BBC confirms Emma Hindley as permanent lead commissioning editor for Storyville

The BBC has confirmed Emma Hindley as lead commissioning editor of its long-running international documentary strand Storyville on a permanent basis.

Emma Hindley

Hindley has been acting in the role since September, following the departure of Philippa Kowarsky, who stepped down as commissioning editor of Storyville after just under a year in the role in August last year.

Kowarsky arrived at the UK pubcaster in August 2021 after her predecessor, Mandy Chang, joined Fremantle.

Hindley, who will report to the BBC’s director of unscripted, Kate Phillips, has worked in documentaries for 25 years as a film editor, director, executive producer. Prior to joining the BBC last year, she spent five years as creative director at independent production company Brook Lapping.

Leading a range of productions from history, arts and drama docs to observational documentaries, Hindley’s work has been regularly nominated for and won awards from Bafta, Grierson and the Royal Television Society.

Having launched and worked with a wide range of talent both on- and off-screen, Hindley is recognised as a long-term and personally driven advocate of diversity in all its forms, the BBC said.

The pubcaster added her commitment and enthusiasm for subjects such as women’s history, mental health and LGBT stories has seen her pioneer the recruitment of fully representative crews and contributors alike.

The news comes as the BBC announces its 2023 winter slate of Storyville films, which will be shown in early 2023 on BBC Four and iPlayer

The titles include Three Minutes: A Lengthening, Casa Susanna, Blue Box, The Spy on Your Mobile, Traitors & Heroes: Inside Russia and Sex on Screen.

Hindley said: “I have always been a huge Storyville fan and the four months I have spent as interim lead commissioning editor have made me even more excited and passionate about its importance and potential, so I’m really delighted to be joining the team on a permanent basis.

“Storyville has always worked with the best filmmakers on the most interesting international stories and continues to offer a unique, rich and varied viewing experience to BBC viewers. Storyville has an incredible legacy to continue at a time when maintaining the BBC’s role in the UK’s cultural landscape is more crucial than ever and I am excited to be engaging with the most diverse range of producers and directors possible.”