ($38,000) to create a short film on the theme of “connection.” Their films were showcased at an event at London’s Ham Yard Hotel on Wednesday night and are now available via Netflix’s YouTube Channel “Still Watching.”
The Netflix Documentary Talent Fund was created in 2020 “to break down barriers of access for emerging filmmakers,” the global streamer highlighted.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with such talented filmmakers and watch each team’s ideas blossom into fully formed documentaries,...
The filmmakers received 30,000 pounds ($38,000) to create a short film on the theme of “connection.” Their films were showcased at an event at London’s Ham Yard Hotel on Wednesday night and are now available via Netflix’s YouTube Channel “Still Watching.”
The Netflix Documentary Talent Fund was created in 2020 “to break down barriers of access for emerging filmmakers,” the global streamer highlighted.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with such talented filmmakers and watch each team’s ideas blossom into fully formed documentaries,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix is getting in on Oppenheimer fever by ordering a doc about Albert Einstein’s complex relationship with Hitler, Germany and the devastating aftermath of the atomic bomb in Japan.
Einstein and the Bomb will mix Archie with dramatization and explore key moments in science genius Einstein’s let, and how his work change history’s course. Everything he says in the film is taken from words he said or wrote.
BBC Studios is producing, with James Van Der Pool and Andrew Cohen the EPs and Anthony Philipson the director.
Also new is the John Boyega-narrated World War II: From the Frontlines is billed as a “moving and innovative six-part documentary series” that uses restored, “spectacular and rare WW2 footage, much of it shot by the soldiers themselves,” to create an immersive cinematic experience.
The 72 Films series will launch later this year. 72 bosses David Glover and Mark Raphael are...
Einstein and the Bomb will mix Archie with dramatization and explore key moments in science genius Einstein’s let, and how his work change history’s course. Everything he says in the film is taken from words he said or wrote.
BBC Studios is producing, with James Van Der Pool and Andrew Cohen the EPs and Anthony Philipson the director.
Also new is the John Boyega-narrated World War II: From the Frontlines is billed as a “moving and innovative six-part documentary series” that uses restored, “spectacular and rare WW2 footage, much of it shot by the soldiers themselves,” to create an immersive cinematic experience.
The 72 Films series will launch later this year. 72 bosses David Glover and Mark Raphael are...
- 8/23/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix on Tuesday unveiled five filmmaking teams who will receive funding and professional support to make short documentaries on the theme of “Connection” in the second year of the global streamer’s U.K. Documentary Talent Fund.
The winners were selected from thousands of applications, with a shortlist of 12 teams invited to Netflix’s U.K. headquarters to pitch their projects in front of a panel of industry experts.
The five projects and filmmaking teams selected are:
Anna Snowball & Abolfazl Talooni – Iranian Yellow Pages.
Iranians in London, trapped between two cultures, search for connection by placing weird and wonderful adverts in the Iranian Yellow Pages.
Anna Rodgers & Zlata Filipovic – Two Mothers.
An unusual bond compels an Irish mother of twins to travel to war-torn Ukraine in order to rescue the woman who carried her babies.
Caroline Williamson & Troi Lee – Turn up the Bass.
This is the remarkable story of Troi...
The winners were selected from thousands of applications, with a shortlist of 12 teams invited to Netflix’s U.K. headquarters to pitch their projects in front of a panel of industry experts.
The five projects and filmmaking teams selected are:
Anna Snowball & Abolfazl Talooni – Iranian Yellow Pages.
Iranians in London, trapped between two cultures, search for connection by placing weird and wonderful adverts in the Iranian Yellow Pages.
Anna Rodgers & Zlata Filipovic – Two Mothers.
An unusual bond compels an Irish mother of twins to travel to war-torn Ukraine in order to rescue the woman who carried her babies.
Caroline Williamson & Troi Lee – Turn up the Bass.
This is the remarkable story of Troi...
- 6/13/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The exits of film executives Lisa Nishimura and Ian Bricke from Netflix late on March 30 shocked the documentary and indie film world. Not only were they Netflix stalwarts — Nishimura joined in 2007, when it was a DVD business, and Bricke joined in 2011 — but also for how admired and how defining of a voice they’ve been at Netflix in the last decade.
“Both of them are the foundation of the kind of programming that is both commercial and also tasteful, and not just pure fodder for the masses,” one documentary producer who asked not to be named told IndieWire. “Lisa and Ian were the foundational DNA of Netflix as a company.”
IndieWire spoke to multiple sources who worked with Nishimura and Bricke and they all offered variations on the same theme: They’re great people with great taste who have done great work, and they’re shocked by the departures.
In a statement,...
“Both of them are the foundation of the kind of programming that is both commercial and also tasteful, and not just pure fodder for the masses,” one documentary producer who asked not to be named told IndieWire. “Lisa and Ian were the foundational DNA of Netflix as a company.”
IndieWire spoke to multiple sources who worked with Nishimura and Bricke and they all offered variations on the same theme: They’re great people with great taste who have done great work, and they’re shocked by the departures.
In a statement,...
- 3/31/2023
- by Brian Welk and Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
“We’ve got a massive variety of a global audience – it wouldn’t make sense to cookie-cut.”
“Cookie-cut” true crime documentaries don’t “make sense” for the global audience, according to Kate Townsend, original documentary vice president at Netflix.
Speaking at a Cph:Dox panel titled ‘Space For Variety’ on March 21, Townsend pushed back against a perception that Netflix prioritises the true crime genre in its non-fiction programming.
“Everyone here, we’re aware we’ve got positions of responsibility,” said Townsend of the panel, which also included Emma Hindley, lead commissioner at BBC Storyville; Hanka Kastelicova, vice president and executive producer of documentaries at HBO,...
“Cookie-cut” true crime documentaries don’t “make sense” for the global audience, according to Kate Townsend, original documentary vice president at Netflix.
Speaking at a Cph:Dox panel titled ‘Space For Variety’ on March 21, Townsend pushed back against a perception that Netflix prioritises the true crime genre in its non-fiction programming.
“Everyone here, we’re aware we’ve got positions of responsibility,” said Townsend of the panel, which also included Emma Hindley, lead commissioner at BBC Storyville; Hanka Kastelicova, vice president and executive producer of documentaries at HBO,...
- 3/22/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Discovery+ Goes Free On Sky
Discovery+ is to become available on Sky for free in the UK and Ireland. The Warner Bros. Discovery streamer, which was initially £6.99 (8.50) a month, will be integrated within a subscription – a move that solidifies Sky’s position as the major UK aggregator of U.S. streaming content. Sky TV customers with a discovery+ Entertainment pass will be automatically upgraded to the Entertainment and Sport service for free, giving them access to the likes of Australia Open tennis, the Tour de France and entertainment shows such as Peter Crouch: Save Our Beautiful Game and Beauty and the Geek. Sky TV Managing Director Elizabeth Wynn said “value is incredibly important right now,” coming as the UK enters recession and people shed costly TV subscriptions. In the UK, Sky now offers up packages featuring Netflix and Comcast streamer Peacock, as well as discovery+. The newly-combined HBO Max Discovery...
Discovery+ is to become available on Sky for free in the UK and Ireland. The Warner Bros. Discovery streamer, which was initially £6.99 (8.50) a month, will be integrated within a subscription – a move that solidifies Sky’s position as the major UK aggregator of U.S. streaming content. Sky TV customers with a discovery+ Entertainment pass will be automatically upgraded to the Entertainment and Sport service for free, giving them access to the likes of Australia Open tennis, the Tour de France and entertainment shows such as Peter Crouch: Save Our Beautiful Game and Beauty and the Geek. Sky TV Managing Director Elizabeth Wynn said “value is incredibly important right now,” coming as the UK enters recession and people shed costly TV subscriptions. In the UK, Sky now offers up packages featuring Netflix and Comcast streamer Peacock, as well as discovery+. The newly-combined HBO Max Discovery...
