Jo Lapping ,Strand Manager, BBC Storyville

Has worked for Storyville, the BBC’s international documentary strand, developing, commissioning and producing documentary films since its launch in 1997.

Buyer, BBC producer (titles include: Give Up Tomorrow, Rise Up Reggae Star, Knuckle, If A Tree Falls, Great Hip Hop Hoax, Big Men, The Chinese Mayor and the Why Poverty? international documentary series among others). Producer and advisor, Storyville Global/World Stories – setting up a global initiative to give second window distribution to documentary films through BBC World News and a wider network of broadcasters and overseeing the first season of 10 films. Programmed two documentary seasons for BBC FOUR (Rock Docs and Families). Professional Supporter of the STEPS initiative for filmmakers in Southern Africa, which gave funding, training and worldwide distribution to locally made films dealing with the HIV/Aids pandemic. Tutor for the Discovery Campus Masterschool.

Has also worked and travelled extensively in Africa.