The initiative will offer four participants the chance to produce and direct their first long form documentary for BBC Three, with the hope of finding and showcasing the next generation of documentary makers.

Many successful, award-winning documentaries have been created as a result of the initiative, including Manchester Bomb: Our Story, Abused by my Girlfriend, Why Dad Killed Mum: My Family’s Secret, and Defending Digga D.

Alumni have gone on to direct BBC’s flagship documentary series including Hospital and Ambulance or one-off films such as Me, My Brother and Our Balls.

This year’s BBC Three films from the New Documentary Directors’ Initiative include Sudden Death: My Sister’s Silent Killer from new director Lindsay Konieczny and Abused by My Sports Coach directed by Helen Spooner.

BBC’s Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, History and Religion, Clare Sillery commented: “The BBC has an important role to play in nurturing new talent and I’m thrilled that the New Directors’ Initiative is opening its doors once again for aspiring film makers. We want to provide opportunities for directing talent to grow their careers and tell the stories that matter to the audience.”

Beejal-Maya Patel, Commissioning Editor, Documentaries added: “I’m delighted that we are once again opening up applications for the new documentary directors initiative. Getting that first break is so important and to do that with masterclasses and mentoring from leading industry talent gives new directors on the initiative the support they need to make their first film. It also gives them a fantastic calling card to help build careers and I would encourage anyone interested to apply.”

Apply to the BBC Documentaries New Directors Initiative here.