Travel : World Congress of Science and Factual Producers

Network

The premiere event for science and history broadcast executives and producers, the WCSFP connects you with people who are informed and passionate about the craft and business of factual television. And, you can conduct business in a remarkable 2-to-1 producer-to-broadcaster environment: face-to-face meetings are easy, plentiful and productive. It's no wonder things are relaxed: the event is run by an involved member-run community for factual professionals.

Share & Learn

Leading international producers and broadcasters work collaboratively to develop a full-slate of member-produced panels and talks. This "by-the-industry and for-the-industry" model celebrates the best of the genre and explores contemporary issues without holding back nitty-gritty details (yes, panelists talk about what didn’t work as well as what did). You'll find extraordinary analysis and insight through case-studies of complex programs, feisty intellectual debates, and on-stage interviews that feature production visionaries and top network decision-makers.

Explore

For 16 years the Congress has travelled the world, visiting new cities and always welcoming new professionals into the community. Like recent editions in New York, Manchester and Tokyo, the Florence WCSFP will allow delegates a chance to explore the region's great wealth of history and culture. And, when the business day is over, grab drinks with your colleagues and have some real fun too at our lively evening events -what a concept for a television conference!

Travel

AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION

Below are sample return airfares to Florence Airport (Aeroporto de Firenze) from key departure cities. All flights are based on a 5 night stay (November 30 - December 5). Prices are for economy travel and include all taxes and surcharges. Information is taken from www.expedia.com, www.expedia.ca and www.expedia.co.uk and is accurate as of May 28, 2008.

Australia

Sydney: 1500 EUR/3,100 AUD (Air France)

Europe

London: 145 GBP (Alitalia)
Frankfurt: 74 GBP/94 EUR (Lufthansa)
Paris: 176 GBP/224 EUR (Lufthansa)
Copenhagen: 189 GBP/ 240 EUR (Lufthansa)

North America

New York City: 961USD (United)
Washington, D.C.: 1,010 USD (Swiss International Airlines)
Los Angeles: 1,082 UDS (United)
Chicago: 978 USD (Swiss International Airlines)
Montreal: 1,064 CAD (US Airways)
Toronto: 1,084 CAD (Swiss International Airlines)
Vancouver: 2,004 CAD (Air Canada/Alitalia)

Asia

Tokyo: 123, 270 JPY (Lufthansa)
Beijing: 9,561 CNY (Alitalia)

GETTING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT

Taxis are stationed in front of the arrivals terminal or can be called by radio taxi (phone 39-055-4242/4390/4499/4798). The Hilton Florence Metropole is situated a mere 4.5 km from the airport. Taxi journey time from the airport is about 15 minutes. Journey cost is calculated by the taxi meter (average cost is 13-15 Euros).

RAIL TRAVEL INFORMATION

Florence is on the main Rome-Milan line, which ensures a fast service from Italy’s most important business and tourist centres. Services include the EuroStar Italia, with links to Milan (journey time - 2 hours 45 minutes) and Rome (journey time - 1 hour 40 minutes) and the express service, which links the city to Naples (journey time - 3 hours 40 minutes).

International train services link Florence to more than 40 other European destinations, including Paris, Zurich, and Munich.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Delegates wishing to explore Florence’s many attractions and historic sights may find the following information helpful:

Local Buses in Florence

ATAF and LI-NEA together maintain the city’s public transportation system. Tickets and bus passes can be purchased at the ATAF ticket booth at Piazza Stazione (you can get a timetable of buses as well). You can buy a bus ticket at any tobacconist (indicated by a large “T” on a black sign on the outside of the shop) displaying an orange A.T.A.F. sticker on the door or window. All tickets must be time stamped using the machines onboard the buses. Late night (9.00pm to 6.00am) tickets can usually be purchased from the bus driver. You can get bus passes for varying durations. Map of bus lines within Florence.

Florence Taxis

Florence’s two major taxi companies are Taxi Radio and Taxi Socota
Taxi Radio: Tel: 055-4499 or 055-4390
Taxi Socota: Tel: 055-4242 or 055-4798

Parking in Florence

Florence has a website devoted to parking in the city. Click on “Parcheggiare” to get a map of parking lots.

Florence Tourist Information

The Florence Tourist Information Center is located in Piazza Stazione:
Piazza Stazione 4
Tel: 055- 212245

Testimonials

WCSFP is a highlight every year on my calendar. The informal vibe leads to non-pressurized commission discussions on one hand, and what can be some spirited discussions or side splitting hilarity in the sessions on the other. Meaningful topics from global warming, teaching evolution, how to make a vat of murky salt water look like amniotic fluid peacefully co-exist with issues like the nature co-production relationships, and how to get that final bit of funding. If you care about the craft of non-fiction films, and like seeing people defend their passionately held views on stage, this is the place for you. It’s group therapy for the filmmakers and net execs alike.
— Chris Hoelzl, Head of Development, Smithsonian Networks
I have been attending the WCSFP since its first edition and I have always considered it as an event not to be missed. It’s not only that the sessions are truly inspiring, that almost everyone in the business is there and that you always end up learning something new, but it is also the friendly and informal atmosphere that makes it a truly professional but at the same time fun and relaxing event. And this time it’s my own country’s turn…I can’t wait to greet you all in Florence.
— Daniela Bagliani, Acquisitions and Coproductions Manager, Documentary Dept., RTI SpA - Mediaset Group
I have been attending the congress for three years and every year I return to find new filmmakers, innovative ideas and lively discussions and workshops. As science is rooted in almost all of National Geographic’s programming, Science Congress continues to be one of our top priorities year after year.
— Bridget Whalen, Vice President, Development, Co-productions, and Acquisitions, National Geographic Channel
The WCSFP is my favorite industry meeting. It’s the mix of interesting people, great panels and sessions and relaxed atmosphere that make them so valuable. Other industry meetings are valuable in their own way, but none have the blend of intellectual zest and sense of humor that mark the WCSFP. I’m looking forward immensely to this year’s gathering.
— Tug Yourgrau, President, Powderhouse Productions
I enjoy WCSFP’s practical focus on the new trends plus the sobering versus inspiring realities facing science programme production today. The inevitable result of this dynamic conference is that we all rise to the challenge. What could be better?
— Ellen Windemuth, Managing Director, Off The Fence
The WCSFP features a unique blend of debates in various lively formats, screenings, case studies and trend spotting. It provides an overview of the global industry, and facilitates business meetings in a very relaxed atmosphere that mixes the fun with the serious. Moreover, every year it allows us to discover a different country and its television landscape. So as an old timer, I would encourage everybody in the science and history film and television industry, and especially the people who’ve never attended, to book a flight to Florence for the first days of December 2008.
— Fabrice Esteve, Producer, DOCSIDE Production
We are proud to act as the Host Broadcaster and to add RAI’s name to the list of other internationally renowned broadcasters like WNET/Thirteen New York, the BBC and NHK that have most recently undertaken this position. We look forward to this year’s event and to joining with the international factual community to debate, do business and to socialize in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
— Giancarlo Leone, Deputy Managing Director, RAI
The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers continues to be one of the most important international gatherings for like-minded filmmakers and producers. What I like most about it is that it is much more than a marketplace - it is a place that provides a singular opportunity for professionals to probe deeply into the creative aspects of our craft. I would not miss it.
— Melanie Wallace, Senior Series Producer, NOVA, WGBH