Five NI indies chosen for BBC scheme
Five Northern Ireland-based independent production companies have been chosen by BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Factual to take part in a new ‘Hot House’ development initiative, with support from Northern Ireland Screen.
The five-month Hot House development scheme aims to provide local indies with the advice, support and tools to help them compete for BBC network factual commissions and BBC NI/ BBC network co-commissions.
The companies involved were chosen through a competitive selection process, building on existing collaboration between the BBC and Northern Ireland Screen.
Alleycats Films, Below The Radar, DoubleBand Films, Stellify Media and Walk On Air Films have been confirmed as participants on this pilot phase of the Hot House scheme.
Each of these independent production companies will receive £50,000 development funding from the BBC. They will also be able to apply for match-funding from Northern Ireland Screen.
Hot House scheme participants will be invited to present their network television proposals at the end of their five-month development period.
Successful proposals will result in a tv series commission at a minimum of three, hour-long episodes at the full network tariff.
Any company that doesn’t secure a network co-commission will still be guaranteed a series commission for one of their development proposals, to be broadcast on BBC Northern Ireland television, with involvement from a network television commissioner.
Eddie Doyle, head of content Commissioning BBC Northern Ireland, said: “We’ve had some great successes with network co-commissions in recent years, thanks to the talent of the local independent sector here. This series development scheme is a great opportunity for us to build on these recent successes, support the Northern Ireland creative industry and to bring local stories to audiences across the UK through network broadcasts.
"It will also enable Northern Ireland indies to deepen their relationships with network commissioning leads and gain some valuable insights from them. It’s great to have the encouragement and support of BBC network colleagues and Northern Ireland Screen and for us to be working together in this way to develop and showcase locally-based talent and programme-makers.’’
Kate Phillips, director of unscripted, BBC, added: "I’ve seen first-hand the brilliant talent there is in Northern Ireland so I’m really pleased to be working with Eddie and the BBC NI team on this exciting initiative which will help bring a richer breadth of stories to audiences across the UK and provide further opportunities to grow and develop talent."
Also on The Knowledge
Sky strengthens diversity of commissioning team
The co-creator of Sky Arts’ Broadcast Award-winning Life & Rhymes and development producers from Left Bank and Blast! Films are among six new faces joining Sky’s commissioning team as the broadcaster seeks to diversify its creative talent pool.
UK film and high-end TV production spend hits £6.3bn record in 2022, but indie film spend down
A record £6.27 billion was spent on film and high-end television (HETV) production in the UK in 2022, up 11.1% on 2021; but spend on independent UK filmmaking dropped by 31%.
Screen, Broadcast and KFTV launch Global Production Awards 2023
Our sister sites Screen International, Broadcast and KFTV are launching the Global Production Awards, which aim to celebrate outstanding and sustainable work in the world of film and TV production, locations and studios.
Seed funding scheme launched for Welsh media innovators
Creative freelancers and SMEs in the Cardiff Capital Region and across Wales with an idea for new products, services or experiences in the media sector can apply for up to £10,000 of seed funding.
Scripted drama boosts C5 growth
Original drama was a key driver in Channel 5 reaching its fourth consecutive year of growth in 2022, with scripted shows making the top five programmes of the year.
Pact reacts to government U-turn on C4 sale
The UK government has confirmed officially that Channel 4 will no longer be privatised, in a U-turn from the proposals set out by the previous administration; Pact subsequently issued a statement reacting to the news.
