True North‘s development producer Darrell Brown has made it onto the shortlist for this year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest ‘First Cut Pitch’ competition as, for the second year running, Channel 4 sets out to reward one talented film maker with a 60’ commission.

Carla Wright – another very familiar face at True North – has also made it onto the shortlist of five finalists from across the whole of the UK – a great showing for True North and a fantastic endorsement for the brilliant talent in the Yorkshire area.

The five finalists have already submitted a programme idea and short tape.  Now each of them must produce a three minute film based on an open-ended Channel 4 brief. Each person will introduce, show and discuss their films in front of a Doc/Fest audience and a panel of executive producers on June 9th, who together will decide who they think is the most promising director and award the prize at the end of the pitch event.

The successful director will then go on to receive a 1 x 60’ First Cut commission offer from Channel 4 in 2014 /15, as well as £5,000 development cash paid for by the Channel 4 Alpha Fund.

Commenting on the news, Darrell said: “It’s great to be named on this shortlist at Sheffield Doc/Fest, as well as getting the opportunity to pitch to some of the key people at Channel 4 documentaries. First Cut is a fantastic way to get your first experience making a network one hour film, with the potential to see that idea taken to air, it’s something that I’m keen to put all my energy and imagination behind.”

Sheffield Doc/Fest will take place from June 7^th – 14^th, 2014 and is supported by mainstream broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, with a wide range of sessions and events taking place across the week. The full schedule of speakers will be released on May 8^th with passes available to buy at www.sheffdocfest.com.

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