Indie TV and film development fund launches in Leeds

The project is a collaboration between Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in association with Screen Yorkshire and has been set up as a direct result of the two month suspension in all production activity.

Sally Joynson, chief executive from Screen Yorkshire, said the new fund will help support the development of regional companies in these uncertain times and beyond.

She said: "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."

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get itEstablished independent production companies across Yorkshire have been responsible for high profile national television programmes showcasing the region.

Leeds-based Daisybeck Studios produce Springtime on the Farm for Channel Five, featuring Julian Norton, while fellow city based True North Production company’s hit series, Say Yes to the Dress, with Gok Wan, airs on TLC.

In North Yorkshire, Air TV follows the lifesaving work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in Helicopter ER, for Really.

The money comes from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the LEP, through its new creative catalyst programme, and will distribute between £2,500 and £25,000 to indie film projects.

The creative programme was established in response to Channel 4’s relocation to Leeds and broadcaster commitment to increase commissioning across the regions.

The fund will only be open to independent film and TV production companies with a “substantive base” in Leeds, which can demonstrate a proven track record in productions that have been broadcast nationally or internationally, and/or commercially distributed.

In the past two years there has been a significant shift in momentum in the sector in Leeds, driven in large part by Channel 4’s relocation, and by a growing recognition from other broadcasters of the creative expertise and talent on offer in the region.

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