- 1/16/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has launched its second documentary talent fund for emerging filmmakers in the U.K. – and this year the streamer is extending applications to Ireland.
The fund will again be produced by Elisabeth Hopper with support from supervising producer Georgie Yukiko and assistant producer Daisy Ifama.
Open to everyone – even those with no experience – the fund provides filmmakers with a budget of £30,000 as well as guidance from Netflix executives and other industry professionals to enable them to make a documentary short. Among the support offered by Netflix is a series of production workshops covering legal, creative, Hr and finance, among other things.
The theme for this year’s documentaries is “connection.”
The chosen applicants will present their final documentaries at a showcase in early 2024. Applicants must be a resident of the U.K. or Ireland.
Each filmmaker will come away with an 8-10 minute documentary that will be pushed on Netflix U.
The fund will again be produced by Elisabeth Hopper with support from supervising producer Georgie Yukiko and assistant producer Daisy Ifama.
Open to everyone – even those with no experience – the fund provides filmmakers with a budget of £30,000 as well as guidance from Netflix executives and other industry professionals to enable them to make a documentary short. Among the support offered by Netflix is a series of production workshops covering legal, creative, Hr and finance, among other things.
The theme for this year’s documentaries is “connection.”
The chosen applicants will present their final documentaries at a showcase in early 2024. Applicants must be a resident of the U.K. or Ireland.
Each filmmaker will come away with an 8-10 minute documentary that will be pushed on Netflix U.
- 1/16/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Some of the U.K.’s biggest TV and streaming stars are set to appear at the 2022 Edinburgh TV Festival. Among those who will be present at the in-person event in Edinburgh are “Succession” patriarch Brian Cox, “Heartstopper” star Kit Connor and “Strictly Come Dancing’s” Rose Ayling-Ellis, who will give this year’s Alternative Mactaggart speech.
Actor Ayling-Ellis, who was “Strictly’s” first deaf contestant and is a British Sign Language (Bsl) campaigner, is set to discuss her experiences in the industry in what is sure to be a no-holds barred speech that follows on from last year’s Alternative Mactaggart lecture by “His Dark Materials” writer and disability campaigner Jack Thorne.
Cox will appear in conversation to discuss his career, his scene-stealing role as Logan Roy and his working-class Scottish roots while the cast and creative team from Netflix hit “Heartstopper” will also be on hand to discuss the coming-of-age romantic drama,...
Actor Ayling-Ellis, who was “Strictly’s” first deaf contestant and is a British Sign Language (Bsl) campaigner, is set to discuss her experiences in the industry in what is sure to be a no-holds barred speech that follows on from last year’s Alternative Mactaggart lecture by “His Dark Materials” writer and disability campaigner Jack Thorne.
Cox will appear in conversation to discuss his career, his scene-stealing role as Logan Roy and his working-class Scottish roots while the cast and creative team from Netflix hit “Heartstopper” will also be on hand to discuss the coming-of-age romantic drama,...
- 6/8/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Richard Armitage, Charlie Murphy to star in Gaumount, Moonage Pictures series.
Netflix UK executives Anne Mensah, Fiona Lamptey and Kate Townsend discussed the studio’s upcoming slate in London on Thursday (March 17), as the company launched new erotic thriller series Damage.
The three-part series is led by The Hobbit star Richard Armitage and Peaky Blinders’ Charlie Murphy. It is produced by France’s Gaumont and the UK’s Moonage Pictures.
Adapted from a novella by Josephine Hart, Damage centres on a love triangle between an enigmatic woman (Murphy) who embarks on a passionate affair with her fiancé’s father (Armitage...
Netflix UK executives Anne Mensah, Fiona Lamptey and Kate Townsend discussed the studio’s upcoming slate in London on Thursday (March 17), as the company launched new erotic thriller series Damage.
The three-part series is led by The Hobbit star Richard Armitage and Peaky Blinders’ Charlie Murphy. It is produced by France’s Gaumont and the UK’s Moonage Pictures.
Adapted from a novella by Josephine Hart, Damage centres on a love triangle between an enigmatic woman (Murphy) who embarks on a passionate affair with her fiancé’s father (Armitage...
- 3/17/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Head of industry Adriek van Nieuwenhuijzen says doc sector is bouncing back.
Bettina Perut and Iván Osnovikoff,’s Chilean project La Casa has won the best pitch award at the IDFA Forum at International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) this week. The project takes place in Chile during the pandemic lockdown and numbers among its producers Maite Alberdi, an Oscar nominee as a director last year for The Mole Agent.
Anna Shishova-Bogolubova’s The New Greatness picked up the IDFA Forum award for best rough cut. The film is about a Russian teenager whose life is turned upside down when she...
Bettina Perut and Iván Osnovikoff,’s Chilean project La Casa has won the best pitch award at the IDFA Forum at International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) this week. The project takes place in Chile during the pandemic lockdown and numbers among its producers Maite Alberdi, an Oscar nominee as a director last year for The Mole Agent.
Anna Shishova-Bogolubova’s The New Greatness picked up the IDFA Forum award for best rough cut. The film is about a Russian teenager whose life is turned upside down when she...
- 11/25/2021
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Netflix is ramping up its documentary series team in the UK with a pair of key hires.
Adam Hawkins will join the streamer later this year from Raw, where he was U.S. Creative Director and had credits including Don’t F**k with Cats and Three Identical Strangers. At Netflix he will lead the documentary series team in the UK, reporting to LA-based Director of Documentary Series, Gabe Spitzer.
Also joining the company is Nelesh Dhand as Manager, Documentary Series. He arrives from Pulse films where he worked on projects including Dead Asleep and Hair Power: Me and My Afro.
The pair join a doc series team that already includes Benedict Kelly, Manager Unscripted Series and Daisy Lilley, Manager Unscripted Series.
Also based in London but on doc features are: Kate Townsend, Vice President, Documentary Features, Jonny Taylor, Director Documentary Features, Reva Sharma, Manager Documentary Features and Zainab Ali Khan,...
Adam Hawkins will join the streamer later this year from Raw, where he was U.S. Creative Director and had credits including Don’t F**k with Cats and Three Identical Strangers. At Netflix he will lead the documentary series team in the UK, reporting to LA-based Director of Documentary Series, Gabe Spitzer.
Also joining the company is Nelesh Dhand as Manager, Documentary Series. He arrives from Pulse films where he worked on projects including Dead Asleep and Hair Power: Me and My Afro.
The pair join a doc series team that already includes Benedict Kelly, Manager Unscripted Series and Daisy Lilley, Manager Unscripted Series.
Also based in London but on doc features are: Kate Townsend, Vice President, Documentary Features, Jonny Taylor, Director Documentary Features, Reva Sharma, Manager Documentary Features and Zainab Ali Khan,...
- 9/27/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Each filmmaking team will receive up to £40,000.
Netflix has selected the first recipients of its £400,000 Documentary Talent Fund, with 10 filmmaking teams from across the UK including Northern Ireland and Scotland.
A shortlist of 21 filmmaking teams were invited to pitch to Netflix on May 21. The winning teams were selected by an eight-person team of industry professionals, including Dick Johnson Is Dead director Kirsten Johnson; Shanida Scotland, head of film at Doc Society; and Kate Townsend, director of original documentaries commissioning at Netflix.
