30 Minutes with Andrew Carl Wilk
Andrew Carl Wilk, EVP of Programming Production & News, National Geographic Channel

30 Minutes with Anna Glogowski
Anna Glogowski, Director of Documentaries, Canal +

30 Minutes with Bryan Smith
Bryan Smith, EVP Programming & Production, National Geographic Channels International

30 Minutes with Carl Lindahl
Carl Lindahl, VP of Historical Programming, The History Channel

30 Minutes with Dan Salerno
Dan Salerno, VP of Programming Discovery Channel, Discovery Networks

30 Minutes with Ingegerd Pesonen
Ingegerd Pesonen, Head of International Programme Acquisitions, YLE

30 Minutes with Mary Ellen Iwata
Mary Ellen Iwata, VP Development & Special Projects TLC, Discovery Networks

30 Minutes with Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson, Director Documentary Programming, HBO

30 Minutes with Yves Jeanneau
Yves Jeanneau, Director of the Documentary Unit, France 2

30 Minutes with Paola Freccero
Paola Freccero, Senior Vice President Film Programming, Sundance Channel.

THE ABCs OF PBS
In layman’s terms a look at how the PBS system works:

• What pitfalls exist in working with PBS or a member station?
• What kind of marketing support can PBS or a member station offer?
• What programming are you currently looking for?
• What is the evaluation process?
• Average license fee? Rights?
• What else is a producer required to submit to fulfill their contract obligations aside from the actual production

Moderator:
Greg Diefenbach, VP of Program Development, Devillier Donegan Enterprises
Panelists:
Terry Bryant, Vice President & Chief Content Officer TV & Digital Media, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Alyce Myatt, Vice President Programming, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
David Rabinovitch, VP of Production, KCTS Television
Zvi Shoubin, Vice President MPT Networks Department, Maryland Public TV

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ARTS PROGRAMMING: WHERE ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES?
Finding a home for arts programs can be a challenge, but not an impossibility. Hear about some of the slots that the new digital channels are programming:

• What is the average cost of a one hour arts program?
• What kind of license fee is that one hour getting?
• Has there been an upswing in popularity of arts programming internationally?
• Does arts programming travel well?

Moderator:
Vincent Kralyevich, President & Creative Director, Kralyevich Productions Inc.
Panelists:
Charles Derbyshire, Director of Acquisitions & Original Specials, Bravo/IFC
Glenn DuBose, Sr. Director of Fiction & Performance Programming, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
Olaf Grunert, Head of Theme Evenings, ZDF Enterprises
Barbara Hall, VP, Business Development, Hallway Group Productions
Kris Slava, VP Aquisitions & Scheduling, TRIO Network

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BREAKING INTO EUROPE
An elusive territory for the non-European producer, join in a panel discussion on how to successfully break into this market.

• What is the best way to get a European broadcaster to commission a program from a non-European producer?
• How can a non-European take advantage of financing or tax credits in countries in Europe?
• Where should a producer start?
• What country offers the best opportunities right now?

Moderator:
Bill Nemtin, Managing Director, Lark International
Panelists:
Olaf Grunert, Head of Theme Evenings, ZDF Enterprises
Yves Jeanneau, Director of the Documentary Unit, France 2
Stefano Tealdi, Partner Executive Producer, Stefilm
Leslie Wiener, Independent Producer

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CANADIAN DIGITAL CHANNELS
A new crop of digital channels launched in Canada in early September, many of them Canadian versions of already existing US channels through joint venture agreements. What opportunities do these channels create for independent producers? Which ones will survive and how does Canadian content regulations affect their programming strategies.

Moderator:
Mary Ellen Armstrong, Publisher, RealScreen Magazine
Panelists
Lyse Lajoie, Director of Programming, One; the Body Mind & Spirit Channel
Johanna Montgomery, Director of Programming, The Independent Film Channel Canada
Christina Pochmursky, Program Director, Documentary Channel
Barbara Williams, Sr VP of Lifestyle Programming, Alliance Atlantis Broadcasting

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COMPASSION OR PASSION: RISKING THEIR LIVES TO TELL THE STORY
Hear from some of the most courageous producers who truly risked life and limb to make their film. Driven by their emotions, these producers went beyond the call of duty so the rest of the world could witness what they did.

