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New Documentaries for ABC, SBS, Seven.

Todd Sampson is back for more brainy work, plus new projects on Uranium, the Boxing Day tsunami and trucking.

5tdsTodd Sampson will be back for more of Redesign My Brain on ABC1 as five documentary projects receive funding from Screen Australia.

Sampson’s series, which won an AACTA Award, will return for three more episodes, as he endeavours to train the brain to be resistant to the psychological problems faced by humans today.

Also for ABC TV is Death or Liberty, the story of how political activists exiled to Australia during the 19th century helped to create the world’s first true democracy. It will be produced by Steve Thomas, Kath Symmons, Anna Grieve and Rebecca O’Malley from Roar Films.

SBS has two new projects, After the Wave: The World’s Greatest Forensic Detective Story, as Writer/Director Amanda Blue recounts the Boxing Day tsunami and the epic forensic operation in Thailand to identify and return home the bodies of over 5,000 victims, plus writer/director Wain Fimeri’s Uranium – Twisting the Dragon’s Tail on the untold story of the most wondrous and terrifying rock on Earth. It will be  filmed in Russia, Japan, North America, Europe and Australia.

SBS Director of Television Tony Iffland said: “SBS continues to lead the way with thought-provoking, bold and engaging documentaries. Uranium tackles one of the most divisive issues of our time, whilst After the Wave commemorates one of the most tragic events in recent history.”

Seven will also follow road train drivers as they battle against the odds on some of the toughest and most demanding journeys across Australia, in Truck It.

Screen Australia Senior Manager Documentary Liz Stevens said, “With two single-hour projects, two series and a feature-length project funded this round, it is a strong and diverse finish for the end of the financial year. In addition, working with international partners is a great way to grow the pie for Australian producers. These producers will work with American, Irish, English and German broadcasters on some exceptional programs.”

After the Wave: The World’s Greatest Forensic Detective Story
75 mins
Flaming Star Films Pty Ltd
Producer Lavinia Riachi
Executive Producer Sharyn Prentice
Writer/Director Amanda Blue
Broadcaster SBS, Discovery (UK)
Sales TVF International
Synopsis The Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 was the most devastating natural disaster in modern times, killing 228,000 people across 13 countries in just a few hours. On that perfect day, from Indonesia to Thailand, Sri Lanka and as far afield as the Maldives, this catastrophic collision between the natural world and humankind would have far-reaching consequences on humanity and science forever.

Death or Liberty,
57 mins
Roar Film Pty Ltd
Producers Steve Thomas, Kath Symmons, Anna Grieve, Rebecca O’Malley
Executive Producers Craig Dow Sainter, Stephen Rooke
Directors Steve Westh, Keith Farrell
Writer Tony Moore, Steve Thomas, Keith Farrell
Broadcaster ABC TV
Sales TVF International
Synopsis Death or Liberty is the story of how political radicals exiled to Australia during the 19th century helped to create the world’s first true democracy.

Redesign My Brain Series 2
3 x 60 mins
Mindful Media Pty Ltd
Producers Isabel Perez, Todd Sampson
Executive Producer Paul Scott
Director Jeff Sibbery
Writers Paul Scott, Todd Sampson
Post-producer Mark Barlin
Broadcasters ABC TV, Discovery Network International, Discovery Science USA
Sales Discovery Communications
Synopsis Redesign My Brain series 2 shows how we can train the brain to be resilient against the many psychological problems facing humanity today.

Truck It
44 mins
Prospero Productions Pty Ltd
Producers Ed Punchard, Julia Redwood
Director Roger Power
Broadcaster Seven Network Australia
Sales NGTI
Synopsis Truck It follows road train drivers as they battle against the odds on some of the toughest and most demanding journeys across Australia.

Uranium – Twisting the Dragon’s Tail
3 x 60 mins
Genepool Productions Pty Ltd
Producer Sonya Pemberton
Executive Producers Sonya Pemberton, Michael Cordell
Director/Writer Wain Fimeri
Broadcaster SBS Australia, PBS
Sales SBS International
Synopsis An epic journey through the untold story of the most wondrous and terrifying rock on Earth.

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