Screen WM, the Regional Screen Agency, has today announced it has secured £4 million of additional production funds to invest in film and digital media production over the next four years.
The biggest ever film fund to come out of the West Midlands will attract more feature film production to the region than ever before, help to support local film-making talent, boost the local economy and attract regional inward investment.
It builds on the success of previous Screen WM investment funding which brought feature films such as CONFETTI, THE ROAD TO GUANTANAMO, & STRAIGHTHEADS to worldwide audiences.
The new Media Production Fund is open to film and digital media projects from across the UK and productions will be green-lit on a commercial basis. However, an emphasis will be given to projects which film, post produce or draw creative talent from the West Midlands.
First out of the slate is the ground breaking feature film, FAINTHEART- winner of MySpace MyMovie Mash-up and the world’s first user-generated content movie, being produced and distributed by Vertigo Films. The film is Directed by Vito Rocco and will be shot entirely in the West Midlands. The recently announced 7 picture deal with mini-studio Slingshot is also part of this timely development.
Screen WM’s Head of Production and Development, Lee Thomas, says:
“This announcement provides a huge boost for the West Midlands’ film industry as regional film funding remains a cornerstone of film financing in the UK. This development helps secure this Region’s future in the rapidly expanding film and digital media content business. We’re hoping to attract significant production to the West Midlands, whilst supporting our homegrown talent.”
Screen WM’s fund is supported by RDA Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund from the Government Office for the West Midlands. Suzie Norton, Screen WM CEO adds,
“The strong partnership between the Regional Screen Agency and the Regional Development Agency has enabled us to work together to deliver a fantastic offer for the UK film industry. Bringing in further support from Government means we are now in a position to invest more in production than ever before.”
Filed under: Business, Careers, Creative Industries, Creative Support, Film, Media, New Media, Video Production
[...] Creative Wolverhampton have posted the press release from Screen West Midlands about their securing “£4 million of additional production funds to invest in film and digital media production over the next four years.” The new Media Production Fund is open to film and digital media projects from across the UK and productions will be green-lit on a commercial basis. However, an emphasis will be given to projects which film, post produce or draw creative talent from the West Midlands. Share This [...]