Northern Film & Media connects North East talent with key industry decision makers. We have funded, designed and delivered a wide range of talent development initiatives working with partners such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Film4, Sheffield Doc/Fest, Revolver, Domino Records,Soda Pictures, Creative England and Skillset.
These include:
Jesting About - launched in December 2010, Jesting About saw NFM team up with BBC Comedy to find the next generation of North East comedy talent. Fronted by Bob Mortimer, Jesting drew on the mentoring skills of North East comedy heroes such as Ross Noble, Ian La Frenaisand Mark Benton. The initiative has produced five commissions across radio and online. Jeating About participants also graduated to work on high profile shows such as Shooting Stars (BBC), Mock the Week (BBC) and Celebrity Juice (ITV). Jesting About 2 launched in November 2011. Northern Film & Media and the BBC will shortly reveal the successful applicants for this year's programme.
Film4ward - Partnering with Film4, Northern Film & Media invested £40k in film talent development programme Film4ward. Northern Film & Media and Film4 identified 4 teams undergo an intensive three month development programme working with leading industry mentors IvanaMacKinnon (Slumdog Millionaire) and Kate Leys (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Trainspotting). The teams produced a comprehensive feature package, including a treatment, trailer and visual tools. Northern Film & Media is now working with Film4 and the participants to further develop several feature and short film ideas.
NE Doc - Northern Film & Media partnered with Channel4 and Sheffield Doc/Fest to deliver documentary filmmaking initiative NE Doc in 2010/11 – a move that will see the broadcaster develop two filmmakers for the First Cut Strand. Featuring mentoring from renowned documentary filmmakers, six North East talents were funded to produce taster tapes which were then screened and pitched at Sheffield Doc/Fest. Channel 4 commissioner Aysha Rafaele, F***ing Fulfords director Norman Hull, The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off director PatrickCollerton and NFM creative director Agnes Wilkie identified two filmmakers who will develop documentaries with the broadcaster.
Other key initiatives include:
Sound & Vision 35/45 - Talent development competition with Domino Records and Generator to produce the flagship music video from solo artist Bill Ryder-Jones' new concept album
Cracking Crime - Vera inspired writing talent programme with ITV Productions
@North - multiplatform partnership with CBBC and CBeebies to produce interactive online comedy content for children
Triangle - Skillset funded pan-Northern feature film scheme designed to connect writer, producers and directors across northern England