10 North East indies have been selected for a new initiative aimed at fast-tracking them into global businesses.
Future North East is a “super charged development programme” from Pact and North East Screen.
The 2 year scheme will give each indie a tailored leadership and development programme, with access to industry experts, led by Pact’s Managing Director of Business Development & Global Strategy, Dawn McCarthy-Simpson MBE.
Those chosen indies are:
- Gateshead-based Candle & Bell, Motif, TwentySix-03 and Signpost Productions;
- Newcastle-based Schnoobert Productions, Northern Child and Try Life;
- Sunderland-based MCC Media;
- Hartlepool-based Sea & Sky Pictures;
- and Middlesbrough-based Wander Films.
“The ten chosen companies have already grabbed attention from broadcasters, distributors and potential co-producers,” said Lisa Laws, North East Screen’s Head of Talent and Business Development.
“Between them they present a diverse, active slate, and a real desire to grow inclusive companies that deliver global screen content across a range of platforms to current and future markets.”
Laws added that the ultimate aim was to develop and grow the sector across the region:
“We all share a common goal of making the North East a place where sustainable, world class film and TV companies thrive. What makes this a very special group is that they are all backing each other for success and supporting one another to make a difference making sure our region a great place for talent to live and work.”
Andrew Eastel, Creative Director at Northern Child said:
“There is huge potential for a thriving TV industry in this region but that starts with sustaining and growing businesses like ours and the other indies on the scheme – all of which are led by super-talented local creatives who will be hugely successful given this kind of support.”
Adam Bouabda, Founder of Sea & Sky Pictures added:
“It’s fantastic to be supported by PACT and North East Screen. As a self-confessed ‘Cowboy’ of this industry, it’s very important that someone has got our back and can guide us through the building of the business so that we can focus on being creative. PACT has been a great resource for us in the past and with this programme, it will take us to the next level as a production company.”
