Channel 4 announces new editor and changes to First Cut

Deputy Head of Factual Nick Mirsky today announces the appointment of Lina Prestwood as Commissioning Editor for First Cut and changes to the format of this key documentary strand, which showcases films by up-and-coming directors. The running time for future First Cut commissions will increase to 60 minutes and they will air in a later slot on Channel 4 - either 10 or 11pm.

Mirsky explains the changes: "The purpose of First Cut is to develop fresh creative directing talent who can go on to direct prime-time one-hour documentaries.  After consulting with some of the production companies who have supported First Cut directors, we believe that by increasing the running time to 60 minutes and providing post-watershed slots we are better preparing them for the next step in their careers.

"The feedback we have had is that it can be hard for up-and-coming directors to demonstrate their skills in a pre-watershed 30 minute slot. These new slots will allow greater freedom in the subject matter they can explore and better enable them to produce more ambitious work and showcase their storytelling and film-making skills."

Prestwood joined Channel 4's Factual commissioning team in March this year to oversee 4 Goes Mad,  a bold season of prime-time programming this summer challenging mental health stigma and discrimination. She will now have responsibility for commissioning all First Cut films.

Mirsky says: "Lina's commitment to new talent and her enthusiasm for ambitious television make her exactly the right person to be at the helm of First Cut at what is a very exciting moment in the development of the strand.  Her instincts to be supportive and encouraging go hand in hand with her commitment to innovation and imagination.  I am confident that a new generation of documentary directors will find it a privilege and a pleasure to work with her."

Lina says: "The move to an hour and a post-watershed slot represents an exciting new opportunity for the best emerging directors to really make their mark on the channel.  More visible than ever, the new First Cut demonstrates Channel 4's on-going commitment to new and diverse talent. I'm excited to be looking after the strand which will continue be a magnet for intelligence and innovation and more than ever reward the bold and ambitious."

The £1m budget for First Cut is ring-fenced and Channel 4 is continuing to invest in this integral part of Channel 4's documentary offering. It is expected that around 10 one-hour films will be commissioned for the strand for broadcast in 2013. On average, the investment in each hour-long film is likely to double to around £100k.