Lights camera action for new indie fund
The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Screen Yorkshire have joined forces to launch a new six figure fund to support the region’s TV and film industries.
The £200,000 Indie TV and Film Development Fund, has been set up to help independent production companies to develop new content.
It’s launch comes as some of the region’s biggest shows, including ITV’s Emmerdale, prepare to return to set after production was shut down for two months due to the Covid-19 crisis – albeit with new stringent health and safety protocols in place.
The fund will award grants of between £2,500 and £25,000, and is the first allocation through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and LEP’s new Creative Catalyst programme. This new programme was established in response to Channel 4’s move to Leeds and the it’s commitment to increase commissioning in the Nations and Regions.
Sally Joynson
The fund is open to independent film and TV production companies with a substantive base in Leeds City Region who can demonstrate a proven track record in productions that have been broadcast (nationally or internationally) and / or commercially distributed.
Sally Johnson, chief executive at Screen Yorkshire commented: “In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, as pitching to broadcasters picks up speed, the indies will need to put themselves in prime position to be ahead of the rush of proposals from other companies from across the UK. This fund will help them deliver on that, as they take their first tentative steps back into production and begin the long road to recovery.”
Screen Yorkshire will lead the application and assessment process in collaboration with representatives from the LEP, and potential companies have until 12 noon on Friday June 5th to submit their application.
