UK public broadcaster the BBC has used the Edinburgh TV Festival to unveil “a new commissioning opportunity”, with indie producers invited to pitch current affairs docs for BBC Three which will be made available via YouTube and BBC iPlayer.
In total, five successful qualifying Indies will have the opportunity to each make one single current affairs documentary for BBC Three. This initiative will also involve working alongside colleagues in the BBC Nations where relevant.
Fiona Campbell, controller, youth audience, BBC iPlayer & BBC Three, said: “We are looking for a maximum of five stand out films from five different indies that uncover arresting characters, voices or perspectives that will resonate amongst 16-34’s in the UK. We want indies to come to us with ideas that explore a riveting world, tell a gripping story, or show confronting perspectives that reflect issues facing young Brits today.”
Nasfim Haque, head of content for BBC Three, added: “We want to find original stories, that enhance 16–34-year-olds understanding of today’s world and reflect life across the UK in the 2020s. The ideas should have original journalism at their heart and the content should provide viewers with a new and timely insight on the modern world.”
Examples of one-off docs in this space on BBC Three in previous years include Inside Britain’s Kidnap Gangs, The Secret World of Sexual Health Clinics, Shame in the Game, Defending Digga D, Nudes4Sale, Hunting the Rolex Rippers, Secrets of the Multi-Level Millionaires and Hard Up. Further details, including eligibility criteria and how to submit ideas will be published on the BBC Commissioning website next month.
