When Sue Dando, a veteran Canadian documentary producer and former head of CBC's internationally renowned science and nature series The Nature of Things, received the World Congress Mentorship Award, she said it was the most meaningful recognition of her career.

Dando spent 13 years running The Nature of Things and has worked across Canadian television for more than three decades, producing, directing and overseeing award-winning documentaries and international co-productions. She is now a consultant to the series and remains deeply involved in the international science and factual community.

But for Sue, the award wasn't simply about a career milestone. It recognised something she believes is fundamental to the industry: using your experience to help others find their way.

Nobody Gets There Alone

Ask Sue why she dedicates so much of her time to mentoring, and her answer is immediate.

"Nobody gets there on their own—we all learn from each other."

Throughout her career, Congress has been one of the places where she continues to learn, whether from experienced colleagues or people just entering the industry. Now, she sees mentoring as an opportunity to give something back while helping the next generation develop their own voices.

"It's really exciting to see the skills, the points of view and the different approaches from a new generation, and I want to be there to help them move forward."

Opening Doors

For Sue, mentoring isn't just about offering advice. It's about making introductions.

Many emerging filmmakers already have the talent, she explains. What they often lack is access to the right people.

"I'll give them five or ten names of people working in that field who I think would be open to a conversation."

Sometimes, a simple email or introduction is enough to open a door that might otherwise remain closed.

That philosophy has also shaped workshops she helped establish across Canada for filmmakers from underrepresented communities interested in science and nature programming. The goal was simple: create opportunities for experienced professionals and newcomers to connect.

"It's all about opening doors and making connections—the same things you hope happen at Congress."

Advice for Emerging Filmmakers

Today's industry looks very different from when Sue began her career, but she believes there are still plenty of opportunities for those willing to create their own path.

Rather than waiting for traditional jobs, she encourages young filmmakers to make short films, seek funding where they can, and use those projects to showcase their abilities.

"The young people I see coming in often have quite an entrepreneurial spirit," she says. "A short film can become your calling card."

Why Congress Matters

Having attended Congress for more than a decade, Sue believes one of its greatest strengths is exposing filmmakers to a global community.

Her advice is simple: arrive with ideas, not expectations of closing a deal.

"Go to Congress with some ideas. Don't think you're going to make a sale, necessarily, but just start the conversations and realise there's a whole big world out there."

Those conversations, she says, are where the real value lies.

The Conversations That Change Careers

For Sue, the defining characteristic of Congress has always been its welcoming atmosphere.

She treasures the scheduled meetings—but equally the unexpected encounters that happen over coffee, at dinner or even on the dance floor.

One story perfectly illustrates the point.

Canadian producer Dougal Maudsley met Stephen from Humble Bee during a Congress dinner. A casual conversation turned into an ongoing partnership that ultimately led to several co-productions, including the Emmy Award-winning The Secret World of Sound.

"It was just two people having a great conversation because they sat together at Congress," Sue recalls.

"It doesn't always happen quite so magically, but the fact that that possibility exists is pretty great."

Be Bold

So what advice would she give to someone attending Congress for the first time?

"Be bold."

Introduce yourself. Attend every session you can. Start conversations over coffee. Ask questions. Listen. Learn.

"Don't go in with unrealistic ideas that you're going to make a sale, but you're going to make connections, and that will eventually lead to something."

It's advice that reflects not only Sue Dando's approach to mentoring, but also the philosophy behind the World Congress itself: bringing people together, sharing knowledge and creating the connections that shape the future of science and factual storytelling.

World Congress of Science and Factual Producers will happen in Tallinn from the 9-12 o November, register now: https://www.wcsfp.com/attend/registration