News Article
Northern Film & Media, the regional screen agency for the North East of England, has announced the region’s first content fund for film, TV, games, interactive media and music, open to applications via www.northernmedia.org from Monday 27 July 2009.
The North East Content Fund is a £1m investment fund that aims to ensure projects across film, TV, games, interactive media and music are developed and put into production here in the North East of England. Northern Film & Media wants to help build a moving image industry that produces engaging and innovative content for national and international screens and markets. Northern Film & Media’s role is to take the talent of the North East to the market and bring the market back to the North East.
Tom Harvey, Chief Executive of Northern Film & Media, says:
“The film and TV sectors have struggled in the North East in recent years. That is why the £1m North East Content Fund is all the more vital for the region. The fund will create jobs, bring investment into the region and ensure that the North East is seen again on national and international screens. The Fund is open to all, either based inside or outside of the region and I’m already looking forward to seeing the applications when they come in.
“The North East has proven it can deliver projects that go on to be enjoyed by millions on the small and large screen. From the success of Wire in the Blood and BAFTA nominated Place of Execution to BAFTA Award winning Alistair Fury, Atonement and Goal, we have the skills, experience and vision to make great production happen here. Northern Film & Media wants to invest in talent and projects that are going to make a real impact on national and international screens, not only emulating the success of productions such as This is England, Control, Spooks and Hustle as well as games such as Grand Theft Auto or Guitar Hero, but also building on the North East's own voice and individuality."
Northern Film & Media’s North East Content Fund will invest in feature film, TV, games, interactive media and music. Applicants can apply for a maximum of £200,000 for production costs and a maximum of £50,000 for development. Applicants can be from either inside or outside of the North East region. Northern Film & Media will look for returns on its investment to put back into the sector in the region. Applicants will find all the forms and information they need to apply at www.northernmedia.org from Monday 27 July.
The North East Content Fund is part of a series of measures to help make the North East more attractive to productions. All but two local authorities in the North East have signed up to Northern Film & Media’s Filming Friendly Partnership; the Northern Exposure website was recently launched to help promote crew and facilities in the North. Northern Film & Media offers a Familiarisation Fund that can provide funding for projects to recce the region; and the regional screen agency offers a free location service with 2 dedicated staff and an extensive on-line library of world class locations.
In the past 6 months Northern Film & Media has also met with North East MP’s at parliament, ONE North East and representatives from local authorities to help push the political agenda behind production in the North East. Newcastle City Council recently resolved to write to network broadcasters demanding a stronger commitment to production in the North East.
The North East Content Fund has been made possible through funds drawn down from regional development agency, ONE North East. Simon Goon, Head of Business Investment at One North East, says:
“One North East is pleased to work with Northern Film & Media in creating the new North East Content Fund. Not only will this offer creative and innovative businesses more access to finance, but pave the way for further inward investment opportunities which will help boost film, television and media production here in the region.”
In February 2009 Northern Film & Media began a campaign to bring more Network TV production into the North East, a campaign that resulted in the BBC bringing flagship children’s BBC drama Tracey Beaker to the region to film for 13 weeks this summer. With the loss of Wire in the Blood in 2008 and a drop off in production crew from 300 to 200, Northern Film & Media believes the North East Production Fund is an important part of the jigsaw to help attract network TV back into the region.
Peter Salmon, Director of the North for the BBC, says: "BBC North is very keen to build on the back of the high-profile Tracy Beaker project. I think the North East Content Fund begins to give the region an edge on the competition and will make media companies sit up and pay more attention to an area that is rich in talent, stories and landscapes. We are keen to move forward together with such initiatives that appeal to tradional sectors like film and television but also new and expanding areas like games and interactivity. This is a real boost to all our plans."
Lord David Puttnam of Queensgate, says: “The infrastructure that’s been built up over the years by UK Film Council and the regional screen agencies in support of film production in the UK has played a crucial role in the recent successes of the film industry and has helped deliver a broader range of culturally valuable films to UK audiences.
“New resources, such as the North East Content Fund, should act as important incentives for productions.
“I’ve always thought it odd that the rich location opportunities in the North East have remained so comparatively under-exploited; as a result the region has missed out on the opportunity for inward investment, jobs and national and international recognition.
“It’s important that agencies such as Northern Film & Media work to change this situation. I hope the North East content Fund achieves every one of its aims, and I look forward to seeing a lot more film, television and media production in the North East in the near future.”
Northern Film & Media has recently relocated to new purpose built offices at the creative hub of Hoult’s Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne.
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For further information, please contact:
James Hails
Communications Manager
Northern Film & Media
Studio 3
The Kiln
Hoult’s Yard
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 1AB
0191 269 9200
07745 185656