Each of the 10 teams will receive up to £40,000 in financing to create their own documentary short film between eight and 12 minutes long,...
Netflix has selected the first recipients of its £400,000 Documentary Talent Fund, with 10 filmmaking teams from across the UK including Northern Ireland and Scotland.
A shortlist of 21 filmmaking teams were invited to pitch to Netflix on May 21. The winning teams were selected by an eight-person team of industry professionals, including Dick Johnson Is Dead director Kirsten Johnson; Shanida Scotland, head of film at Doc Society; and Kate Townsend, director of original documentaries commissioning at Netflix.
Each of the 10 teams will receive up to £40,000 in financing to create their own documentary short film between eight and 12 minutes long,...
- 5/26/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Each filmmaking team will receive up to £40,000.
Netflix has selected the first recipients of its £400,000 Documentary Talent Fund, with 10 filmmaking teams from across the UK including Northern Ireland and Scotland.
A shortlist of 21 filmmaking teams were invited to pitch to Netflix on May 21. The winning teams were selected by an eight-person team of industry professionals, including Dick Johnson Is Dead director Kirsten Johnson; Shanida Scotland, head of film at Doc Society; and Kate Townsend, director of original documentaries commissioning at Netflix.
Each of the 10 teams will receive up to £40,000 in financing to create their own documentary short film between eight and 12 minutes long,...
Netflix has selected the first recipients of its £400,000 Documentary Talent Fund, with 10 filmmaking teams from across the UK including Northern Ireland and Scotland.
A shortlist of 21 filmmaking teams were invited to pitch to Netflix on May 21. The winning teams were selected by an eight-person team of industry professionals, including Dick Johnson Is Dead director Kirsten Johnson; Shanida Scotland, head of film at Doc Society; and Kate Townsend, director of original documentaries commissioning at Netflix.
Each of the 10 teams will receive up to £40,000 in financing to create their own documentary short film between eight and 12 minutes long,...
- 5/26/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Mandy Chang, the head of BBC documentary strand Storyville, is stepping down after four years in the role to join super-indie Fremantle as global head of factual.
Chang, whose role was officially commissioning editor of Storyville and acquisitions, will stay in the post until August, though recruitment for the role will begin in due course. The former Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) arts boss boarded the Beeb in 2017, taking over for Kate Townsend, who left the public broadcaster to join Netflix’s documentary team.
At Fremantle, Chang will oversee the strategy and creation of Fremantle’s new factual arm, reporting into group COO Andrea Scrosati. The super-indie has been investing heavily in unscripted in recent years, launching shows such as Samuel L. Jackson’s “Enslaved” as well as documentary series “Punk.”
At Storyville, Chang helped to deliver more than 85 feature docs, including “The Fourth Estate,” “Maiden,” “The Cleaners,” “The Mole: Infiltrating North Korea,...
Chang, whose role was officially commissioning editor of Storyville and acquisitions, will stay in the post until August, though recruitment for the role will begin in due course. The former Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) arts boss boarded the Beeb in 2017, taking over for Kate Townsend, who left the public broadcaster to join Netflix’s documentary team.
At Fremantle, Chang will oversee the strategy and creation of Fremantle’s new factual arm, reporting into group COO Andrea Scrosati. The super-indie has been investing heavily in unscripted in recent years, launching shows such as Samuel L. Jackson’s “Enslaved” as well as documentary series “Punk.”
At Storyville, Chang helped to deliver more than 85 feature docs, including “The Fourth Estate,” “Maiden,” “The Cleaners,” “The Mole: Infiltrating North Korea,...
- 5/10/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix is launching a documentary talent fund aimed at emerging UK filmmakers.
The fund will be open to applications January 4 – 31 and ten successful applicants will receive £20,000 – £40,000 each to produce a short doc between 8-12 minutes long that will live on the streamer’s social channels.
The money is coming from Netflix’s Hardship Fund, which was launched to support creatives who have been hit by disruption from the pandemic.
Applicants will need to submit a one-sentence logline, a short synopsis and a creative statement to Netflix.
“We’re really excited to open up this opportunity to ambitious documentary filmmakers in the UK,” said Kate Townsend, Director, Original Documentaries. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve never picked up a camera before, we want to encourage anyone with a great story to tell, to go for it. We are on the hunt for the bravest, wittiest, most surprising stories out there...
The fund will be open to applications January 4 – 31 and ten successful applicants will receive £20,000 – £40,000 each to produce a short doc between 8-12 minutes long that will live on the streamer’s social channels.
The money is coming from Netflix’s Hardship Fund, which was launched to support creatives who have been hit by disruption from the pandemic.
Applicants will need to submit a one-sentence logline, a short synopsis and a creative statement to Netflix.
“We’re really excited to open up this opportunity to ambitious documentary filmmakers in the UK,” said Kate Townsend, Director, Original Documentaries. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve never picked up a camera before, we want to encourage anyone with a great story to tell, to go for it. We are on the hunt for the bravest, wittiest, most surprising stories out there...
- 12/17/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Screen named Lamptey a UK & Ireland Star of Tomorrow last year.
Netflix has hired producer and 2019 Screen Star of Tomorrow Fiona Lamptey as director of UK features, with a remit to develop films focused on British productions and IP.
Based in London, Lamptey will identify books, theatre and other material for development. She will also work on discovering emerging UK talent.
After working in TV commissioning for Channel 4, Lamptey joined Film4 as a production executive in 2009, where she earned production manager credits on titles including Kill List, Attack The Block and The Selfish Giant.
In 2011 she launched her own firm,...
Netflix has hired producer and 2019 Screen Star of Tomorrow Fiona Lamptey as director of UK features, with a remit to develop films focused on British productions and IP.
Based in London, Lamptey will identify books, theatre and other material for development. She will also work on discovering emerging UK talent.
After working in TV commissioning for Channel 4, Lamptey joined Film4 as a production executive in 2009, where she earned production manager credits on titles including Kill List, Attack The Block and The Selfish Giant.
In 2011 she launched her own firm,...
- 10/22/2020
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Netflix has hired Fruit Tree Media executive Fiona Lamptey as its director of U.K. features.
Based in London, the newly created role will see Lamptey identify books, theater and other material to develop into feature films, focused on British productions and IP. Lamptey is also charged with spotting new, emerging U.K. talent. The newly created role comes as Netflix looks to widen its reach in the U.K. and focus on dedicated local productions.
Lamptey spent 13 years at U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 and film division Film4 working on features and short film productions before launching talent hub Fruit Tree Media in 2016 to champion underrepresented voices and stories. In 2019, the former production executive was identified as a future leader in film through Film London’s leadership initiative.
She sits on the BAFTA film committee and the BAFTA Learning and New Talent Committee, and has also served as a...
Based in London, the newly created role will see Lamptey identify books, theater and other material to develop into feature films, focused on British productions and IP. Lamptey is also charged with spotting new, emerging U.K. talent. The newly created role comes as Netflix looks to widen its reach in the U.K. and focus on dedicated local productions.
Lamptey spent 13 years at U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 and film division Film4 working on features and short film productions before launching talent hub Fruit Tree Media in 2016 to champion underrepresented voices and stories. In 2019, the former production executive was identified as a future leader in film through Film London’s leadership initiative.
She sits on the BAFTA film committee and the BAFTA Learning and New Talent Committee, and has also served as a...
- 10/22/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has hired Fiona Lamptey as Director of UK Features, a role that will see her tasked with identifying books, theatre, and other material to develop into feature films focused on British productions and IP.
