BBC Knowledge NZ to Feature Homegrown Short-Form Docs

LONDON: Through a joint initiative between BBC Knowledge and New Zealand’s Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA), five short-form documentaries from young producers across the country have been selected to air on the channel later this year.

BBC Knowledge NZ launched the initiative in February, coinciding with the channel’s debut, seeking out five true stories from New Zealand factual producers under the age of 30. Five grants were awarded at NZ$5,000 each.

The selected projects, set to air on BBC Knowledge in New Zealand later this year, followed by a debut in Australia are: Strawberries with the Führer, about an 80-year-old woman who discusses growing up in Nazi Germany; Porn and Piety, looking at the two sides of New Zealand’s moral divide; A Bach Somewhere, featuring the story of a New Zealand bach (modest holiday home); Getting It Up, telling the story of one man’s quest to get his sex life back on track; and Lex, about a Hawke’s Bay farmer who doesn’t care what his neighbors think.

Deirdre Brennan, the director of television at BBC Worldwide Australia, said, “We are so proud to showcase the young creative talent that exists in New Zealand. The winning entries demonstrate a fantastic diversity of philosophy and viewpoint across the spectrum of factual entertainment and they’re all a brilliant fit for BBC Knowledge.”

Penelope Borland, SPADA’s chief executive, added, “It’s great to have this initiative come to fruition, resulting in a fantastic and rare opportunity for these short-form documentaries by these young filmmakers to be screened on BBC Knowledge both in New Zealand and Australia.”

David White, producer of one of the winning entries, Lex, commented, “There are so many wonderful people in New Zealand that you never get to see, nor document, but with the help of BBC Knowledge we can bring a little more of New Zealand to the world.”