The BBC has announced the 57 companies which will be supported through this year’s Small Indie Fund, including 11 from the North of England.
Launched in 2020, the Small Indie Fund supports the growth of small independent production companies from across the UK with turnovers below £10m across Drama, Entertainment, Comedy, Factual, Daytime and Children’s – and this year, BBC Film.
The 2024 cohort sees the highest ever number of diverse-led producers – with 77% (44) companies having at least two individuals in specific leadership roles from one of the following under-represented groups: Black, Asian or minority ethnic, Disabled and/or Working class. The Small Indie Fund also continues to focus support for companies based in the Nations & Regions with 67% (38) companies based outside of London, with an increase in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the West Midlands this year.
All recipients receive strategic investment and a BBC commissioning editor as a mentor to help them grow. With the inclusion of BBC Film, the companies will receive around £1.5m in total this year.
The BBC had an unprecedented number of applications for the Fund this year, and in response to that BBC Commissioning will be offering small indies a range of additional insight sessions across all genres with the aim of supporting future pitches. The successful applicants from our region were:
- Candle & Bell Limited – North East
- MCC Media Ltd – North East
- Schnoobert Productions Limited – North East
- Wander Films Limited – North East
- Candour Productions Ltd – Yorkshire & The Humber
- ClockWork Films – Yorkshire & The Humber
- Public Dreams Ltd – Yorkshire & The Humber /London
- Boudica Entertainment Ltd – North West
- EMU Pictures Limited – North West /London
- The Fold– North West
- Northern Heart Films – North West
Matt Travers, head of business, TV commissioning and business development, said: “We thank all producers who applied to the Small Indie Fund this year. We know it remains a challenging time for the sector, and the fund demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting smaller producers, right across the UK.”
Emma Kayee head of production, BBC Film added: “The sheer number of strong applications we received is testament both to the outstanding talent in our independent film sector and the unprecedented challenges so many producers are currently facing. We’re excited to be working with these ambitious, forward-thinking companies and we can’t wait to see what they do next.”
