Registration : World Congress of Science and Factual Producers

Network

The premiere event for science and history broadcast executives and producers, the WCSFP connects you with people who are informed and passionate about the craft and business of factual television. And, you can conduct business in a remarkable 2-to-1 producer-to-broadcaster environment: face-to-face meetings are easy, plentiful and productive. It's no wonder things are relaxed: the event is run by an involved member-run community for factual professionals.

Share & Learn

Leading international producers and broadcasters work collaboratively to develop a full-slate of member-produced panels and talks. This "by-the-industry and for-the-industry" model celebrates the best of the genre and explores contemporary issues without holding back nitty-gritty details (yes, panelists talk about what didn’t work as well as what did). You'll find extraordinary analysis and insight through case-studies of complex programs, feisty intellectual debates, and on-stage interviews that feature production visionaries and top network decision-makers.

Explore

For 16 years the Congress has travelled the world, visiting new cities and always welcoming new professionals into the community. Like recent editions in New York, Manchester and Tokyo, the Florence WCSFP will allow delegates a chance to explore the region's great wealth of history and culture. And, when the business day is over, grab drinks with your colleagues and have some real fun too at our lively evening events -what a concept for a television conference!

Registration

INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION

Registration for this year's World Congress of Science and Factual Producers in Florence is now sold out. Those hoping to still register can submit their request via email to ablack@wcsfp.com and will be notified by November 19 should space become available.

Registration fees cover all conference costs and include:

Access to Congress events and panels from December 1-4
Full roster of parties and receptions
Three lunches
Preferred rates at host venue, The Hilton Florence Metropole, and various other selected hotels
On-demand access to hundreds of recent productions in the Science and Factual Programming Library
Year-round access to the WCSFP Online Community

Regular Rate:

Independent Producers: $1250 CDN* (805 EUR, 1255 USD, 635 GBP)
Broadcaster/Distributors: $1450 CDN* (940 EUR, 1470 USD, 740 GBP)

*Please note that per Italian regulations, a 20% VAT (Value Added Tax) will be added to all registration fees. Depending on your country of origin, you may be able to reclaim the VAT in whole or in part. The WCSFP has partnered with TaxPort in order to assist delegates with VAT reclamation. More information is available here.

For general registration inquiries or problems with the online registration form, please contact Alan Black, Registration Manager (416-203-2155 ext. 227 or ablack@wcsfp.com).

GROUP REGISTRATION (THREE OR MORE)

Is your company planning on sending a group of delegates to Florence this year? If so, the WCSFP is offering a discount for groups of three or more delegates: + Companies sending three or four people will receive a 15% discount on each registration + Companies sending five or more people will receive a 20% discount on each registration

If you wish to register three or more delegates, please contact Alan Black, Registration Manager (416-203-2155 ext. 227 or ablack@wcsfp.com ), before proceeding to the form to obtain your group discount code.

Note:
The World Congress of Science and Factual producers is open to all producers, broadcasters and other professionals working in the creation and distribution of specialist factual media content. Once registered, all delegates are considered members of the organization, and have full voting and participation privileges in the Congress’ annual nominations and elections of its governing Board and editorial Steering Committee. The Congress was conceived and is operated as a members-only event, and is geared to those working in television production and distribution. On occasion, special participants (academics, journalists, artists, etc.) are invited to participate in particular panels and sessions, to help inform a particular topic of discussions. However, in order to help facilitate candid discussion and debate within the industry, all panels and sessions are considered ‘off the record’, and thus are not open to media coverage. Representatives from the WCSFP Steering Committee, Editorial Director Alison Leigh and, on occasion, special keynote speakers are available to the media for advance interviews. To arrange for an interview please contact Jonathan Da Silva, Associate Director, Communications.

Testimonials

WCSFP is a highlight every year on my calendar. The informal vibe leads to non-pressurized commission discussions on one hand, and what can be some spirited discussions or side splitting hilarity in the sessions on the other. Meaningful topics from global warming, teaching evolution, how to make a vat of murky salt water look like amniotic fluid peacefully co-exist with issues like the nature co-production relationships, and how to get that final bit of funding. If you care about the craft of non-fiction films, and like seeing people defend their passionately held views on stage, this is the place for you. It’s group therapy for the filmmakers and net execs alike.
— Chris Hoelzl, Head of Development, Smithsonian Networks
I have been attending the WCSFP since its first edition and I have always considered it as an event not to be missed. It’s not only that the sessions are truly inspiring, that almost everyone in the business is there and that you always end up learning something new, but it is also the friendly and informal atmosphere that makes it a truly professional but at the same time fun and relaxing event. And this time it’s my own country’s turn…I can’t wait to greet you all in Florence.
— Daniela Bagliani, Acquisitions and Coproductions Manager, Documentary Dept., RTI SpA - Mediaset Group
I have been attending the congress for three years and every year I return to find new filmmakers, innovative ideas and lively discussions and workshops. As science is rooted in almost all of National Geographic’s programming, Science Congress continues to be one of our top priorities year after year.
— Bridget Whalen, Vice President, Development, Co-productions, and Acquisitions, National Geographic Channel
The WCSFP is my favorite industry meeting. It’s the mix of interesting people, great panels and sessions and relaxed atmosphere that make them so valuable. Other industry meetings are valuable in their own way, but none have the blend of intellectual zest and sense of humor that mark the WCSFP. I’m looking forward immensely to this year’s gathering.
— Tug Yourgrau, President, Powderhouse Productions
I enjoy WCSFP’s practical focus on the new trends plus the sobering versus inspiring realities facing science programme production today. The inevitable result of this dynamic conference is that we all rise to the challenge. What could be better?
— Ellen Windemuth, Managing Director, Off The Fence
The WCSFP features a unique blend of debates in various lively formats, screenings, case studies and trend spotting. It provides an overview of the global industry, and facilitates business meetings in a very relaxed atmosphere that mixes the fun with the serious. Moreover, every year it allows us to discover a different country and its television landscape. So as an old timer, I would encourage everybody in the science and history film and television industry, and especially the people who’ve never attended, to book a flight to Florence for the first days of December 2008.
— Fabrice Esteve, Producer, DOCSIDE Production
We are proud to act as the Host Broadcaster and to add RAI’s name to the list of other internationally renowned broadcasters like WNET/Thirteen New York, the BBC and NHK that have most recently undertaken this position. We look forward to this year’s event and to joining with the international factual community to debate, do business and to socialize in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
— Giancarlo Leone, Deputy Managing Director, RAI
The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers continues to be one of the most important international gatherings for like-minded filmmakers and producers. What I like most about it is that it is much more than a marketplace - it is a place that provides a singular opportunity for professionals to probe deeply into the creative aspects of our craft. I would not miss it.
— Melanie Wallace, Senior Series Producer, NOVA, WGBH