Moderator:
Vivian Schiller, Sr Vice President, CNN Productions
Panelists:
Peter Bergen, Journalist,
Sorious Samura, Journalist/Presenter, Insight News TV
Gary Scurka, President/Investigative Producer, Enterprise Telefilm Inc.
Charles Tudor, Producer/Director, Tudor Kahwagi Inc.
Robert Young Pelton, Author & Filmmaker

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CONTRACT PITFALLS
Free legal advice! What you should look out for in contracts so they don't come back to haunt you later.

Moderator:
Sylvia Strobel, Sr Partner, Lehmann Strobel PLC
Panelists:
Bob Freedman, Partner, Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard LLP
Ed Hersh, SVP Documentaries & Specials, Court TV
J Stephen Sheppard, Partner, Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard LLP
Jeff Tuchman, Director/Writer, Documania Films

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COPRODUCTION CASE STUDIES
Often a long and bumpy ride, coproductions are like water and air to the documentary producer. Three large multi-partner projects will be presented:

• How was the cash flow managed in the coproduction?
• What cultural or regional aesthetic challenges were encountered?
• Were any production treaties or tax credits accessible through the partners on this project?
• What pitfalls were encountered?
• How were the rights divided?

Moderator:
Les Harris, President, Canamedia Production Ltd
Case study presenters:
Corisande Albert, Producer Director, TransAtlantic Films & Eileen O'Neill, VP Programming, Discovery Health Channel
Neil Harraway, Head of Production, NHNZ
Huw Walters, Head of Co-Productions, S4C International
Julian Ware, Head of ITN Factual & Executive Producer, ITN Factual

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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING: ‘A+’ or a Big Fat ‘F’
Is there truly the potential for success in the field of educational programming? A look at the following issues that face the educational producer:

• Working with curriculum restrictions?
• Rights clearances for productions used in schools
• Companion pieces like books and videos
• Accessing government funding
• Is there really a broadcast market for this programming or are other non-fiction projects being repurposed as ‘educational programming’?
• What broadcasters are buying educational programming and what can they pay?

Moderator
Alyce Myatt, Vice President Programming, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
Panelists:
Frank Batavick, Chief Content Officer/Vice President Acquisitions, Films for the Humanities & Sciences
Tracy Mitchell, VP of Productions & Acquisitions, Schlessinger Media
Sandra Sheppard, Director of Childrens & Educational Programming, Thirteen/WNET

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FILMMAKER TURNS ENTREPRENEUR
In the cable documentary field, a lot of filmmakers have had to set up their own companies to create programming. They've had to go from assignment filmmaking to dealing with payroll, production and E&O insurance, legal considerations, network liaisons, etc. It raises debate between creative and fiscal considerations -- the suits vs. the creative team. As filmmaker running a company how do you manage the two sides?

Moderator:
Tom Perlmutter, Director General English Program Branch, National Film Board of Canada
Panelists:
David Frank, Executive Producer & President, Indigo Films
Brian Kelly, General Manager & Executive Producer, Henninger Productions
Bruce David Klein, President & Executive Producer, Atlas Media Corp.

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FORMATTING GREAT PROGRAMMING: THE KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL NONFICTION FORMATS
Many producers have realized great success with formats in the past few years. Where are some of the hot formats coming from and how do you evaluate their potential for success in other regions of the world?

• What works where?
• How is a format deal structured?
• What creative freedom do you have with the concept?
• Should you use an agent to broker the deal?
• Examples of successful formats will be discussed

Moderator:
Douglas Coblens, SVP & Deputy General Counsel, Discovery Communications Inc
Panelist:
David Tenzer, Agent, Creative Artists Agency
Debbie Supnik, Director of Development, Weller/Grossman Productions (WGP)

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OPPORTUNITIES IN SCANDINAVIA
An overview of the broadcast & production landscape in Scandinavia:

• Is doc production thriving in Scandinavia?
• Are there any treaties in place to make it enticing to work producers?
• Are broadcasters buying documentaries?
• If yes, what kinds?
• What types of docs travel well into this region?
• What is a typical license fee?

