Master's Pitch 2019

Award winning producer, director and writer of blue chip factual programming; premium content developer; natural history illustrator; moderator and trainer. Loves dinosaurs, Neanderthals and B movie monsters. Her films have appeared on most broadcast networks including National Geographic, BBC, Discovery, ABC, PBS, ARTE, NDR and CBC. She is a consultant and freelance producer for Terra Mater Factual studios in Vienna.

Kathrin Brinkmann studied Applied Dramatic Arts in Giessen, Germany. From 1994 she has been commissioning editor for the European Culture Channel ARTE and ZDF/Das Kleine Fernsehspiel, responsible for the development and production of ARTE “Theme Evenings”. She has worked on new programme formats for “Quantum”, the Television Workshop of Das Kleine Fernsehspiel/3Sat. Since 2000 she is a member of the new production department ARTE THEMA and ARTE CULTURE within ZDF.

After finishing her studies, Margje de Koning made all sorts of documentaries for many different broadcasting companies for 12 years. In 2004 Margje de Koning became a part time teacher at the Culture & Media studies (department Film& Television at the University of Amsterdam). In August 2004, Margje de Koning became Commissioning Editor for a documentary slot of 52’ docs. This meant producing and co-producing creative single 52'-documentaries on contemporary social, social-cultural and moral issues with a strong human interest angle. Since January 2005 Margje de Koning has been responsible for the Television Department of IKON and on January 2012 she became Head of TV, Radio and New Media programming at IKON. From January 2016 IKON has been incorporated within EO with Margje de Koning as Commissioning Editor Documentaries for EO, JDocs and IKONdocs.

I am a senior consultant who specializes in the business of the documentary and unscripted video niche. My clients include leading producers, networks like Discovery & BBC, foundations, investors and governments. I recently executive produced a Smithsonian / BBC biodoc on Jonas Salk and the race to develop the polio vaccine. My film is hosted by Bill Gates. Also, read my free, newsletter, DocumentaryBusiness.com.

Alex is Head of Owned Channels at Little Dot Studios, a next generation broadcaster and producer where he oversees a team of 15 staff working across more than 20 channel brands. Alex oversees the strategic development of the channels as they expand onto new platforms, syndicate content to 3rd party VoD services and expand their commissioning, production and brand partnership opportunities.

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. Grazyna Krupa is a creative media executive with over 20 years experience in the development, production and commissioning of factual programming, digital series and documentaries. She oversees CBC`s Arts programming strategy, live cultural awards and is a key member of the programming and development team for all Unscripted projects at the CBC.

Richard Ladkani, a critically acclaimed Austrian director and cinematographer, has won numerous international awards. Two of his films were shortlisted for an Academy Award. His latest feature, the National Geographic doc SEA OF SHADOWS, executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival 2019. His earlier films include the Netflix Original THE IVORY GAME and THE DEVIL’S MINER.

Worked with public service for over 20 years with a special focus for online and cross-media development and online/on-demand publishing. Previously at Swedish Yle as head of development and head of programme for the on-demand service Yle Areena. Notable work as producer/director; "The Norden" (6x30min for Yle, SVT, NRK, DR and Netflix), 2015 and "Breaking the Cycle" (Yle, NRK, DR, SVT and Netflix worldwide, 2017. Currently working as executive producer (online & development) at Swedish Television (SVT).

Ava works in MUBI's content team with a focus on platform acquisitions, and has recently joined the company's newly formed production department where she is involved in script development.

Esther van Messel, born 1965 in Vienna, is based in Zurich and holds a BfA from the Tel Aviv University. She headed Warner Bros. Israel and from 1992 produced feature films and documentaries in Zurich. Since 1998, she runs FIRST HAND FILMS for production, global sales and theatrical distribution. Today, First Hand Films have been seen by many hundred millions of people.