The BBC has announced that six North East companies will be supported through their £1m Small Indie Fund, a huge boost for TV production in the region.
Candle & Bell (Gateshead), MCC Media Limited (Sunderland), Middlechild Productions (Newcastle), Schnoobert Productions (Newcastle), Sea & Sky Pictures (Hartlepool) and Twenty Six 03 Entertainment (Gateshead) will all receive financial support and a BBC commissioning editor as a mentor to support their businesses growth.
The £1m Fund was launched in 2020 to support the development of small independent production companies with turnovers below £10m across Drama, Entertainment, Comedy, Factual, and Daytime.
This year sees the highest number of companies based in the English Regions, with significant increase in support for companies based in the North East and Midlands. 48 companies were selected overall with 79% based in the Nations and the English Regions.
Lisa Laws, Head of Talent and Business and Development at North East Screen said:
“We are delighted for the companies receiving this fund, an amazing outcome for them and for TV production in the North East. We have worked closely with each of the companies so understand how this support will help to drive forward their businesses. The companies selected are a good mix of businesses relocating to the region and home grown talent.”
The fund was set up to help boost the strength of UK production, focusing on companies with diverse leadership and producers based outside of London, particularly around global competition.
Lisa continued: “This is a fantastic year for production companies in the North East and the start of great things to come. The region is full of talented creative businesses with an abundance of ideas, skills, and incredible determination. The tide is beginning to turn with support for the screen industry in the North East and funds such as this from the BBC will help to supercharge creative business development, making us a region to look out for nationally and globally. “