Moderator:
Susan Zeller, Assistant Editor, RealScreen Magazine
Panelists:
Olof Dahlberg, Executive Editor/Producer - Current Affairs Documentaries, Sveriges Television
Mette Hoffmann Meyer, Commissioning Editor Documentaries & Factual Programming, TV2 Danmark
Marianne Landin, Managing Director CEO, Scandinature
Ingegerd Pesonen, Head of International Programme Acquisitions, YLE

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HIGHEST RATED DOCS OF THE PAST YEAR:
Case Studies of some of the highest rated documentaries from the past year:

• What made the ratings so good? Marketing? Content? Time-slot?
• What was the show’s demographic?
• If this program was aired in another region, were the ratings equally high?
• How did the production come together? Who were the partners?
• What made the broadcaster interested in the show?

Moderator:
Vincent Kralyevich, President & Creative Director, Kralyevich Productions Inc.
Panelists:
Julie Anderson, Director Documentary Programming, HBO
Greg Diefenbach, VP of Program Development, Devillier Donegan Enterprises
Rick Rodriguez, Executive Vice President International Content, Discovery Networks International
David Royle, SVP Production & Exec Producer EXPLORER, National Geographic Television
John Rubin, Producer, Rubin Tarrant Productions

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INTERNATIONAL FUNDING OPTIONS
A look at some of the international funding sources available to a producer including International Treaties, Foundations, Investors, etc.:

• Where can a producer turn for financing outside of a license fee?
• What kind of criteria does a producer need to meet for foundation financing?
• What international treaties exist for documentary production?
• At what point do your funds kick in?

Moderator:
Chris Haws, The Creative Industries Initiative, International Finance Corporation
Panelists:
Anthony Geffen, Executive Producer - CEO, Atlantic Productions
Patricia Phillips, SVP of International Co-production, Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc
David Weinstein, Senior Program Officer, National Endowment for Humanities Division of Public Programs
Diane Weyermann, Director of International Programs, Sundance Institute

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OUTLOOK IN ASIA
An overview of the current state of documentary programming in Asia:

• What are license fees like?
• What about coproduction opportunities?
• Can a producer thrive in this market?

Moderator:
Janet Han Vissering, Senior Vice President, Programming, National Geographic Channels International
Panelists:
Sayumi Horie, Producer International Co-Production, NHK
Kyoko Kiriyama, Chief Manager Sales, Media International Corporation
Keiko Bang, President Producer, Bang Productions Ltd
Bhuvan Lall, Executive Director, The Indian Broadcasting Foundation

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Pitch It!: LIFESTYLES, ARTS AND SOCIAL DOCS
Four brave producers pitch their Lifestyle, Arts and Social project to our panel of broadcasters. Learn from the success stories, or learn from the rejection - either way you'll pick up do's and don'ts by watching it happen in real time.

Moderator:
Justin Albert, VP Production, Animal Planet
Panelists:
Julie Anderson, Director Documentary Programming, HBO
Hilary Bell, Editor - Documentaries, Channel 4
Maryanne Culpepper, VP of Story Development, National Geographic Television & Film
Anna Glogowski, Director of Documentaries, Canal +
Charlotte Odele, Commissioning Editor - WITNESS Documentary Unit, CBC Television

Pitch It!: NATURAL HISTORY, SCIENCE AND HISTORY
Four more producers pitch their projects to our panel of broadcasters, focusing on the Natural History, Science and History genres.

