Session Producers : World Congress of Science and Factual Producers

Session Producers

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Alison Leigh, Editorial Director, WCSFP/Independent Producer, Leigh Brown Productions (Australia)

SESSION PRODUCERS

Valérie Abita, Producer, ZED (France)
Marie-Pierre Aulas, Producer, Gedeon Programmes (France)
Mathieu Béjot, Executive Director, TV France International (France)
Véronique Bernard, President, Iliad Entertainment (USA)
Tom Brisley, Creative Director, Arrow Media (UK)
Margie Bryant, Executive Producer, Serendipity Productions (Australia)
Allan Butler, Executive Producer, National Geographic Channel (USA)
Andrea Cross, Independent Producer/Writer/Director (Germany)
Fabrice Esteve, Producer, YUZU Productions (France)
John Farren, Creative Director, 360production (UK)
Steve Gamester, Director of Development, Specialist Factual, Entertainment One Television (Canada)
Clare Handford, Specialist Factual Executive, Nutopia (UK)
Paul Heaney, President and Managing Director, Cineflix Rights (UK)
Rudolph Herzog, Producer/Director (Germany)
Nicky Huggett, Head of Development, Windfall Films (UK)
Claire Jager, Investment & Development Manager, Documentary, Screen Australia (Australia)
Christine Le Goff, Producer, Crescendo Films (France)
Celia Lowenstein, Producer/Director (USA)
Stephanie McArthur, Forum and Market Manager, Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (Canada)
Liz McLeod, Executive Producer, ITV Studios (UK)
Stéphane Millière, President, Gedeon Programmes (France)
Judy Rymer, Producer & Director, Rymer Childs (Australia)
Robert Salvestrin, VP of Presales and Co-Productions, Gedeon Programmes (France)
Lara Velho, Executive Producer/Director, Terra Brasilis Filmes (Brazil)
Meg Villarreal, Director, US Independents (USA)
Melanie Wallace, Senior Series Producer, NOVA, WGBH TV (USA)

Testimonials

None of the other conferences, festivals and markets on the global circuit can rival the unique advantages of the WCSFP. It’s stimulating, enjoyable and thought provoking – both in the sessions and in the unrivalled networking opportunities.
— John Smithson, Creative Director,, Arrow Media
No other TV market or festival comes close to matching the Factual Congress for the liveliness of its socialising, or the topicality of its coverage of the issues that affect us all.
— Martin Davidson, Commissioning Editor, History and Business Programming,, BBC
The panels are terrific and the networking opportunities are spectacular. I’d highly recommend the congress to any producers interested in the art and craft of serious quality factual programming.
— Dawn Porter, Founder,, Trilogy Films
There are few events in the world of Factual where decision makers are so easily accessible and receptive, ready to discuss in an informal and relaxed way, even with strangers, ideas and projects. This spirit and atmosphere makes WCSFP so special.
— Pierre-François Gaudry, Author/Director/Producer,, Mona Lisa Productions
For me it is a fantastic (and my favorite) professional network experience with a very inspiring community. And I can honestly say: Every single WCSFP I visited in the last 10 years gave birth to something new.
— Thomas Zwiessler, General Manager,, STORY HOUSE Productions
2010 was my first year at WCSFP and I had no idea what to expect. What I discovered was the most friendly and fun market that I’ve ever been to.
— Brent Montgomery, Co-Owner,, Leftfield Pictures
Even the beginners can feel free to participate on the panels, discussions and approach the executives in a friendly and receptive atmosphere. I recommend it to everyone who is looking for a kick off to their business!
— Lara Velho, Executive Producer/Director,, Terra Brasilis Filmes
I’ve been to a fair number of conferences over the past decade. At some I’ve caught myself wishing I was elsewhere. But the WCSFP is different, a genuine highlight of the year!
— Rudolph Herzog, Producer/Director,, Brümmer & Herzog Filmproduktion
I found open and honest discussions between broadcasters and producers about what is possible, what is viable and how we might work together to provide better factual programming in the future. As an environment to gather information about the state of factual programming internationally, understand trends and develop a network to work through it was invaluable.
— Simon Taylor, Producer,, Periphery Films
For an independent producer WCSFP offers a more informal atmosphere to catch up with the best in broadcast, distribution and production.
— Kylee Ingram, Head of Production,, Australian Documentaries
WCSFP is fantastic. I don’t know any other industry event with such a great lineup of sessions. Checking out the presentations and discussions is a surefire way to catch up with the trend of science and factual programs in the world.
— Hideki Tazuke, Senior Producer,, Special Content Development Center NHK