Lamptey joins from her own banner Fruit Tree Media, focused on championing unrepresented voices, which she formed after 13 years of working at Channel 4 / Film4. She was a BFI Vision Awardee in 2020.
Based in London as part of the streamer’s rapidly expanding UK presence, she will also look to identify emerging British talent to bring into the Netflix fold.
“Fiona has been widely recognized for developing underrepresented stories and talent, and has quickly made her mark on the UK film industry. We are excited that Fiona is joining the team and further deepening our commitment and investment to UK stories and talent,” said Scott Stuber, Head of Netflix Film.
“As Director of UK Features,...
Lamptey joins from her own banner Fruit Tree Media, focused on championing unrepresented voices, which she formed after 13 years of working at Channel 4 / Film4. She was a BFI Vision Awardee in 2020.
Based in London as part of the streamer’s rapidly expanding UK presence, she will also look to identify emerging British talent to bring into the Netflix fold.
“Fiona has been widely recognized for developing underrepresented stories and talent, and has quickly made her mark on the UK film industry. We are excited that Fiona is joining the team and further deepening our commitment and investment to UK stories and talent,” said Scott Stuber, Head of Netflix Film.
“As Director of UK Features,...
- 10/22/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
BAFTA has unveiled the jurors for its Breakthrough initiative, the talent showcase that from this year is expanding to include participants from the U.S., China and India.
The UK and U.S. selectees will be unveiled on November 16, with applications opening for India and China later this year. The initiative highlights rising talent from the film, TV and games industries. More info on the program’s new incarnation is available here.
Two juries have been appointed to select the participants. The UK jury will be led by Ade Rawcliffe, Group Director of Diversity and Inclusion at ITV, with select jurors including actress Fiona Shaw and filmmaker Amma Asante. The U.S. jury will be headed by Sony TV exec Kathryn Busby and all3media’s Maria Ishak, with select jurors including No Time To Die director Cary Fukunaga and I May Destroy You actor Paapa Essiedu. The full list of jurors is below.
The UK and U.S. selectees will be unveiled on November 16, with applications opening for India and China later this year. The initiative highlights rising talent from the film, TV and games industries. More info on the program’s new incarnation is available here.
Two juries have been appointed to select the participants. The UK jury will be led by Ade Rawcliffe, Group Director of Diversity and Inclusion at ITV, with select jurors including actress Fiona Shaw and filmmaker Amma Asante. The U.S. jury will be headed by Sony TV exec Kathryn Busby and all3media’s Maria Ishak, with select jurors including No Time To Die director Cary Fukunaga and I May Destroy You actor Paapa Essiedu. The full list of jurors is below.
- 10/19/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Raw Television, the All3Media-backed producer of Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer, has bagged another Netflix commission – a series looking at global sporting scandals.
Deadline understands that the company is making Bad Sport (w/t), which will look at a variety of scandalous sporting incidents around the world.
It comes after the company, which produced breakout doc feature Three Identical Strangers, launched its latest Netflix series Fear City: New York vs The Mafia on the streaming service earlier this month.
Three Identical Strangers director Tim Wardle, who joined the company in 2012 as Head of Development, is one of the exec producers of Bad Sport, alongside Alex Marengo, who exec produced Netflix series Killer Ratings, and Raw’s U.S. creative director Adam Hawkins.
Directors on the series include Luke Sewell, who directed BBC series Generation Gifted, and Alex Kiehl, who developed and directed Channel 4’s Sas: Who Dares Wins.
Deadline understands that the company is making Bad Sport (w/t), which will look at a variety of scandalous sporting incidents around the world.
It comes after the company, which produced breakout doc feature Three Identical Strangers, launched its latest Netflix series Fear City: New York vs The Mafia on the streaming service earlier this month.
Three Identical Strangers director Tim Wardle, who joined the company in 2012 as Head of Development, is one of the exec producers of Bad Sport, alongside Alex Marengo, who exec produced Netflix series Killer Ratings, and Raw’s U.S. creative director Adam Hawkins.
Directors on the series include Luke Sewell, who directed BBC series Generation Gifted, and Alex Kiehl, who developed and directed Channel 4’s Sas: Who Dares Wins.
- 7/30/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has hired director Nils Boekamp to oversee documentary for the German-speaking market out of Berlin, as the streaming giant’s German ambitions gather pace.
A spokesperson confirmed to Variety that Boekamp has joined the streaming giant, and will oversee documentary efforts for the German-speaking Dach region, which includes Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Boekamp is a well-respected director who most recently served as creative director of Berlin-based production company Boekamp & Kriegsheim, which he ran with Felix Kriegsheim.
His directing and producing credits include the feature doc “The Worst Thing”, Arte doc series “1968mm,” feature doc “Green Gap” and Lgbt history-focused drama series “Act Up.”
Variety understands that Boekamp is currently spending a period of time working out of the London office, where former BBC executive Kate Townsend oversees the documentary division.
His appointment comes as Netflix looks to grow aggressively out of Europe, filling out new offices in both Berlin and Paris.
A spokesperson confirmed to Variety that Boekamp has joined the streaming giant, and will oversee documentary efforts for the German-speaking Dach region, which includes Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Boekamp is a well-respected director who most recently served as creative director of Berlin-based production company Boekamp & Kriegsheim, which he ran with Felix Kriegsheim.
His directing and producing credits include the feature doc “The Worst Thing”, Arte doc series “1968mm,” feature doc “Green Gap” and Lgbt history-focused drama series “Act Up.”
Variety understands that Boekamp is currently spending a period of time working out of the London office, where former BBC executive Kate Townsend oversees the documentary division.
His appointment comes as Netflix looks to grow aggressively out of Europe, filling out new offices in both Berlin and Paris.
- 1/16/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Secret Diary Of A Call Girl creator and Succession executive producer-writer Lucy Prebble has been awarded the 2019 Wellcome Screenwriting Fellowship, given in partnership with the BFI and Film4.
Now in its seventh year, the UK fellowship awards a screenwriter £30,000 to explore the intersection between screenwriting, health and science. It provides a year-long tailored experience with access to scientific and humanities research.
The 2019 selection committee was chaired by Kate Leys (script editor) with Lizzie Francke (BFI exec), Lauren Dark (Film4 exec), Iain Dodgeon (Okre) and Simon Chaplin (Wellcome).
Prebble commented, “I am so thrilled to be awarded the Wellcome Screenwriting Fellowship. It has been given to some brilliant artists and I am honoured to be in their company. I have always been a research-hungry writer and I am delighted to be offered such a generous opportunity to feed that. The Wellcome Collection is exactly the sort of place and resource I...
Now in its seventh year, the UK fellowship awards a screenwriter £30,000 to explore the intersection between screenwriting, health and science. It provides a year-long tailored experience with access to scientific and humanities research.
The 2019 selection committee was chaired by Kate Leys (script editor) with Lizzie Francke (BFI exec), Lauren Dark (Film4 exec), Iain Dodgeon (Okre) and Simon Chaplin (Wellcome).
Prebble commented, “I am so thrilled to be awarded the Wellcome Screenwriting Fellowship. It has been given to some brilliant artists and I am honoured to be in their company. I have always been a research-hungry writer and I am delighted to be offered such a generous opportunity to feed that. The Wellcome Collection is exactly the sort of place and resource I...
- 11/27/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix’s international non-scripted drive continues as the Svod service hires former ITV commissioner Ben Kelly to beef up its London programming team.
Deadline understands that Kelly, who was previously an entertainment commissioner at the British linear broadcaster, is joining as manager of nonfiction series. He will be responsible for ordering global entertainment formats out of the UK. He is expected to join imminently.
