Who We Are : World Congress of Science and Factual Producers

Who We Are

The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers is a member-run organization that represents science and other factual producers and broadcasters around the world. Administered by an elected steering committee and board of directors, the primary function of the WCSFP is the management of the annual conference. Delegates are able to nominate and vote for steering committee members in elections that take place each year during the Congress.

STEERING COMMITTEE

The primary role of the committee is the co-ordination and management of the annual Congress conference. To achieve this, the committee has sign-off powers on conference content and endorsement of the selection of the Board of Directors.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

As designated by the steering committee, the board of directors administers the affairs of the company including, but not limited to, the efficient expenditure of members’ funds, budgets and annual conference fees.

2010 STEERING COMMITTEE AND BOARD MEMBERS

Peter Arens, Managing Director, Culture and Science, ZDF (Germany) Co-chair
Stuart Menzies, Controller, ABC2 (Australia) Co-chair
Michael Allder, Executive Producer, CBC Science and Natural History Unit, CBC (Canada)
Caroline Behar, Head of Acquisitions and International Co-Productions, France 5 (France)
Tony Chow, Managing Director - Singapore, Off the Fence (Singapore)
Andrew Cohen, Head of Science, BBC (UK)*
Martin Davidson, Commissioning Editor, History and Business, BBC (UK)
Amanda Evans, Executive Director, Screen Pacific (New Zealand)
Beth Hoppe,Executive Producer, Discovery Studios (USA)
Tessa James, Financial Director, Lion TV (UK)*
Ann Julienne, Head of International Development, France Télévisions (France)*
Daryl Karp, Managing Director, Tattooed Media (Australia)*
Uwe Kersken, Managing Director, Gruppe 5 (Germany)
Paul Lewis, President and General Manager, Discovery Channel Canada (Canada)*
Wally Longul, President JKJ-TV International (Canada)*
John Lynch, Words Make Pictures (UK)*
Hideki Tazuke, Senior Producer, Science Programs, NHK (Japan)
Werner Vennewald, Head of Development and Non-Fiction, Vincent TV (Germany)
Marco Visalberghi, Managing Director, Doclab (Italy)
Thomas von Hennet, Vice President, International Co-Production Drama & Factual, ProSiebenSat.1 TV Deutschland GmbH (Germany)*

*Board member

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Alison Leigh, independent producer, Leigh Brown Productions, Australia is the Editorial Director for the WCSFP.

EVENT MANAGEMENT TEAM

The Congress is managed by Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival under the leadership of Executive Director Chris McDonald and Managing Director Brett Hendrie.

Event Producer: Isaac Meyer Odell
Guest Relations Manager: Alan Black
Associate Director, Sponsorship Marketing: Jennifer Hobbs

Testimonials

The best television market for an intriguing mixture of business, development and pleasure.
— Michael Hoff, President & Executive Producer, Hoff Productions
There is nothing quite like WCSFP. There is nowhere better to meet up with your major international coproducers in one hit.
— Kim Shillinglaw, Commissioning Editor, Science and Natural History, BBC
Being given the opportunity to meet all of your potential co-production partners in one spot is an opportunity nobody should miss.
— Alexander Hesse, Head of Department, History and Society , ZDF
Of all the television conferences there is one that is not only more enjoyable, but more useful than all the others - the WCSFP.
— David Glover, Commissioning Editor, Science, Channel 4 Television
While so many conferences these days are dominated by things beginning with M (money, marketing, etc) the WCSFP is still determinedly, gloriously passionate about things beginning with C (content, creativity, etc). Long may it prosper.
— Alex Graham, Chief Executive, Wall to Wall
WCSFP is a fantastic event which always pulls in the biggest names from within the science/factual TV arena… well-organized, easy to navigate and an essential on the calendar of anyone who is working in the science/factual TV space.
— Leila Monks, Director, TVF International
The WCSFP is the greatest opportunity for independent producers to establish a worldwide network for their ideas whether they might be scientific, historical or factual.
— Werner Vennewald, Head of Development and Non-Fiction, Vincent TV

view all testimonials >>

Newsletter

Network

The premiere event for factual broadcasters and producers who are informed and passionate about both their craft and industry
A remarkable 2-to-1 producer-to-broadcaster ratio makes face-to-face meetings are easy, plentiful and productive
Our member-run organization makes for a relaxed environment and an involved community

Share & Learn

Leading international producers and broadcasters collaborate to develop dynamic member-produced panels and talks
The "by-the-industry and for-the-industry" model celebrates the best without holding back nitty-gritty details
Extraordinary analysis and insight through case-studies, feisty intellectual debates, and on-stage interviews with industry visionaries and decision-makers

Explore

For 17 years the Congress has travelled the world, visiting new cities and always welcoming new professionals into the community
Recent editions in Florence, New York, Manchester and Tokyo allowed delegates the opportunity to explore regions rich with history and culture
Grab a drink with your colleagues at our lively evening events - what a concept for a television conference!

2010 World Congress of Science & Factual Producers : Dresden, Germany November 30 — December 3