Channel 4 has announced the 12 recipients of its Emerging Indie Fund, to help production companies outside of London through key stages of growth.
Launched a year ago, it provides financial assistance for slate development, as well as offering direct access to a Channel 4 Commissioning Editor and advice from its commercial affairs, legal and ad funded programming teams.
This year’s winners include:
Hatchling Films (Manchester);
Title Role Productions (Manchester) and;
Zandland (Liverpool/Burnley).
The broadcaster has also given “discretionary awards” to an additional 8 indies, because of the high quality of applications. There were 2 regional recipients, Art of Truth in Leeds and Sea and Sky Pictures, Hartlepool.
“Channel 4 is committed to nurturing indies across the Nations and Regions and helping them become thriving sustainable companies, and this year we have increased our commitment by creating additional places on the Fund,” said Channel 4’s Director of Commissioning Operations Emma Hardy.
“Our awardees are based all across the UK, and we are delighted to be working with such a diverse and creatively exciting set of indies.”
Previous beneficiaries are York’s Button Down, Chwarel in Criccieth, North Wales and Salamanda Media in Manchester.
“Awardees receive a development slate award and will have regular meetings with Commissioning Editors, as well as benefiting from support from the wider Commissioning team and other departments, with guidance on how indies can secure commissions, develop slates, plan their commercial affairs and explore new revenue streams,” added Channel 4’s Head of Indie Relations, Rebecca Thompson.
“This combination of support can be hugely effective in helping emerging companies to grow, and we saw the impact of this in last year’s awardees, many of whom went on to secure first commissions with the channel.”
