Channel 4 Renews C4 BRITDOC Foundation Funding

21 January 2010

Channel 4 today announced that it is to extend its funding of The Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation. 

With the current deal coming to an end, funding has been agreed to at least 2012 - a commitment of £400,000 a year for a slate of ambitious feature documentaries.

The Channel4 BRITDOC Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation, borne out of Channel 4's documentary department, with a remit to create new funding and distribution models for British made documentary films.

Over the past 4 and a half years, the Foundation has funded award-winning films such as Chosen (BAFTA), Afghan Star (double Sundance winner) and We Are Together (Tribeca winner), The Yes Men Fix the World (Berlin winner) Here's Johnny (Double Grierson winners) and powerful campaigning films like The End of the Line.

Kevin Lygo, Channel 4 Director of Television and Content, said:

"Channel 4 is proud to support the next generation of documentary film makers both on screen and through the Foundation. This is vital if we want Britain to remain the home of the brightest documentary talent. We are delighted to extend our support of the Foundation into a new decade."

The Foundation's films have screened on Channel 4, More4, at cinemas, online, on broadcasters around the world, including HBO and ARTE, and on dvd. Celebrated documentarian Roger Graef commented: "The value of the Foundation to independent filmmakers grows in inverse proportion to shrinking budgets. It's needed more than ever."

The Foundation also brokers new relationships between filmmakers, NGOs and the commercial sector to deliver new British documentary films through initiatives such as the Good Pitch. 

Cara Mertes, director of the Sundance Institute Documentary Program added:

"The Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation has been a great innovator in the social issue documentary sector and we are enthusiastic partners in the Good Pitch."

Although the Foundation works with the best British talent, there is a special emphasis on developing first time directors. Last year the Foundation re-launched Channel 4's website for short documentary 4docs as part of its work with new talent.

Havana Marking, first time feature director of foundation-backed Sundance winner Afghan Star, said: "the film might not have been made at all if it wasn't for their support and belief. The foundation has a global understanding of this industry and this enabled me to push the film to extraordinary levels and reach a prestige and audience I would never have imagined."

Jess Search, Chief Executive Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation, said:

"The Foundation has had a close and productive relationship with Channel 4 from the beginning. Despite budgets being cut everywhere, their involvement with the Foundation shows their steadfast commitment to documentary as a key part of British cultural life."

 Notes to Editors

• The Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation was launched in 2006.