Scientist - News - 13-11-2009:
Documentary about probiotics on air in 2010
Beintema, Nienke
also in German, click 
Probiotics will be the topic of a new major TV documentary, to be broadcast by several large international networks in 2010. Among other things, it will make use of various filming techniques, animations and interviews.
Science documentaries are more popular than ever. Films such as Microcosmos and Planet Earth are attracting an audience of millions of viewers worldwide. Documentary fans will have another treat to look forward to: next year they will be able to watch an in-depth film about probiotics. The documentary will be aired on several networks in Europe, Asia and the US, including National Geographic and Discovery. The release is scheduled for the summer or autumn of 2010.
The documentary will be titled Probiotics — Micro Warriors of the Digestive Tract. According to the producers, it will be the most complete and up-to-date film ever produced on probiotics and their contribution to human health. The target audience includes consumers, scientists as well as healthcare professionals.
The documentary will feature various filming techniques, scientific animations, and interviews with scientists and patients. "Some of the leading probiotic experts will be involved in the production," notes the project's executive producer David Knight by email. "They will include microbiologist Lynne McFarland and Eamonn Quigley, President of the World Gastroenterology Organization."
Full series
The film will focus on the mechanisms by which probiotics work, their effect on our health and well-being, and current and potential future applications. It will also examine the history of probiotics, from their discovery in the early 20th century to its uses around the world today.
"The documentary will be one hour for one show", explains Knight. "However, if the show goes well, we are planning on doing a full series on probiotics." Knight works for Health Point Press, one of the partners producing the documentary. Health Point Press is originally a book publisher, and has several major titles on probiotics in its portfolio. The other partner is the award-winning producer Ron Frank of Ron Frank Productions.
One of the documentary's sponsors is the International Probiotics Association (IPA); funding opportunities are still available. For more information, please contact David Knight at booktalk999@sbcglobal.net.
More information:
Health Point Press
Ron Frank Productions