Friday Sept 14: Sonya Pemberton – Science Television for the Global Market
Sonya Pemberton is a dynamo and also happens to be one of Australia’s leading documentary writers, directors
and executive producers.
As someone who has consistently delivered compelling programs on issues well ahead of their time, it’s no
surprise that Sonya is poised to attend the prestigious Emmy Awards with a nomination for her latest project
Immortal – and the odds are in her favour. Sonya’s films, which specialise in science documentary, have won
over 40 international awards and she has been three times honoured with the esteemed Eureka Prize for
Science Journalism. In 2011 the National Press Club awarded her the distinguished Australian Health Journalist
of the Year, and Immortal took out Best Documentary.
Not only has Sonya written and directed over 50 hours of television (Angels and Demons, Catching Cancer) but
as a former Head of Specialist Factual at ABC Television, she has the benefit of understanding the competing
needs of a practitioner and those of a commissioning editor.
Sonya will discuss her approach to pitching and securing commissions with local and international broadcasters;
the essentials of market research and how to deliver documentary programs that manage to both inform and
entertain.
The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) serves up fresh, free and topical mind food for screen
arts and broadcast practitioners and enthusiasts alike every week at ACMI. Hosted by Sandra Sdraulig, former
CEO of Film Victoria and Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival, Friday on My Mind is FREE and
open to all.
Come along and enjoy the informed and film literate host as she discusses creative practice with a range of
interesting guest practitioners each and every Friday throughout the year. The latest details on guests appear in
AFTRS’ weekly Victorian Red-Alert e-bulletin, which you can sign up to receive it via the AFTRS’ website:
AFTRS WEBSITE: www.aftrs.edu.au/
RED ALERT: www.aftrs.edu.au/redalert
Friday on My Mind / Every Friday @ 5pm for FREE
Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Federation Square, Melbourne, Australia
FREE tickets can be picked up from the ACMI Box Office on the day of the event from 10am.
Places are limited: First in best dressed
Sessions are usually Unclassified 15+ but on some occasions will include 18+ material.
Get your Friday fix of ideas and insight from some of the best in the business …
Connect with Sandra
