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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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The Sundance Documentary Economy: $848 Million Spent by Producers Who Miss Out

A Sundance Film Festival award lags only behind an Oscar nomination as a measure of success for documentarians. But what are the odds that a U.S. or international documentary will earn a slot on the Sundance program? Is $848 million really the total spent on all those submissions that missed out? Read on for my …

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News Roundup: Climate Change Documentaries Breaking Through?

The COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference opens in Glasgow on October 31, bringing urgency to the race to save our planet. Documentary commissioners, producers and distributors have responded with lots of new orders. Does global warming have the urgent audience appeal of programs that address hot button issues like true crime, gender, and social …

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Netflix 2023 What You Need To Know Now


Documentary Decision-makers Guide. New and Updated from Sunny Side. 260 Buyers. 42 Countries! Save $69.95!!!

Who are key documentary buyers worldwide? What programs and series do they want? How can you reach them? 260 decision-makers / 137 companies / 42 countries   The expanded and updated Sunny Side of the Doc Guide to Documentary Decision Makers is now available for $99.95. That’s a 33% instant savings of $50 off the regular …

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Watch: Dalai Lama / Greta Thunberg. 1st ever meeting discusses Climate Feedback Loops / Update: Now a 1 hour special for international distribution

West One International has closed a deal with Moving Still Productions for international TV distribution rights for the climate change documentary “Earth Emergency,” narrated by Richard Gere with contributions from Greta Thunberg, Jane Fonda and the Dalai Lama, as well as a roster of distinguished scientists and environmentalists. Picking up where its predecessor, the short film anthology “Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops,” left off, …

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NOVA: What do they want? Watch Sunny Side’s Meet the Executive Presentation

Meet Chris Schmidt and Julia Cort, Executive Producers of NOVA, and Melanie Wallace, Senior Series Producer. They joined me at this year’s Sunny Side of the Doc for a revealing MEET THE EXECUTIVE presentation, including clips of program highlights. Watch the NOVA / Sunny Side video here: And don’t miss my detailed coverage of NOVA …

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Netflix 2023 What You Need To Know Now


The Woman Who Loves Giraffes. Case Study of an inspiring theatrical documentary that blends Wildlife & the Archive

It was standing-room-only at the East Village premiere that I attended for The Woman Who Loves Giraffes. The Q&A that followed resembled a celebrity speaking tour: the star in the spotlight was the sparkling 87-year old, Anne Innis Dagg. This Canadian feature combines several of my favorite genres: Archive-based History Wildlife Science Plus a bit …

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Polio Virus Documentary: A Case Study in the Defeat of a Raging Epidemic

A SHOT TO SAVE THE WORLD is a special about Jonas Salk’s race to defeat the dreaded polio virus. It captures how strong, unifying leadership and Science-based government can overcome a terrible global epidemic. I became committed as an Executive Producer. Bill Gates kindly agreed to serve as the narrator of our film, and his foundation supported …

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