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Sheffield Doc/Fest, 30 October -5 November 2006: Sneak Preview

The Sheffield DocFest is just four months away, so we thought you would like to see a sneak preview of what we have got lined-up.

Our programme of over 75 new international documentary films will showcase some of the greatest talent working in the genre today.

Renowned filmmaker, Paul Watson will accompany the World Premiere of his latest film, Making a Documentary, MAD (working title), to Sheffield. The documentary presents a savage portrait of Dickensian poverty and alcoholic abuse in Blairite time. Watson will also present a masterclass, which will be sure to be one of the most controversial sessions in the festival.

Joe Angio's How To Eat Your Watermelon In White Company (And Enjoy It) follows the life of the talented, inspirational, womanising renegade Melvin van Peebles. (UK Premiere).

Wide Awake is Alan Berliner's (Nobody's Business, The Sweetest
Sound) uniquely personal tour through his life-long obsession with insomnia (UK Premiere).

In Blockade, Sergei Loznitsa (Landscape) newly assembles Russian archive footage about the siege of Leningrad during World War II, transcending the historic events to deliver a breathtaking reanimation of reality. (UK Premiere)

The DocFest looks forward to welcoming legendary filmmakers Nick Broomfield and Kim Longinotto who will curate a special film strand for 2006.

This year's industry sessions programme is stronger than ever. A
new marketplace initiative will be the MeetMarket, an opportunity to have scheduled one on one pitch meetings with the many buyers attending the festival.

Don't miss the The Sharp End – aimed at programme makers hungry for commissioning, co-production and distribution information.

The Channel 4 Interview is with Stephen Lambert, Chief Creative
Officer of RDF Media and creator of hit shows like Wife Swap and
Faking It.

This year Sheffield celebrates BBC documentary slots Arena and
Storyville in the A Doc Is For Life – Not Just For Television
masterclass featuring Nick Fraser (Storyville) and Anthony Wall
(Arena).

Full programme announced in mid-autumn.