Commissions offered at Sheffield Doc/Fest

Sky One and Channel 4 are offering commissions to upcoming film makers at this year's Sheffield Doc/Fest.

The event, which runs from November 7-11, is the UK’s key showcase for the international documentary and television industry.

Channel 4's bursary sees six new directors compete in front of a panel of commissioning editors for a chance to make a 24-minute film with the theme of "Truth" for the channel's new talent strand, First Cut. The winner will receive a 10-week freelance placement at a production company to make the film on a budget of £45,000, which includes a £5,000 director's bursary.

Sky One is asking production companies to pitch ideas for a new documentary or factual entertainment series aimed at adults for its 10pm sci-fi slot, to air after Battlestar Galactica. The winning production company will be awarded £5000 to develop their idea for Sky One.