BBC Three Unveils New Documentary Opportunity

BBC Three, BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen have partnered to launch a new opportunity to produce a documentary boxset.

The new creative scheme will give one independent production company the chance to produce and deliver a 3×30-minute documentary boxset for BBC Three and BBC Three Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland-based suppliers are invited to pitch documentary series ideas that reflect the lives of local 16- to 24-year-olds, with themes that make the story relevant to young people throughout the U.K.

Expressions of interest will be accepted through May 11, and suppliers that wish to apply will need to fulfill certain criteria based on their experience. After the closing date, the BBC Three and BBC Northern Ireland team will then select up to six companies to enter a period of paid development and project scoping. Successful companies will be invited to pitch ideas in front of a team from BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Three.

Previous initiatives launched through the partnership of BBC Three, BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen delivered The Fast and the Farmer-ish and Stitch, Please!

Fiona Campbell, controller at BBC Three, said: “Our latest partnership with BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen reinforces the BBC’s continued commitment to developing the pipeline and providing opportunities for the creative sector in the nation. Previous collaborations have delivered brilliant results, and we can’t wait to see what documentary ideas are in store for us this time around.”

Eddie Doyle, head of content commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland, said: “Our partnership with BBC Three and Northern Ireland Screen has already provided amazing opportunities for the Northern Ireland creative sector and brought some great content to audiences around the U.K. This latest venture is both a fantastic chance for a local indie to gain real network experience and exposure and for more Northern Ireland stories to be seen around the U.K. and beyond.”

Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Three and launch this latest initiative for local indies. Our creative sector is bursting with great ideas, and this is a fantastic opportunity to get local stories out to a much wider audience. We look forward to seeing some exciting projects come through.”