Sky Atlantic HD launches documentary feature film strand FOOTPRINTS

Showcasing the world’s best documentary film makers in a variety of commissioned, acquired and co-produced feature length documentary films

Sheffield (15 June 2012):  At the Sheffield Doc/Fest Sky’s Head of Factual, Celia Taylor and Acting Director of Sky Atlantic, Naomi Gibney today announced the first two films which will form part of FOOTPRINTS, SKY ATLANTIC HD’s documentary feature film strand.

SKY ATLANTIC HD is spearheading Sky’s commitment to factual programming, as part of Sky’s significant commitment to original content with this major new investment in the production of feature-length documentary films for its customers.

Up to twelve peak time landmark documentaries will form the backbone of the new documentary strand. With the ambition for SKY ATLANTIC HD to become the home of world-class documentary films and film makers, the brief is going out to the world’s best documentary makers to come to the channel with bold ideas.

Projects will be commissioned and acquired exclusively for Sky customers and will receive their TV premieres on SKY ATLANTIC HD.  To make it easier for customers to access the new films, each production will be made available to Sky Atlantic customers via Sky’s on demand services, as well as through Sky Go, offering customers greater choice over when, where and how they watch.

The new documentary films for SKY ATLANTIC HD are complemented by an investment in feature films for a family audience on SKY MOVIES. They form part of Sky’s on-going drive to bring more high-quality, exclusive content to customers and are supported by its commitment to increase investment in home-grown programming to £600 million by 2014, an increase of more than 50% over three years.

 About FOOTPRINTS, Naomi Gibney, Acting Director of Sky Atlantic, said:

“FOOTPRINTS is an ambitious line-up of documentary films from some of the greatest storytellers in the world. What will unite these films is, at their heart, there will be a human story that will leave a mark on the viewer's heart and mind. This strand is an important part of Sky Atlantic's editorial direction and will reinforce our promise to be the home of iconic storytelling."

Celia Taylor, Sky’s Head of Factual, added:

“FOOTPRINTS is an extraordinary and very exciting opportunity to work with the best documentary talent in the world. Through FOOTPRINTS I hope we can bring the best stories and ideas to the screen and provide valuable support to both the British and international documentary community.”

The first original commission for the Footprints strand, THE GRIM SLEEPER comes from multi award-winning documentary maker Nick Broomfield, and follows the case of Lonnie Franklin Jr who is currently awaiting trial for the murders of 10 women over a 25 year period.  Dubbed “The Grim Sleeper” due to a 14 year hiatus in the killings, the killings restarted in 2002, reigniting interest in a case which has become very political in Los Angeles.

Broomfield, best known for his 1998 film Kurt and Courtney is one of the most widely respected film makers in the factual genre, which was further cemented when he was awarded the BAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award for his Contribution to Documentary.

 In addition, SKY ATLANTIC HD also announces the acquisition of AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY, profiling China’s most famous international artist.  The film tells the inside story of a dissident for the digital age who inspires global audiences and blurs the boundaries of art and politics. First-time director Alison Klayman gained unprecedented access to Ai while working as a journalist in China. Her detailed portrait provides a nuanced exploration of contemporary China and one of its most compelling public figures, as well its most outspoken domestic critic.

FOOTPRINTS: THE GRIM SLEEPER is a Lafayette Films production exclusively for Sky Atlantic HD.

FOOTPRINTS: AI WEIWEI: NEVER SORRY is an Artificial Eye film, in association with Sky Atlantic, directed by Alison Klayman.

For further information please contact

Luke Morrison - Publicity Manager, Sky Atlantic HD
T: 020 7032 1479
E: Luke.Morrison@bskyb.com