Immigration doc a first for C5

Pernel Media’s Immigration – Tearing My Family Apart for Channel 5

Channel 5 in the UK has commissioned a one-off documentary on the country’s immigration issues, its first original programme from a French indie producer.

Paris-based Pernel Media is working on Immigration – Tearing My Family Apart (working title, 1×60′) for C5.

It represents a first for both the broadcaster and the producer, which has never had a UK broadcast commission before.

The programme documents the forced separation of four families divided by changes in UK immigration rulings and their struggle to comply with the law and be reunited.

It is estimated that more than 15,000 British children are currently separated from one of their parents due to immigration rules and the doc features families split between the UK and Russia, Taiwan, the Philippines and South Africa.

C5 commissioning editor Emma Westcott greenlit the show, which will be executive produced by Pernel Media founder Samuel Kissous.