Mindhouse signs first head of docs

Mindhouse is eyeing international partnerships with the signing of a former Singapore-based Netflix exec as its first head of documentaries.

Aloke Devichand, who was previously Netflix’s manager of original documentary programming for Asia, has taken up the role, having worked as a freelance executive producer at the indie for the past year.


Aloke Devichand

He commissioned a string of series and single docs during his four years at the streamer, including the Emmy-winning Hope Frozen: A Quest to Live Twice and the first Indian-produced film to win an Oscar, The Elephant Whisperers.

Devichand has also been a senior commissioning producer for Al Jazeera English’s strand Witness and a planning producer for CNN International’s Hong Kong-based broadcast hub.

In a statement, Mindhouse hailed Devichand’s “brilliant track record”, adding: “We’re looking forward to cultivating new international partnerships and expanding our documentary slate with him on board.


Louis Theroux ... Interviews Stormzy

The factual indie, set up by Louis Theroux and his partner Nancy Strang, has a second series of the BBC's Louis Theroux Interviews… and is in production on Sky’s Lockerbie and CNN/BBC co-pro Columbia: The Final Flight.

It is also behind Sky feature doc Tell Them You Love Me, which is due to air later this year.

Devichand said he had been struck by the company’s "creativity, dynamism and empowering work culture”.