Six of the Tees Valley’s most ambitious production companies have embarked on their journey to become global broadcast production companies through Northern Film + Media’s (NFM) Producers Fast Track programme.
Producers Fast Track, a Tees Valley Screen initiative in partnership with Pact, has identified six producers and production companies who have all demonstrated a strong record and ambition to build a sustainable global broadcast business. Autokino, Arcus Studios, Freya Films, Sea and Sky Pictures, Shoot on Site and Wander Films will be provided with a year of support via NFM and the Pact nations and regions teams as part of the Pact Growth Accelerator Programme.
Over the next 12 months the producers will not only access tools and industry knowledge to support their own individual growth plans, but also connect with one another to create a strong Tees Valley network of producers and production companies who all have the capabilities of becoming global broadcast businesses and making the North East screen industry globally competitive.
Ben Young of Autokino, said,
“Launching a production start-up in the Tees Valley (during COVID, no less) has had it challenges, especially when working across an omnivorous range of forms and genres, and navigating the distinct idiosyncrasies of the film and broadcast tribes.
“Producers Fast Track – and the massive resources and network that come with PACT membership – couldn’t have come at a more crucial time in that journey for Autokino.”
Lou Toner, Managing Director at Wander Films said,
“Wander are stoked to be involved in the Producers Fast Track Programme. We are proud to be a production company based in the Tees Valley and having an initiative like this will not only benefit the company but the region as a whole.
“We would love to see more creatives choose the North East, and particularly the Tees Valley, as their place to work because we have everything we could want on our doorstep.”
Chief Executive of NFM, Alison Gwyn, said,
“It’s been a real pleasure to welcome these six production companies onto our Producers Fast Track programme. All six offer something completely different to the North East screen industries and we can’t wait to see them take on some global broadcast projects very soon.”
It is hoped that this scheme will continue in the future, offering similar opportunities to more of the Tees Valley’s production companies to be a thriving network of businesses in the region.
Get to know our producers a bit more. Head to Meet our Producers and read what they’ve been up to.