Hot Shots 2025: Sophie Fuller

London-born Sophie Fuller first came to the attention of Minnow Films after securing one of four places on the BBC New Documentary Directors’ Initiative 2021/22. Before then, she had learned the ropes at Shine TV, where she joined on its researcher scheme and left as a junior producer, with titles like Celebrity Hunted and The Write Offs on her CV.

This background meant she hit the ground running when she directed Minnow’s My Insta Scammer Friend for BBC3. Sophie Jones, head of docs at Minnow, says she is “a filmmaker with a clear editorial vision, deep emotional intelligence, and the resilience to navigate complex narratives”.

Working with 72 Films, Fuller also took the director’s chair for House Of Kardashian (Sky Documentaries) and One Day In America: Oklahoma City Bombing (National Geographic).

There’s more exciting stuff to come, especially as one of TV Collective’s Breakthrough Leaders 2024 – a scheme that identifies the future leaders from black, Asian and global majority backgrounds and brings them together for masterclasses and networking events. She’ll helm a three-part BBC2 series about a controversial global superstar, looking at their life through the lens of race, faith and fame in America.

Meanwhile, in a feature doc for a streamer, she explores “challenging themes about the human condition”. On this project, says Jones, “she has shown amazing tenacity, creativity and editorial judgement”.

“Sophie is a powerhouse,” Jones adds. “She will put herself at the sharp end to help deepen the public’s understanding, particularly when the heart of the programme lies in a fight for equality.”