Docsville Studios appoints first MD

High-end docs indie, Docsville Studios, has announced the appointment of Sophie Daniel to the newly-created role of Managing Director.

Daniel has worked at Docsville Studios for two years and her new remit is to help grow Docsville Studios’ slate of feature documentaries. Her recent producer credits include Kevin Macdonald’s Last Song from Kabul, launched at Telluride last month. The film, telling the story of girls in Afghanistan whose musical aspirations are threatened by the Taliban takeover, will debut on Paramount+ later this autumn.

Daniel is also a producer of Docsville Studios’ forthcoming feature documentary about the life of Reverend Jesse Jackson (currently untitled). This film, a partnership with Expanded Media, tells Jackson’s life story in his own words, using 60 years of previously unseen family footage to which the filmmakers have been given exclusive access. Daniel’s current portfolio also includes a range of projects, as yet unannounced, including a documentary series for the BBC and a feature-length documentary about the 1985 bombing of Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior ship. Daniel’s range of projects prior to joining Docsville Studios included, as producer, Sisters Interrupted, the feature-length documentary about two sisters who have epilepsy. Aiming to shine a light on a much-misunderstood condition that 50 million people suffer from, the film has just been announced to have its UK premier at Raindance 2023.

Lawrence Elman, CEO, Docsville Studios, says: “We have had a huge amount of interest in our ideas recently and we are delighted to have Sophie on board to help fuel our growth. Sophie is dynamic and extremely talented, a fantastic communicator with a strong production background. She has originated, developed and produced a wealth of programme ideas, with much domestic and international success. She is a great asset to our team and we are lucky to have her head the team.”

Sophie Daniel adds: “I am delighted to have been appointed Managing Director at such a key moment in Docsville Studios’ development. It is a truly special company, where we all relish our work to deliver unexpected stories. Lawrence Elman and Nick Fraser are two of the leading creatives in the industry, and I have enjoyed every moment of working with them, so I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help grow Docsville Studios, and continue to create films that have a real impact.”

Daniel takes up her role immediately.