ITN Archive and Channel 4 launch documentary talent hunt

A new documentary competition launched today aims to give emerging British documentary filmmakers a golden opportunity to showcase their talent at the new BRITDOC Festival, to be held in Oxford from July 26-28 2006.
The competition is a partnership between ITN Archive and Channel 4 and requires entrants to prepare a pitch for a 3-minute documentary. Entries will use the humble bicycle as their subject matter and will be required to use footage from ITN Archive's extensive collection. The four best ideas will be commissioned by Channel 4 and broadcast in its on going '3 Minute Wonder' slot, airing in July.
ITN Archive is offering free use of the 700,000 plus hours of footage that make up its extensive archive.
Dating back from 1896 to the present day, ITN Archive's collection spans the entire history of moving images, from the first newsreels to the birth of commercial television. ITN Archive exclusively licenses footage from ITN News, Reuters Television, Fox News, Fox Movietone, British Pathé, Channel 4 (UK) and Granada productions along with other specialist sources.
The idea of the bicycle is open to the widest possible interpretation. Filmmakers can focus on a single story or event or combine pieces of archive from many different years. They can take the subject head on with a story about the Tour de France or come at it sideways with a film about a factory in China that happens to make bicycles.
The winning entrants will receive:
•A fixed budget to make a 3-minute film, working with independent production company RAW Television;
•Free use of ITN's archive footage in their film;
•The winning four films will be broadcast in the 3 Minute Wonder strand on Channel 4 in July 2006 and shown on the ITN website;
•The winning films will be screened at BRITDOC 06, a major new documentary festival being held in Oxford from July 26-28;
•Winners will be invited to attend the festival and will receive a free delegate pass, board and lodging at the festival (worth £400);
Peter Dale, Head of More4, said: "Nurturing and encouraging new talent is vital if we want Britain to continue to be the home of the brightest documentary talent, and this competition is a fantastic way of encouraging new filmmakers to get their films on air. The ITN Archive provides a wonderful source of inspiration and I look forward to seeing some exciting and fresh ideas."
(CD/GB)