The BBC’s Documentary Directors’ Initiative re-launches as six documentary makers from the scheme’s first year are announced
The BBC’s Documentary Directors’ Initiative, launched in 2016, is to return for a second year, offering six new documentary film makers the opportunity to produce their first long-form docs.
Published: 27 March 2017
We’re so proud to announce the six directors we’re nurturing as part of the Documentary Directors’ Initiative. They have a diverse array of experience and are working on some fascinating films. We know there are lots more potential directors out there and the return of the scheme for a second year means we’ll be able to once again push that talent to the fore.
The six successful candidates from the scheme's inaugural year are announced as Charlotte Charlton, Dominic Sivyer, Sunny Kang, Rachel Rob-Levyt, Lizzie Kempton and Kate Godfrey.
The Documentary Directors' Initiative will return to once again generate four documentaries for BBC Three and two for BBC One, which will all be minimum 40 minutes duration. Candidates will be able to apply for the scheme’s second run later this year.
The scheme’s first year has linked six new directors up with three production companies - BBC Studios, Minnow Films and Nine Lives Media. The successful applicants from the 2016 scheme, whose films will air later this year, are:
Charlotte Charlton
Charlotte has been working in documentaries since 2011. She worked as an assistant producer before becoming a DV director and producer, specialising in challenging and sensitive access and observational films. She will be directing her first long-form film with Minnow Films.
Dominic Sivyer
Film school graduate Dominic's first film as a director sees him chart his grandfather's descent into dementia and the impact the illness has on his family. Dominic is directing this film with Minnow Films.
Sunny Kang
Sunny began his career as a Technical Production Assistant progressing over the last six years to working as a Self Shooting Director. He enjoys making a range of programmes from observational documentaries to current affairs and docu-dramas and most recently has been working undercover. He will be directing his film with BBC Studios.
Rachel Lob-Levyt
Rachel has strong journalistic instincts and has worked across both current affairs and documentaries, but her passion is for character-driven docs. She has been involved with programmes such as Louis Theroux's documentaries and Panorama and most recently she has been working on a feature doc. Rachel will be making her film with BBC Studios.
Lizzie Kempton
Lizzie started in journalism before moving into documentaries and current affairs. She worked on How To Die: Simon's Choice as an Associate Producer. Lizzie will be directing her film with Nine Lives Media.
Kate Godfrey
Kate’s background is in investigative journalism in current and foreign affairs, specialising in difficult access. She will be making her film with Nine Lives Media.
The six film makers will have one on one mentoring sessions with some of our most established film makers - Morgan Matthews, Jane Treays and Ollie Lambert. They will also have bespoke workshops with some of the industry’s best editors, execs and directors.
Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, says: “We’re so proud to announce the six directors we’re nurturing as part of the Documentary Directors’ Initiative. They have a diverse array of experience and are working on some fascinating films. We know there are lots more potential directors out there and the return of the scheme for a second year means we’ll be able to once again push that talent to the fore”.
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