OWN and ro*co partner for "doc film club"

The Oprah Winfrey Network and ro*co productions, a division of ro*co films international, have announced a partnership that will result in an innovative "documentary film club." The companies say the intent is to provide a multi-platform experience that will include a primetime monthly documentary film series airing on the channel, an "online community experience" and exclusive footage on OWN.tv, as well as the chance for some documentaries to be presented as a nationwide theatrical screening event.

OWN and ro*co say the screening events will aim to provide audiences with a "festival experience" whereby interested communities can screen the films together and participate in live, moderated panel discussions. Also, OWN is planning on spotlighting cinematic docs that can "inspire and entertain" within its programming, which is big news for documentarians and for those looking to get a glimpse at OWN's programming plans. The channel is now scheduled for a January 2011 launch.

"OWN's commitment to self-discovery provides the ideal platform to elevate documentary films and the real, compelling stories they tell," said OWN chief executive officer Christina Norman. "Partnering with ro*co productions, OWN will deliver the very best documentaries to our audience and give them ways to connect through stories that move them."

"There is a wide-ranging audience hungry for access to profound documentaries of substance and originality," said ro*co films international founder/MD Annie Roney (pictured). "Our partnership with OWN will bring these films to a broader audience, but it doesn't stop there; community discourse and engagement is encouraged and supported as soon as the final credits roll." Also spearheading the partnership on ro*co's behalf is Sue Turley, president of ro*co productions.

For more information on how to submit a film for consideration, visit www.rocofilms.com.