He has previously handled shows including the return of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, The X Factor and comedy clip format Zone of Champions from Sacha Baron Cohen’s Spelthorne Community Television. Prior to that he was a producer and showrunner on shows including I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Big Brother and Million Pound Menu.
It is the latest non-scripted hire for Netflix in London; last year, it hired former Channel 4 commissioner Lucy Leveugle, who commissioned series such as The Undateables and Child Genius,...
Deadline understands that Kelly, who was previously an entertainment commissioner at the British linear broadcaster, is joining as manager of nonfiction series. He will be responsible for ordering global entertainment formats out of the UK. He is expected to join imminently.
He has previously handled shows including the return of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, The X Factor and comedy clip format Zone of Champions from Sacha Baron Cohen’s Spelthorne Community Television. Prior to that he was a producer and showrunner on shows including I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Big Brother and Million Pound Menu.
It is the latest non-scripted hire for Netflix in London; last year, it hired former Channel 4 commissioner Lucy Leveugle, who commissioned series such as The Undateables and Child Genius,...
- 9/13/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s been a busy ten days for the global SVODs in London as top execs from Netflix, Amazon and Apple all outlined their multi-million-dollar ambitions in the UK. Grilled by members of the House of Lords, all three streamers opened up about their strategies to produce significant numbers of hours of programming out of Britain.
Apple revealed that it has already spent millions of dollars with UK producers including BBC Studios, ahead of the launch of its digital platform later this year, Amazon lifted the lid about working with British broadcasters on projects such as Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, and Netflix called co-productions the “lifeblood” of its business across the pond, hours before unveiling plans to create a major production hub at Shepperton Studios.
Amazon’s Georgia Brown, Netflix’s Anne Mensah and Apple’s Jay Hunt all spoke at length about their employer’s drive to work with British talent,...
Apple revealed that it has already spent millions of dollars with UK producers including BBC Studios, ahead of the launch of its digital platform later this year, Amazon lifted the lid about working with British broadcasters on projects such as Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, and Netflix called co-productions the “lifeblood” of its business across the pond, hours before unveiling plans to create a major production hub at Shepperton Studios.
Amazon’s Georgia Brown, Netflix’s Anne Mensah and Apple’s Jay Hunt all spoke at length about their employer’s drive to work with British talent,...
- 7/4/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Ted Sarandos says streamer wants to ‘physically’ embed itself in country.
Netflix is looking to ramp up its UK presence by acquiring a studio in the country, chief creative officer Ted Sarandos has claimed.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Sarandos said the SVoD giant was looking to “physically” set up production capacity in the country, having already opened a London office and ramped up its UK staff base in recent months.
Netflix snapped up Sky drama chief Anne Mensah towards the end of 2018, the pinnacle of a series of high-profile appointments including unscripted commissioners Kate Townsend and Lucy Leveugle and documentary director Jonathan Taylor.
Netflix is looking to ramp up its UK presence by acquiring a studio in the country, chief creative officer Ted Sarandos has claimed.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Sarandos said the SVoD giant was looking to “physically” set up production capacity in the country, having already opened a London office and ramped up its UK staff base in recent months.
Netflix snapped up Sky drama chief Anne Mensah towards the end of 2018, the pinnacle of a series of high-profile appointments including unscripted commissioners Kate Townsend and Lucy Leveugle and documentary director Jonathan Taylor.
- 5/9/2019
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: The story of Brazilian TV host turned politician Wallace Souza, who was accused of ordering murders in order to bolster ratings of his crime series, is to be made into a seven-part documentary series for Netflix.
The Svod service has ordered Killer Ratings from British factual producers Caravan and Quicksilver. Caravan is the All3Media-backed firm responsible for Nat Geo’s Buried Secrets of the Bible and is run by Dinah Lord, who has won BAFTAs including in 2015 for Grayson Perry: Who Are You?, while Quicksilver is run by Eamonn Matthews, who has won Emmys for series including PBS and BBC’s Outbreak: The Truth About Ebola and PBS and Channel 4’s Undercover Syria.
Souza rose to fame as the host of Canal Livre, a TV show broadcast in Manaus, the remote and lawless city surrounded by jungle in the heart of Brazil’s Amazon. The show...
The Svod service has ordered Killer Ratings from British factual producers Caravan and Quicksilver. Caravan is the All3Media-backed firm responsible for Nat Geo’s Buried Secrets of the Bible and is run by Dinah Lord, who has won BAFTAs including in 2015 for Grayson Perry: Who Are You?, while Quicksilver is run by Eamonn Matthews, who has won Emmys for series including PBS and BBC’s Outbreak: The Truth About Ebola and PBS and Channel 4’s Undercover Syria.
Souza rose to fame as the host of Canal Livre, a TV show broadcast in Manaus, the remote and lawless city surrounded by jungle in the heart of Brazil’s Amazon. The show...
- 5/7/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Mystify: Michael Hutchence’
International buyers are circling Mystify: Michael Hutchence, Richard Lowenstein’s revealing portrait of the late Inxs frontman, following the world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Negotiations handled by the international sales agent Dogwoof are expected to continue after the feature documentary screens this week at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto.
“We had great responses at the Tribeca press and industry screenings, which were attended by reps of some really good companies,” Sue Murray, who produced with Lowenstein, Mya Gnyp, John Battsek, Mark Fennessy, Lynn-Maree Milburn and Andrew de Groot, tells If from New York.
“We expect to get a report from Dogwoof in the next few days, and there will be market screenings in Cannes.”
Lowenstein finished the film, a labour of love, just before the festival opened, with the final version shipped to the event as he was en route to NY.
It features...
International buyers are circling Mystify: Michael Hutchence, Richard Lowenstein’s revealing portrait of the late Inxs frontman, following the world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Negotiations handled by the international sales agent Dogwoof are expected to continue after the feature documentary screens this week at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto.
“We had great responses at the Tribeca press and industry screenings, which were attended by reps of some really good companies,” Sue Murray, who produced with Lowenstein, Mya Gnyp, John Battsek, Mark Fennessy, Lynn-Maree Milburn and Andrew de Groot, tells If from New York.
“We expect to get a report from Dogwoof in the next few days, and there will be market screenings in Cannes.”
Lowenstein finished the film, a labour of love, just before the festival opened, with the final version shipped to the event as he was en route to NY.
It features...
- 4/29/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
British tax authorities are reviewing Netflix’s UK accounts as the global Svod giant begins to ramp up its presence in the country. This comes as The Crown broadcaster is reportedly in advanced talks to take major studio space at Pinewood Studios.
Netflix said that its UK accounts are currently under review by Hm Revenue & Customs, the UK’s equivalent to the IRS. It disclosed this information to U.S. regulators and confirmed the news to The Times newspaper.
Netflix told the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper, “Hmrc regularly audits the accounts of UK companies and we’re currently engaged with them on this standard review.”
Netflix has been aggressively ramping up the amount of business it does in the UK. While its main European headquarters are based in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, it has been staffing up its London office. The company has hired a number of top British execs...
Netflix said that its UK accounts are currently under review by Hm Revenue & Customs, the UK’s equivalent to the IRS. It disclosed this information to U.S. regulators and confirmed the news to The Times newspaper.
Netflix told the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper, “Hmrc regularly audits the accounts of UK companies and we’re currently engaged with them on this standard review.”
Netflix has been aggressively ramping up the amount of business it does in the UK. While its main European headquarters are based in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, it has been staffing up its London office. The company has hired a number of top British execs...
- 12/3/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Departing Sky drama chief takes senior scripted role at Svod giant.
