EXCLUSIVE: Sky UK has forged an initiative to discover the next generation of diverse documentaries after four factual shows were nominated at the BAFTAs.
The Comcast-owned outfit will give £15,000 ($19,200) to three indies with the aim of boosting their development slate and finding docs that can air on Sky.
The best ideas will have development fully funded and the three successful companies will also be given monthly pitching sessions with a commissioning team member for six months.
In order to apply, indies will need to be diverse-owned or diverse-led, with founders, owners, or senior management creatives (e.g. Creative Director, Managing Director) who are members of ethnic minorities, deaf, disabled, and/or neurodivergent.
“Sky is committed to fostering inclusivity in the industry,” said docs boss Poppy Dixon.
“This opportunity is about more than financial support, it is a commitment to mentorship and ongoing dialogue, with the goal of ensuring underrepresented voices stand out on Sky Documentaries.”
Sky had a good BAFTA TV nominations day for docs yesterday, picking up nods for Dublin Narcos and Lockerbie in the factual series category, and David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived and Hatton in single documentary.