miptv 17-19 april 2023 palais des festivals, cannes

Documentary Business

Peter Hamilton Consultants, Inc

Commissioning Process

How do channels commission new factual programs?

Resilience Rules at World Congress of Science & Factual Producers, 2022. Impressions by Indie Producer Ruth Berry

By Ruth Berry. Six hundred eighty-four producers, broadcasters and content makers filled the cavernous (but warm) hall of Glasgow’s Scottish Events Campus for the 30th anniversary of WCSFP hosted by BBC Studios Scotland. Over 30% of the delegates were newcomers. It was always going to be special. After a three-year hiatus, contact was craved, masks …

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STAR CHASERS OF SENEGAL: Indie Producer’s Terra Mater Studios / NOVA Copro. A MIPCOM Case Study

Independent producer / director Ruth Berry creates for Terra Mater Studios and PBS’s NOVA series, a fast-track special that navigates the many cultural challenges to successful field production in Africa while revealing that space exploration is for everyone – not just for the wealthiest countries. Watch our MIPCOM 2022 Coproduction Case Study panel video here. …

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S4C honors Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney for their docuseries at Wales’ World Cup sendoff on Broadway

Monday’s sold out and jam-packed Wales to the World celebration was without a doubt my funnest nite of 2022. S4C, the Welsh-language broadcaster was our host at Manhattan’s Sony Theater. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were the delighted honorees for their support of Welsh football. The American super-star actors had purchased struggling Wrexham Football Club …

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Nat Geo & Disney+: What Do They Want? And Not! Read their ‘Unscripted Creative Brief, October 2022’

Nat Geo / Disney+ released their UNSCRIPTED CREATIVE BRIEF October 2022.  The #2 global streamer is “significantly broadening our editorial lens,” New opportunities can be discerned from this very useful guide to Nat Geo’s program priorities. It captures the language used by decision-makers, the pitches they want to hear… and the ones that are a waste …

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SMART CONTENT MATTERS: Celebrate at Congress ’22 in Glasgow, November 28 – December 1

After three long years, the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers is thrilled to come together to celebrate their 30th anniversary event. Congress ’22 will take place in Glasgow from November 28 to December 1, and is made possible with the generous support of host sponsor BBC Studios Productions and signature partners Screen Scotland …

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CHARLES III: New British Monarch is a Documentary Patron

Prior to his accession, HM Charles III was an active patron of documentaries. For example, between 2006 and 2008, HRH The Prince of Wales helped fund three films produced by André Singer and West Park Pictures: Stairway to Heaven (al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem). The Arch of Enlightenment (Seoul). Emperor Qinglong’s Lodge of Retirement (Forbidden City, Beijing) Each …

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Netflix 2023 What You Need To Know Now


TRUE ROYALTY: The Netflix for “super-engaged Royals fans”. A Podcast with CEO Gregor Angus (Republished)

Queen Elizabeth‘s passing reminded me of our 2019 coverage of TRUE ROYALTY, the ‘mega-niche’ streamer for “the 150M people worldwide who are Royal super-fans.” TRUE ROYALTY now carries a library of “450+ constantly-refreshed quality titles about Royalty today, around the world and throughout history.” First published, October 2019 TRUE ROYALTY is a London-based subscription video …

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Netflix & the Streamers. What do they want? What they pay! My Show & Tell Webinar with Keith Ochwat. September 15, 1pm/PT

How do you figure out what the streamers want? The volatility of the streaming ecosystem is hard to navigate. What was true a year ago has changed. You need to know how your film fits within the ever-evolving streaming world. WEBINAR I will be joining distribution expert, Show&Tell’s Keith Ochwat next Thursday for a special …

Netflix & the Streamers. What do they want? What they pay! My Show & Tell Webinar with Keith Ochwat. September 15, 1pm/PT Read More »