Sky drama chief Anne Mensah is leaving the broadcaster to head UK scripted productions at Netflix.
As vice-president, content, Mensah will become the Svod platform’s point-person in the UK for high-profile scripted series, reporting to vice president of original content, Cindy Holland.
Mensah’s appointment ends a lengthy period of speculation about the role.
It is thought Netflix first approached Mensah earlier in the year and that her passion for her role at Sky meant she required some convincing to make the move.
“Throughout her career, Anne has celebrated creative freedom,...
Sky drama chief Anne Mensah is leaving the broadcaster to head UK scripted productions at Netflix.
As vice-president, content, Mensah will become the Svod platform’s point-person in the UK for high-profile scripted series, reporting to vice president of original content, Cindy Holland.
Mensah’s appointment ends a lengthy period of speculation about the role.
It is thought Netflix first approached Mensah earlier in the year and that her passion for her role at Sky meant she required some convincing to make the move.
“Throughout her career, Anne has celebrated creative freedom,...
- 11/12/2018
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Departing Sky drama chief takes senior scripted role at SVoD giant.
Sky drama chief Anne Mensah is leaving the broadcaster to head British scripted productions at Netflix.
As vice president, content, Mensah will become the SVoD’s point-person in the UK for high-profile scripted series, reporting to vice-president of original content Cindy Holland.
Mensah’s appointment ends a lengthy period of speculation about the role.
It is thought that Netflix first approached Mensah earlier in the year and that her passion for her role at Sky meant she required some convincing to make the move.
“Throughout her career, Anne has celebrated creative freedom,...
Sky drama chief Anne Mensah is leaving the broadcaster to head British scripted productions at Netflix.
As vice president, content, Mensah will become the SVoD’s point-person in the UK for high-profile scripted series, reporting to vice-president of original content Cindy Holland.
Mensah’s appointment ends a lengthy period of speculation about the role.
It is thought that Netflix first approached Mensah earlier in the year and that her passion for her role at Sky meant she required some convincing to make the move.
“Throughout her career, Anne has celebrated creative freedom,...
- 11/12/2018
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Netflix is continuing to bolster its non-scripted efforts outside of the U.S. after hiring former Channel 4 exec Lucy Leveugle in London.
The Svod service announced that the former interim head of factual entertainment, who commissioned series such as The Undateables and Child Genius, will join Netflix’s unscripted team. She will work under Nathaniel Grouille and Sean Hancock, who are both based in the U.S.
Netflix said that her focus is unscripted content from across Emea and will join in the new year.
Leveugle left the British broadcaster earlier this year, having joined in 2012, where she also oversaw formats including Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds and docs such as Inside the Ku Klux Klan.
It is the latest high-profile hire out of the British capital, after Deadline revealed that former Monkey COO Jason Crosby joined over the summer and Kate Townsend relocated from La to London.
The Svod service announced that the former interim head of factual entertainment, who commissioned series such as The Undateables and Child Genius, will join Netflix’s unscripted team. She will work under Nathaniel Grouille and Sean Hancock, who are both based in the U.S.
Netflix said that her focus is unscripted content from across Emea and will join in the new year.
Leveugle left the British broadcaster earlier this year, having joined in 2012, where she also oversaw formats including Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds and docs such as Inside the Ku Klux Klan.
It is the latest high-profile hire out of the British capital, after Deadline revealed that former Monkey COO Jason Crosby joined over the summer and Kate Townsend relocated from La to London.
- 10/16/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix is continuing to bolster its London-based division after Jason Crosby, former COO of NBC Universal-owned producer Monkey, joined its unscripted team.
Crosby, who was Chief Operating Officer at the Made In Chelsea indie for over three years, has joined the Svod platform as Director of Unscripted, Comedy and Docs Production, across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He reports to Netflix Director of Production Jason Mussman.
He is the latest exec to join Netflix’s burgeoning London team, following the appointment of former Canal Plus executive Diego Buñuel and Kate Townsend’s move from La to London. Both are responsible for expanding the company’s slate of factual titles in the UK and Europe.
Crosby was a co-exec producer on Bravo’s reality series Newlyweds: The First Year. He joined Monkey in 2011 as Director of Operations. Prior to that he had been a production executive at NBC Universal International Television Production...
Crosby, who was Chief Operating Officer at the Made In Chelsea indie for over three years, has joined the Svod platform as Director of Unscripted, Comedy and Docs Production, across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He reports to Netflix Director of Production Jason Mussman.
He is the latest exec to join Netflix’s burgeoning London team, following the appointment of former Canal Plus executive Diego Buñuel and Kate Townsend’s move from La to London. Both are responsible for expanding the company’s slate of factual titles in the UK and Europe.
Crosby was a co-exec producer on Bravo’s reality series Newlyweds: The First Year. He joined Monkey in 2011 as Director of Operations. Prior to that he had been a production executive at NBC Universal International Television Production...
- 10/11/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Netflix is bolstering its London-based commissioning team as factual exec Kate Townsend is moving back to the British capital from Los Angeles.
Townsend, who joined the global streaming platform from the BBC in 2017, is relocating to London as the company grows its presence outside of the U.S. She will be part of Netflix’s doc team and will work closely with British and European producers as it expands its slate of original factual titles. She will work closely in London with former Canal Plus executive Diego Buñuel, who is also moving from La to London as part of the doc unit.
Netflix, which has 72.8M subscribers internationally compared to 57.4M in the U.S., has been increasingly sending execs around the world to be closer to production teams and creators.
During her time at Netflix, Townsend has worked on shows including Explained, the series produced in association Vox...
Townsend, who joined the global streaming platform from the BBC in 2017, is relocating to London as the company grows its presence outside of the U.S. She will be part of Netflix’s doc team and will work closely with British and European producers as it expands its slate of original factual titles. She will work closely in London with former Canal Plus executive Diego Buñuel, who is also moving from La to London as part of the doc unit.
Netflix, which has 72.8M subscribers internationally compared to 57.4M in the U.S., has been increasingly sending execs around the world to be closer to production teams and creators.
During her time at Netflix, Townsend has worked on shows including Explained, the series produced in association Vox...
- 8/9/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The streaming giant held a private cocktail reception at Sheffield Doc/Fest earlier this week and outlined its strategy.
Netflix is to open a London office from which it will commission European originals in September.
Broadcast understands that Diego Buñuel, who joined the business from Canal Plus in April, will head factual for the division.
The streaming giant held a private cocktail reception at Sheffield Doc/Fest where it outlined its strategy earlier this week.
One source said: “They mostly invited European buyers like Arte to figure out a way of working together - or scare them off.
“They want...
Netflix is to open a London office from which it will commission European originals in September.
Broadcast understands that Diego Buñuel, who joined the business from Canal Plus in April, will head factual for the division.
The streaming giant held a private cocktail reception at Sheffield Doc/Fest where it outlined its strategy earlier this week.
One source said: “They mostly invited European buyers like Arte to figure out a way of working together - or scare them off.
“They want...
- 6/13/2018
- by Manori Ravindran Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Netflix is sending executive Diego Bunuel to the U.K. to oversee original factual programming out of its soon-to-open new London office, part of the the streaming giant’s increased emphasis on localizing its lineup of shows. Bunuel, who will relocate from Los Angeles, will commission original documentaries for Europe.
Netflix makes most of its programming decisions from L.A., but is expected to install content executives in its regional bases as part of its ramped-up localization effort. Bunuel, who has been with Netflix for about three months, was previously head of factual producer Explorer and is a former head of documentary at French pay-tv operator Canal Plus. A Netflix spokesman confirmed that Bunuel would be based in the British capital as director of original documentaries.
