Future Artist Entertainment is to permanently locate its Northern operations in VERSA Leeds Studios.
The company, which was founded in 2019 by Matt Williams and Martin Owen has generated $150m of production spend since it was established, producing 14 films – 7 of which have been made in Manchester and Leeds.
VERSA Leeds and FAE will now set up an “international film production hub” in the studios, adding post production and VFX to its offering.
“We are delighted with this new venture. There are significant advantages in collaborating as global leading partners with VERSA Studios, and in making our Northern hub the city of Leeds,” said Matt Williams CEO of Future Artists Entertainment.
“The Leeds VERSA facility is tremendous, and has a really diverse inventory allowing for up to three productions to be ongoing at the same time. We have worked closely with the VERSA team and their sister property company, Allied London, on several of our productions and they are fantastic to work with. We are really excited about what we can do together in Leeds.”
FAE is behind Netflix’s Bank of Dave; Sky Original’s Pokerface starring Russell Crowe; Last Train to Christmas; and Save The Cinema starring Samantha Morton, Tom Felton and Jonathan Pryce.
It confirmed that it will film Upgraded for Amazon Studios and Gulfstream Pictures in Leeds later this year.
“This partnership is the latest high-profile news for VERSA where we have adapted to the ever-changing media production industry. FAE is a fast growing and successful production company who consistently deliver production projects and this partnership is testament to the VERSA Studios continued growth to date,” added Charlie Ingall Founder and Executive Director of VERSA Studios.
“Together, we will continue to create a unique production hub in Leeds with global appeal. Attracting both domestic and international productions means we can also focus on nurturing next gen talent to ensure more access into the industry, and maintain a strong, talented crew base with employment opportunities in the wider creative industries sector in Leeds and beyond. An exciting time for both VERSA and FAE.”
