In this newsletter:
- Last chance to register at early-bird rate! Deadline Wednesday, October 14th
- Schedule of events now available online
- G’days and wild nights! Congress social events announced
- Discovery and National Geographic return to congress
- Who’s coming
- Wellcome trust mentoring program for emerging talent
- Register for Melbourne and participate in speed dating
Last chance to register at early-bird rate! Deadline Wednesday, October 14th
Next week is your last chance to register for this year’s Congress in Melbourne at an early-bird rate. Register on or before Wednesday, October 14, and receive $200 (CAD) off! Additional discounts for companies sending three or more delegates are also available.
Schedule of events now available online
The schedule for the upcoming World Congress of Science and Factual Producers is now live at www.wcsfp.com. Editorial Director Alison Leigh, working with the WCSFP Steering Committee and her team of volunteer producers, has developed an impressive slate of sessions that expose and explore current trends in the factual industry. View the schedule and discover more about this year’s dynamic bill of sessions, screenings, networking opportunities and other events. Check back for updates on panelists, Close Encounters of the Funding Kind (previously Meet the CEs), Meet the Networks and more.
G’days and wild nights! Congress social events announced
In keeping with the unforgettable social experiences of Congresses past, this year’s line-up promises to once again be a highlight for delegates. On opening night, guests will be welcomed to Australia with cocktails at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Wednesday’s Feast & Foolery provides a three course dinner and dancing into the night at Melbourne’s stunning Plaza Ballroom. Cozy up to your colleagues and play to win with the Dog Eat Dog trivia night – sponsored by NHNZ – at hot spot the European Bier Cafe on Thursday, and celebrate the conclusion of another successful Congress with Friday’s closing cocktail. For further details on this year’s social events, visit www.wcsfp.com.
Discovery and National Geographic return to congress
The WCSFP welcomes back long-time partners Discovery and National Geographic as sponsors of this year’s Congress. Both broadcasters will be sending representatives to Melbourne. Expected to attend from Discovery are senior science editor Paul Gasek, director of development Doug Bailey and senior vice president of development and production Gena McCarthy, as well as Science Channel’s general manager Debbie Myers. From National Geographic, delegates will include executive vice president – content Steve Burns, executive producer Madeleine Carter, senior vice president Janet Vissering, vice president of development and coproduction Bridget Whalen and executive vice president Sydney Suissa.
Who’s coming
A list of companies represented at this year’s Congress is now available online at www.wcsfp.com. This list will be updated on an on-going basis over the coming weeks. A list of individual delegates will be available online in the near future.
Wellcome trust mentoring program for emerging talent
The WCSFP is pleased to announce the return of the Wellcome Trust as a Congress partner and the return of the Wellcome Trust Mentoring Program for Emerging Talent. This annual program offers eight promising science professionals a unique opportunity to participate in the premiere event of its kind, with the additional benefits of mentoring and networking with the top executives and creative minds in the industry. Applications are now being accepted with a final deadline of October 30. For more information and to apply, visit www.wcsfp.com.
Register for Melbourne and participate in speed dating
Producers: want to sit down for a one-on-one with some of the industry’s most influential funders? Submissions for this year’s Speed Dating event will be accepted beginning October 23. Registered delegates will be able to submit their projects for consideration by CEs, distributors and funders – all of whom will not know who or where the project is coming from until you meet face-to-face at Congress. Speed Dating is a great way to access funders who you might otherwise not have easy access to. Submissions will be accepted from registered delegates only.
The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers (WCSFP) is a member-run, not-for-profit organization, dedicated to celebrating the best in science, history and other factual programming. With a remarkable 2-to-1 producer-to-broadcaster attendance ratio, exceptional networking events and opportunities, and dynamic sessions produced by leading industry insiders, the Congress’ annual event has become a must-attend gathering for producers, broadcasters and distributors working in factual television. Most recently held in Florence, Italy (2008), New York, USA (2007), Manchester, UK (2006), and Tokyo, Japan (2005), the WCSFP will be held, this year, from December 1 – 4 in Melbourne, Australia.
This is a republishing of the WCSFP e-newsletter originally sent to subscribers on 8 October 2009.