Conference Overview
The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers (WCSFP) will welcome hundreds of leading international broadcasters and producers to its 16th annual conference in Florence, Italy, from December 1-4, 2008.
Following last year’s record-breaking edition in New York, which sold out weeks in advance and had an astounding 94% of delegates reporting advancement of their projects, the Congress has become a must-attend event for those working in specialist factual television. More than 500 international broadcasters, producers and distributors from more than 24 countries are expected in Florence.
Rai, Radiotelevisione Italiana, Italy’s public service broadcaster, is the Host Broadcaster for this year’s edition.
This year’s WCSFP features an outstanding three-day program of workshops, networking events, pitch sessions, and panels that will reveal emerging content trends and highlight important industry issues. Last year, 197 broadcast representatives attended from such broadcasters as: ABC TV, ARTE, BBC, CBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, Discovery Channel US, Discovery Channel Canada, Discovery Science, France 5, National Geographic Int., NDR, NHK, Rai, Thirteen/WNET and WGBH. The 2007 event maintained a two-to-one ratio of independent producers to broadcasters, ensuring plenty of valuable time for networking and deal-making.
The WCSFP will also feature the return of popular services including commissioning editor lunches, an on-demand video library of delegates’ productions, as well as evening networking events and special social activities that will take advantage of Florence’s many historic and cultural attractions.
The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers is a not-for-profit, member-run organization dedicated to celebrating the best in specialist factual production. Past Congresses have been held in New York (2007), Manchester (2006), Tokyo (2005), Toronto (2004), Paris (2003), Berlin (2002), and Washington, D.C. (2001). It is administered by a board of directors and a steering committee that deals primarily with editorial matters. The 16th annual Congress is managed by Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival on behalf of the WCSFP.