Netflix will move into a new Central London headquarters near Oxford Circus in the next few months, and Bunuel will work from there as part of the existing team.
Netflix makes most of its programming decisions from L.A., but is expected to install content executives in its regional bases as part of its ramped-up localization effort. Bunuel, who has been with Netflix for about three months, was previously head of factual producer Explorer and is a former head of documentary at French pay-tv operator Canal Plus. A Netflix spokesman confirmed that Bunuel would be based in the British capital as director of original documentaries.
Netflix will move into a new Central London headquarters near Oxford Circus in the next few months, and Bunuel will work from there as part of the existing team.
- 6/12/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
BuzzFeed’s newest project will shine a light on its own reporters — who will be the stars in a new Netflix short-form documentary series slated to bow this summer.
The 20-episode series, “Follow This,” will premiere July 9 on Netflix worldwide. Each 15-minute episode will be released weekly, not in Netflix’s usual binge-able release. The new show is an example of shorter-form content Netflix is acquiring, designed to appeal to viewers on mobile devices.
“We’re thrilled that Netflix saw the drama in the work of our journalism and the stories we tell,” BuzzFeed News editor-in-chief Ben Smith said in a statement. “And we’re so pleased to have brought what we’ve learned to Netflix’s unmatched audience.”
The first episode, “The Internet Whisperers,” follows BuzzFeed reporter Scaachi Koul as she delves into on a story about the “head orgasm” experience of Asmr, or autonomous sensory meridian response.
Along with Koul,...
The 20-episode series, “Follow This,” will premiere July 9 on Netflix worldwide. Each 15-minute episode will be released weekly, not in Netflix’s usual binge-able release. The new show is an example of shorter-form content Netflix is acquiring, designed to appeal to viewers on mobile devices.
“We’re thrilled that Netflix saw the drama in the work of our journalism and the stories we tell,” BuzzFeed News editor-in-chief Ben Smith said in a statement. “And we’re so pleased to have brought what we’ve learned to Netflix’s unmatched audience.”
The first episode, “The Internet Whisperers,” follows BuzzFeed reporter Scaachi Koul as she delves into on a story about the “head orgasm” experience of Asmr, or autonomous sensory meridian response.
Along with Koul,...
- 4/25/2018
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
The North American deal understood to be a little over $2m was announced before the Friday world premiere of Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau’s U.S. Documentary Competition selection.
The Orchard will handle all North American distribution excluding broadcast and plans a theatrical release later this year on a minimum of 150 screens.
CNN will air the documentary later this year. It is understood a studio international deal is in the works.
Lauren Haber and Pulse Films’ Julia Nottingham produced the film about the evolving relationship between big-game hunting and wildlife conservation. Production companies include Reel Peak Films and Impact Partners.
The Orchard’s vice-president of acquisitions Danielle Digiacomo and CNN Films vice-president for business affairs Stacey Wolf and CNN Films vice-president for content development Courtney Sexton brokered the deal.
Negotiating for the Trophy filmmakers were Josh Braun and Ben Braun of Submarine, UTA Independent Film Group, and Anita Surendran of Gray Krauss Stratford Sandler Des Rochers.
Executive...
The Orchard will handle all North American distribution excluding broadcast and plans a theatrical release later this year on a minimum of 150 screens.
CNN will air the documentary later this year. It is understood a studio international deal is in the works.
Lauren Haber and Pulse Films’ Julia Nottingham produced the film about the evolving relationship between big-game hunting and wildlife conservation. Production companies include Reel Peak Films and Impact Partners.
The Orchard’s vice-president of acquisitions Danielle Digiacomo and CNN Films vice-president for business affairs Stacey Wolf and CNN Films vice-president for content development Courtney Sexton brokered the deal.
Negotiating for the Trophy filmmakers were Josh Braun and Ben Braun of Submarine, UTA Independent Film Group, and Anita Surendran of Gray Krauss Stratford Sandler Des Rochers.
Executive...
- 1/20/2017
- ScreenDaily
The Orchard and CNN Films have acquired the North American rights to the Sundance entry “Trophy,” directed by Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau. The Orchard is taking all North American rights except broadcast, which will be handled by CNN. A studio is in the process of negotiating international rights to the film.
The acquisition comes on the day of the premiere of the movie, which was produced by Lauren Haber and Julia Nottingham of Pulse Films and screens in Sundance’s U.S. Documentary Competition section.
“Trophy” is a “startling exploration of the evolving relationship between big-game hunting and wildlife conservation,” and will be released this year on at least 150 screens, according to The Orchard. The film looks at endangered African species like elephants, rhinos and lions, and investigates the industries of big-game hunting, breeding and wildlife conservation to ask the question: What are the implications of treating animals as commodities?...
The acquisition comes on the day of the premiere of the movie, which was produced by Lauren Haber and Julia Nottingham of Pulse Films and screens in Sundance’s U.S. Documentary Competition section.
“Trophy” is a “startling exploration of the evolving relationship between big-game hunting and wildlife conservation,” and will be released this year on at least 150 screens, according to The Orchard. The film looks at endangered African species like elephants, rhinos and lions, and investigates the industries of big-game hunting, breeding and wildlife conservation to ask the question: What are the implications of treating animals as commodities?...
- 1/20/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Ezra Edelman, director and producer of 'O.J.:Made In America' will give a keynote at Aidc 2017..
The 30th installment of the Australian International Documentary Conference (Aidc) has attracted a variety of international producers as its headline speakers.
They include head of Passion Pictures John Battsek (One Day In September); vice president of the Tribeca Film Institute Amy Hobby (What Happened, Miss Simone?) and Ezra Edelman, director and producer of O.J.: Made In America.
Edelman and Battsek will deliver the opening session about using sports documentary as a way to explore power and racial discrimination. Hobby will appear in conversation about the experiences of documentary filmmakers on the festival and awards circuit.
All three will also participate as mentors in the Access@Aidc mentorship program..
Other conference sessions announced so far include:
– Revolution or Evolution?, a session about the future of .serious gaming. and virtual reality documentary with Navid Khonsari,...
The 30th installment of the Australian International Documentary Conference (Aidc) has attracted a variety of international producers as its headline speakers.
They include head of Passion Pictures John Battsek (One Day In September); vice president of the Tribeca Film Institute Amy Hobby (What Happened, Miss Simone?) and Ezra Edelman, director and producer of O.J.: Made In America.
Edelman and Battsek will deliver the opening session about using sports documentary as a way to explore power and racial discrimination. Hobby will appear in conversation about the experiences of documentary filmmakers on the festival and awards circuit.
All three will also participate as mentors in the Access@Aidc mentorship program..
Other conference sessions announced so far include:
– Revolution or Evolution?, a session about the future of .serious gaming. and virtual reality documentary with Navid Khonsari,...
- 11/8/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Simon Chinn (Man On Wire) joined by Dogwoof, Discovery and BBC execs.
A Sheffield Doc/Fest panel titled ‘How To Get Your Theatrical Doc Funded and Distributed saw industry heavyweights deliver a raft of advice.
Discovery Channel head of documentary and specials John Hoffman said every production company should be approachable “as you never know when the next great story will appear.”
Hoffman recalled his tenure as a producer at HBO, citing that no documentary was ever overlooked. Using the film Rape in a Small Town: The Florence Holway Story as an example, he recalled when Jeffrey and Charlene Chapman...
A Sheffield Doc/Fest panel titled ‘How To Get Your Theatrical Doc Funded and Distributed saw industry heavyweights deliver a raft of advice.