Moderator:
Justin Albert, VP Production, Animal Planet
Panelists:
Krishan Arora, Senior Commissioning Executive, Independents and Nations, Specialist Factual, BBC
Katherine Carpenter, Senior Executive Producer, Sterling Digital/Rainbow Media
Christine Kuppens, VP Programming, National Geographic Channel
Andrea Meditch, Director Program Development, Discovery Channel
Paulette Moore, Producer, GA & A will be pitching on behalf of Mauricio Velez-Dominguez, Humboldt Institute

POLITICALLY INCORRECT: INDEPENDENT PRODUCER'S RANT
The annual sound-off on everything affecting the independent producer:

• What is the biggest challenge that producers face?
• How has the economic downturn affected business?
• What does the future hold for the independent producer?
• Are the opportunities getting better or worse with the proliferation of digital channels?

Moderator:
Holly Stadtler, President/Producer, Dream Catcher Films Inc
Panelists:
Robert Fiveson, Exec in Charge of Production, Jones Entertainment Group
Louise Rosen, Managing Director/Louise Rosen Ltd. & Vice President, Blue Planet Entertainment Inc
Tim Sparke, Director, Mercury Media International

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PROGRAMMERS SHOWCASE: DISCOVERY NETWORKS
A senior programming exec from each of the Discovery Networks will discuss their current mandate and strategy, including:

• programming they are currently looking for
• holes in their schedule
• how producers should approach them
• the evaluation process they follow
• the kinds of release forms a producer has to sign before discussing ideas with them
• average license fees and rights stipulations
• what else is a producer required to submit to fulfill their contract obligations aside from the actual production

Moderator:
Carol L. Fleisher, Producer/Director, Fleisherfilm Inc
Panelists:
Michael Cascio, Executive Vice President & General Manager Animal Planet, Animal Planet
Doug DePriest, VP of Production & Development, Travel Channel
Roger Marmet, Vice President Programming TLC, TLC
Bob Reid, Senior Vice President & General Manager Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Health Channel
Dan Salerno, VP, Programming, Discovery Channel

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PROGRAMMERS SHOWCASE: SCRIPPS NETWORKS
A senior programming exec from each of the Scripps Networks will discuss their current mandate and strategy, including:

• programming they are currently looking for
• holes in their schedule
• how producers should approach them
• the evaluation process they follow
• the kinds of release forms a producer has to sign before discussing ideas with them
• average license fees and rights stipulations
• what else is a producer required to submit to fulfill their contract obligations aside from the actual production
• percentage of programming that is acquired vs. produced in-house

Moderator:
Sandra Ruch, Executive Director, International Documentary Association
Panelists:
Michael Dingley, VP of Progamming, HGTV
Stephanie Eno, Manager of Programming, Fine Living Network
Kathleen Finch, VP of Programming, Food Network
Bill Sykes, VP of Programming, DIY - Do It Yourself Network

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PROGRAMMING IN THE SHADOW OF SEPTEMBER 11TH
After a major tragedy or major news event, the audience goes through a process that a content provider may or may not be able to respond to. The questions for a producer are the same for a network. How does this affect your project or strategy? In this session, hear research on how audiences have changed and how you can respond to their needs.

Moderator:
Ron McCullagh, Managing Editor, Insight News TV
Panelists:
Hilary Bell, Editor - Documentaries, Channel 4
Darren Campo, VP of Programming & Planning, Court TV
Steven Rosenbaum, Exec Producer, BNNtv.com
Vivian Schiller, Sr Vice President, CNN Productions

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REALITY TV: WHAT ARE THE SURVIVING SHOWS?
Potentially a dying breed, but still getting great ratings - a look at what is on the slate for reality programming:

• What reality programming is currently in the works?
• What about the forecasts that reality is a dying breed? Are broadcasters holding off in investing in more reality fare?
• How does a producer avoid influencing the action? Or does it matter?
• What is the basic screening process for casting?
• When does reality go too far?
• Are ethics a consideration?

Moderator:
Rob Miller, Head of Television, N.S. Bienstock Inc.
Panelists:
Jana Bennett, Executive Vice President & General Manager, TLC-The Learning Channel
David Grant, President, Fox Television Studios
Mark Itkin, Executive Vice President Worldwide Head of Syndication Cable & Non-Fiction Programming, William Morris Agency Inc.

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