Director Jennifer Baichwal (pictured) and photographer Edward Burtynsky’s doc Water is among the projects receiving a total of $168,000 from the program’s completion and development funds.
Canadian director Ron Mann (pictured) will chronicle the life of iconoclastic American filmmaker Robert Altman in Altman, a feature-length doc that will be accompanied by a touring exhibit, illustrated companion book and soundtrack.
The dramatic reality series is among several in contention for slots on the US net’s 2012 sked.
CNBC, HGTV, Discovery Latin America, MGM Latin America and Smithsonian Networks are among the nets to ink deals with the distributor.
The Participant Media EVP, who also founded the Sundance Documentary Fund, will receive the award at a May 1 luncheon during this year’s Hot Docs fest.
The Montreal-based prodco talks about finding critical and commercial success with a strategy that balances serious subject matter with accessible storytelling.