I was struck by seeing in the Linkedin post of Naomi Sesay who recently left Channel 4 that she's involved developing the first female-led Smart City in Matamp, Sierra Leone. While the news reaction to her post seemed to focus on what she called the rebounding backlash to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives that she had worked hard for in her time at Channel 4 - and of course it was important that she spoke out about that - there was less attention on her big idea. Like a lot of freelancers, I spend most of my time looking for work and opportunities. I've been trained to 'think of programme ideas' - and that's still the dominant view of creativity. Recently I've started thinking about creative business ideas that can scale. So rather than obsessing about a single production - which is usually dependent on a single commissioner and is crazily competitive - I'm looking to draw on my knowledge and experience to think bigger. Right now I'm looking to help in the development of audi

I've come to the end of a couple of market weeks, at the UK's Sheffield Doc/Fest and France's Sunnyside of the Doc. Both full of networking opportunities, pitching, market knowledge, and panel discussions. Plus socialising over beer, wine and tea - an essential part of the business! I leave both events with a long list of to-dos, as it's all about the follow-up - you start so many conversations at a market, but what matters is how you continue them. My stack of business cards from previous markets is testimony of many leads un-followed up - now I keep an electronic record of people met and conversations started, and make sure in the days following the market to send a quick email or message. Turning a thought into an idea, then writing it up into a project and finding partners to collaborate with is a process with plenty of pitfalls, but getting the ideas out there and just putting one foot in front of the other is the only way I know of doing it. Once you have an idea in its simplest

TV, film and all kinds of AV content are firstly all about ideas development. It all starts with an idea on a page, however that idea comes about. And I'm always looking for ways to share my expertise to help for people, projects and companies reach their potential. I'll be at Sunnyside of the Doc as part of the Experts Board - available for meetings if you need guidance on how Sunnyside works, or how to approach other territories that I have experience in, or advice on a particular project . It's always good to meet new people, and the Sunnyside market makes for a relaxed environment. You never know what will come of it. Here's the link to book through the Sunnyside event and check who it's aimed at. https://www.sunnysideofthedoc.com/news/ask-the-experts-at-sunny-side-of-the-doc-2025/ Of course, I'm also available if you want to hire me for more focussed and longer advice and development help. It's tough out there and another perspective on your development slate may be useful. Make u

Three weeks to go to the opening night - I'm there from Wednesday evening to Saturday afternoon. Here's what I'm looking forward to: Watching films! (obviously) Combative/unafraid/provocative discussions and debates The sense of history from the characterul venues - the Crucible, Cutlers Hall, Channing Hall, all venues that express the industrial past of Sheffield and its 'maker' present Finding like-minded people to collaborate with (ideas are best developed together, aren't they?) Being somewhere international and inclusive. Filmmakers from over 70 countries attend to showcase their work, pitch ideas, and build partnerships. Seeing some of the live performances, talks, and art experiences that connect documentary to theatre, music, and digital art. Finding support in the AI storm Moderating the panel at the Documentary Film Council meeting on Saturday morning How about you? What am I missing? And if you're there, I'd be very happy to meet.

Walking around the beautiful galleries of Somerset House last weekend demonstrated the unique power of photography when artfully printed and exhibited - the experience often took my breath away. The setting and people watching might have had something to do with it - Somerset House really is the most special place. I went on three separate days to the fair (shout out to my sister Sheila who got me a VIP pass), and managed to cover most of the fair in that time. I have photography in my blood - it was my late father's profession and it's still how I feel most creative.(Do also check out Habie Schwarz' photos on Instagram from our Sunday visit there together). So it was three days to reflect on the kind of images of the world that we can now capture, and how we use them in film. Pictures that are worth a thousand words (the length of this blog post). Images that - if used in a documentary might be fleeting, or in some way a background to 'the story' or something that a protagonist was s

Visiting the Media Production and Technology Show at Olympia in London for two full days of panels, equipment demos, and conversations.