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DFG Training: Developing Your Factual Idea – Friday 6th August, 2010

"You've written a proposal, or maybe gained some interest in your idea, but most broadcasters, funders, directors and producers will want to see something more before they back your project. There are many ideas around but it takes a lot of work to make the idea into a programme or film - so where do you start? This practical development workshop focuses on moving your idea into actuality, adding depth, possibility and originality to your factual programme or documentary." Led by Nicola Lees (aka TV Mole). Click through for more details.

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Sheffield Doc/Fest Meet Market Call for Entries – Deadline 1st September, 2010

MeetMarket is now open for applications from documentary makers who are looking for funding. It's an opportunity for 60 filmmakers to be matched with interested buyers and meet them one-on-one at the Sheffield Doc/Fest (3rd-7th November 2010). Last year there were 139 international buyersand 70 have already confirmed for 2010. Photo by clagnut CC BY 2.0 Projects - documentary, factual entertainment, art/installation or cross-platform - can be at any stage of development or production and from anywhere in the world. Applications must include a synopsis, 1-minute teaser tape, ballpark budget and biographies of the filmmaker(s). Click through for more information. (Photo by clagnut CC BY 2.0)

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Media Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival, 27th – 29th August 2010

It's that time of year again - when all the great and good (bad and ugly) of TV land descend on Edinburgh for the Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival to let their hair down and provide enough gossip to last for the next year. Whilst not a sales or pitching market, the festival is a great opportunity to network, get the inside track on industry trends and do some celebrity spotting. This year's speakers include: Mark Austin (ITN), Dr Pamela Connelly (Shrink Rap), Katie Price, Steven Moffat (Dr Who), Jimmy Mulville (Hat Trick Productions) and Andy Harries (Wallander / The Royle Family). There's also a special festival version of Got To Dance and a comedy talent competition to find the funniest people behind the cameras. Click through for more information or visit www.mgeitf.co.uk.

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PBS Diversity and Innovation Fund Call for TV Proposals – Deadline Wednesday 15th September

PBS has put out a call for proposals for a new immersive, multiplatform TV series that covers areas such as science, history, travel, natural history and exploration. Proposed series should appeal to a racially and ethnically diverse audience of 40-64 year olds in the USA. They should be developed for primetime with 10 episodes at a cost of less than $375K per hour. PBS will start accepting proposals from Monday 26th July, 2010 and the deadline is Wednesday 15th September, 2010. (Photo by Tracy O under CC BY SA 2.0)

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WESTDOC Conference, Santa Monica, 13th-15th September, 2010 – Get 10% Off

September: back to school and back to work. But just because the summer’s over, it doesn’t mean the sun (and fun) has to stop. Head out to Santa Monica, California for the 2nd WESTDOC Conference AND get 10% off the registration fee with TV Mole. The West Coast Reality and Documentary Conference (September 13-15, 2010) gathers [...]

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Greenlit: Lions -The Truth, BBC2

Lions – The Truth – From political intrigue to a complex social system and unexpected intelligence, Jonathan Scott explores the secret lives of lions in greater depth than ever before. With the help of a team of lion scientists, Jonathan (Big Cat Diary) presents an up-close explanation of the workings of the pride [...]

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Country Focus 101: Sweden

We've already taken a brief look at TV channels in Norway, Australia, Canada and The Netherlands. Now it's time for an at-a-glance guide to the Swedish TV landscape. (Photo By Let Ideas Compete CC BY SA 2.0)

be inspired

• Shukla Bose set up the Parikrma Humanity Foundation from her kitchen table, with the aim of taking education to India's poorest people by educating one slum child at at time. See her talk about her project at TED: #
• Eugene Allen, who died in March 2010 aged 90, grew up under segregation in Virginia but went on to to work as a butler at the White House, where he served eight US presidents from 1952. His wife of 65 years died on the eve of Obama's election, so he had to go to vote alone. Obama's election turned Eugene into a star as the media scrambled to interview him about his life. Read the full article in The Washington Post. And an article about the history of black people in the White House. #
• Mauritania's Nouadhibou Bay is home to some of the world's last Monk Seals. It's also the resting place of around 500 derelict ships; most of which have been abandoned and reported as sunk to insurance companies. The ships are gradually rusting away, polluting the surrounding ocean with diesel and oil, and creating a hazard for other ships.  Illegal immigrants from the Ivory Coast and Senegal try to salvage ship parts in order to build rafts on which they can sail to the Canary Islands; many perish in the attempt. See a google map of the area. See the photos on  Good #
• Michael Jackson's father Joe and the mayor of Gary, Indiana are planning a museum tribute to the late singer, which is expected to attract up to 750,000 visitors a year to the town. Read more on CNN. #
• OK magazine has developed an app that locates celebrities' whereabouts by pinpointing popular celebrity hangouts and logging which celebrities are likely to be spotted there. If users of the app upload a geotagged photo of a celebrity they could find their photo featured in the magazine. Read more on The Next Web. #