At the NHU, we’re passionate about telling original and compelling stories from nature to inspire audiences across the planet. To uncover those brilliant new stories and make emotionally engaging films, we’re always looking to encourage and grow new talent with different perspectives."
BBC Studios Natural History Unit has announced a new talent initiative that will see the award-winning unit invest £1m over three years to develop and support aspiring natural history filmmakers in the UK and around the world.
The initiative, part of BBC Studios’ ongoing commitment to nurture, diversify and attract new production talent, will advance the NHU’s drive towards a more sustainable and inclusive global wildlife filmmaking industry.
In places where the NHU is filming, the initiative will fund opportunities for locally based production talent to access in-country training, offer field experience working with NHU teams on location, and invest in local talent to attend UK-based training courses.
Building further on in-country collaborations, there will also be an allocation of funds to ensure local language versions of NHU productions are made available for local viewings in communities who would otherwise have no means of accessing this content.
The £1m investment will build on BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s long-standing commitment to provide production and craft training, including over 50-years of camera bursaries that have launched the careers of some of the industry’s leading wildlife camera talent – and the unit’s successful 12-year collaboration with the University of West England to deliver the BBC-accredited MA in Wildlife Filmmaking, featuring mentoring and masterclasses provided by NHU staff.
The new scheme’s in-country training and field initiatives are already in progress with locally based emerging talent working on Kingdom, a major new NHU landmark series for BBC One and BBC America, set in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Recruitment for multiple placements on other NHU series is currently underway.
Jonny Keeling, Head of BBC Studios Natural History Unit, said: “At the NHU, we’re passionate about telling original and compelling stories from nature to inspire audiences across the planet. To uncover those brilliant new stories and make emotionally engaging films, we’re always looking to encourage and grow new talent with different perspectives. This new investment will reinforce our commitment to attracting and growing those exciting new wildlife filmmakers.”
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For further information: Yvette Dore, Communications Lead, Natural History Unit - Yvette.dore@bbc.com
About BBC Studios Natural History
The Natural History Unit is part of BBC Studios, the principal commercial arm of the BBC, returning £200m annually to the BBC Group to support the licence fee.
BBC Studios Natural History Unit produces the world’s most iconic natural history programmes, such as Blue Planet II and Planet Earth II, which have been watched by more than a billion people globally. Ranging from technically challenging live shows and super-landmarks to long-running series and children’s content, The Natural History Unit programmes include Seven Worlds, One Planet presented by Sir David Attenborough to Dynasties, Blue Planet Live, Springwatch, Andy’s Aquatic Adventures and third-party commissions for Discovery, Apple, NBC, National Geographic, and BBC America.
About BBC Studios
BBC Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group with profits (EBITDA) of £226 million on sales of £1.6bn (21/22). Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents, with three-quarters of its revenues from non-BBC customers including Discovery, Apple and Netflix. Around 2,400 hours of award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, Bluey and Doctor Who. BBC.com, BBC Studios’ global digital news platform, has 139 million unique browser visits each month.
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About BBC Centenary
Since its first broadcast in 1922, the BBC has championed storytelling and built a reputation for innovation and quality. Across TV, radio and online, its output has had a significant impact on broadcasting and society, shaped social attitudes and demonstrated that the BBC has been a constant pioneer from its inception to the present day. As the BBC marks its centenary in 2022 it will mark the occasion with a series of special events and programmes to celebrate the unique role it plays in public life and reflecting its to inform, educate and entertain audiences in the UK and increasingly around the world.