Discovery Channel head of documentary and specials John Hoffman said every production company should be approachable “as you never know when the next great story will appear.”
Hoffman recalled his tenure as a producer at HBO, citing that no documentary was ever overlooked. Using the film Rape in a Small Town: The Florence Holway Story as an example, he recalled when Jeffrey and Charlene Chapman...
- 6/15/2016
- ScreenDaily
The Australian International Documentary Conference has unveiled the program and international guests for this year's business stream. .
Aidc 2016.s Business Sessions will cover such areas as international funding strategies, the opportunities presented by Video On Demand (VOD) services, developing and selling factual formats, and the secrets of successful production houses..
Highlight sessions include Demystifying VOD, with Kinonation.s Roger Jackson; Taking Your Format To The World, a masterclass with Nz format expert Julie Christie; Patchwork Commissioning, an international funding how-to moderated by WildBear Entertainment.s Veronica Fury; and Docbusters, a session that explores how cinema on demand is allowing feature documentaries to blitz the box office.
Aidc Business Sessions are available only to All Access and Day Pass holders. A full schedule can be found on the Sessions page of the Aidc website.
Aidc Roundtables give attendees a rare chance to meet top decision makers and participate in highly focused discussions in an informal setting.
Aidc 2016.s Business Sessions will cover such areas as international funding strategies, the opportunities presented by Video On Demand (VOD) services, developing and selling factual formats, and the secrets of successful production houses..
Highlight sessions include Demystifying VOD, with Kinonation.s Roger Jackson; Taking Your Format To The World, a masterclass with Nz format expert Julie Christie; Patchwork Commissioning, an international funding how-to moderated by WildBear Entertainment.s Veronica Fury; and Docbusters, a session that explores how cinema on demand is allowing feature documentaries to blitz the box office.
Aidc Business Sessions are available only to All Access and Day Pass holders. A full schedule can be found on the Sessions page of the Aidc website.
Aidc Roundtables give attendees a rare chance to meet top decision makers and participate in highly focused discussions in an informal setting.
- 1/22/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Sundance Selects plans Dec 4 release theatrically and on demand.
Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights to Orion: The Man Who Would Be King, the feature documentary written and directed by Jeanie Finlay.
The film tells the story of Jimmy Ellis, “an unknown singer plucked from obscurity and thrust into the spotlight as part of a crazy scheme that had him masquerade as Elvis back from the grave”.
The film, which had its world premiere at Tribeca and won the Grand Jury Prize in Nashville, will be released theatrically and on demand on Dec 4.
Producers are Dewi Gregory and Finlay, with executive producers Al Morrow, Suzanne Alizart, Kate Townsend, Nick Fraser, Hannah Thomas, Richard Holmes, John Tobin, Andy Copping and Alexander Preston.
Production companies are Glimmer Films, Truth Department and Met Film, and the film’s supporters include Creative England, Ffilm Cymru Wales, BBC Storyville and Broadway.
Finlay, a former Screen Star of Tomorrow, previously directed...
Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights to Orion: The Man Who Would Be King, the feature documentary written and directed by Jeanie Finlay.
The film tells the story of Jimmy Ellis, “an unknown singer plucked from obscurity and thrust into the spotlight as part of a crazy scheme that had him masquerade as Elvis back from the grave”.
The film, which had its world premiere at Tribeca and won the Grand Jury Prize in Nashville, will be released theatrically and on demand on Dec 4.
Producers are Dewi Gregory and Finlay, with executive producers Al Morrow, Suzanne Alizart, Kate Townsend, Nick Fraser, Hannah Thomas, Richard Holmes, John Tobin, Andy Copping and Alexander Preston.
Production companies are Glimmer Films, Truth Department and Met Film, and the film’s supporters include Creative England, Ffilm Cymru Wales, BBC Storyville and Broadway.
Finlay, a former Screen Star of Tomorrow, previously directed...
- 10/27/2015
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
BBC Two's Great Ormond Street is to return for a third series.
Three new episodes of the documentary programme will begin on Tuesday, April 28.
Great Ormond Street takes a closer look at the work done by the world-leading children's hospital, and the families of the children receiving care.
Kate Townsend, executive producer, said: "The Great Ormond Street series continues in its compelling tone to explore complex dilemmas born from cutting-edge medicine. In this latest series, some of the children are particularly involved in the decision-making process."
Bobby Gaspar, consultant in paediatric immunology at the hospital, added: "Difficult decisions are part of daily life at Great Ormond Street. This documentary offers a rare insight into what it is like for us as clinicians and researchers, as well as for our families and patients, as we weigh up what is right for each child and the amount of risk we are...
Three new episodes of the documentary programme will begin on Tuesday, April 28.
Great Ormond Street takes a closer look at the work done by the world-leading children's hospital, and the families of the children receiving care.
Kate Townsend, executive producer, said: "The Great Ormond Street series continues in its compelling tone to explore complex dilemmas born from cutting-edge medicine. In this latest series, some of the children are particularly involved in the decision-making process."
Bobby Gaspar, consultant in paediatric immunology at the hospital, added: "Difficult decisions are part of daily life at Great Ormond Street. This documentary offers a rare insight into what it is like for us as clinicians and researchers, as well as for our families and patients, as we weigh up what is right for each child and the amount of risk we are...
- 4/7/2015
- Digital Spy
Exclusive: Storyville, Irish Film Board commission is first production from Alan Maher at Roads Entertainment.
BBC4 doc strand Storyville and the Irish Film Board (Ifb) have ordered a documentary from Crazy About One Direction-director Daisy Asquith.
After the Dance will chart Asquith’s investigation into her own complicated family history on the west coast of Ireland.
The feature-length film will trace the fallout experienced by Asquith’s family after her mother was conceived to unmarried parents and adopted, unpicking a past dominated by secrets and shame and involving a new family in County Clare.
Asquith said: “My grandmother suffered an appalling injustice at the hands of the Catholic church, being forced to give up her baby after a secret pregnancy she dared tell no-one in her family about.
“The shame at these stories still exists, which makes this a tough film to make. But I make it with love and pride in my Irish family.”
After...
BBC4 doc strand Storyville and the Irish Film Board (Ifb) have ordered a documentary from Crazy About One Direction-director Daisy Asquith.
After the Dance will chart Asquith’s investigation into her own complicated family history on the west coast of Ireland.
The feature-length film will trace the fallout experienced by Asquith’s family after her mother was conceived to unmarried parents and adopted, unpicking a past dominated by secrets and shame and involving a new family in County Clare.
Asquith said: “My grandmother suffered an appalling injustice at the hands of the Catholic church, being forced to give up her baby after a secret pregnancy she dared tell no-one in her family about.
“The shame at these stories still exists, which makes this a tough film to make. But I make it with love and pride in my Irish family.”
After...
- 12/17/2013
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Park City, Ut (January 20, 2013) – HBO Documentary Films today announced the acquisition of the crowd-pleaser “Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer” at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. HBO Documentary Films acquired U.S. television rights. Directed by Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin, the film made its world premiere Friday night to a sold out crowd. “Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer” tells the incredible story of three young women: Nadia, Masha and Katia. As members of the feminist art collective Pussy Riot, they performed a 40 second “punk prayer” inside Russia’s main cathedral. This performance led to their arrest on charges of religious hatred and culminated in a trial that has reverberated around the world and transformed the face of Russian society forever. With unparalleled access and exclusive footage, this film looks at the real people behind their now famous colorful balaclavas. Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin, the directors of “Pussy Riot” “are thrilled...
- 1/21/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
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