Funding for Factual has become quite complicated. At a previous festival someone from the audience commented that the funding producers receive has not really increased in over ten years. The response was that it is important that Producers understand how funding will work – or they may not get the commission at all. At a funding panel, sponsored by Barclays, at the last BVE also covered how producers might get funds from the Bank. One problem is that Channels still have an addiction to celebrities but will stage payment so there is a potential for cash flow problems even when you have a commission. Funding can come from unexpected sources, for example government programs might fund a nature program that is really a commercial for tourism. One government wanted to promote 4K technology and looked for a Producer that would help get that program made.
The Panel was chaired by Helen Veale http://www.outlineproductions.co.uk/profiles/helen-veale/ ) the Panel included Cecille Olsen https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/20713710 Harriet Armston-Clarke (Director, TVF International), Maartje Horchner (All3Media), Richard Life (Cineflix Rights)
Cecille, from ITV Studios, is looking for Access piece, Factual, Factual History and Documentary. Has been working with Windfall films (Building Giants). Usually people associate ITV with drama and ITV Studios as a production Company but they have a big Distribution arm as well.
Richard Life, representing Inside the Operation Theatre and have also been working with Windfall as well.
Maartje Horchner, All3Media, obviously a large production company in their own right but you don’t have to be one of their companies to get Distribution. Looking for Feature docs but also low end
Harriet Armston-Clarke from TVF International, a smaller UK distributor. They represent Indies from all over the world. Looking Single docs, Feature Films.