Southern Star Names New Factual Exec

SYDNEY, August 6: BBC
Factual executive Joe Evans has been appointed as the first head of development
for Southern Star Factual, whose credits include Meerkat Manor for Animal Planet.

Evans previously worked
for the BBC, where he was the head of development for documentaries at BBC
Factual in London. He was responsible for winning a range of commissions,
including 20 hours on BBC Three.

Southern Star Factual’s
recent programs include Meerkat Manor for Animal Planet, Atom
for BBC Four, Perfect Weapon
and Lockdown Oz for National
Geographic Channels International and The Warrior’s Guide to Staying Alive for Animal Planet in the U.S. The company is
currently in production on a Dispatches film for Channel 4 and a follow up to Atom for BBC Four.

Clare Birks, the CEO of
Oxford Scientific Films, said: “Joe joins us at a crucial stage in our company
development, with a greater emphasis on delivering great content on a global
scale. He has an instinctive feel for popular television and his role will be
focused on increasing the range and diversity of ideas to our customers both in
the U.K. and internationally.”

—By Jackie Stewart