Staff
Chief Executive
Alison is responsible for fundraising and identifying new sources of revenue and developing the organisation’s programming activity. She works to expand the organisation’s commercial operations and broaden its relationship with potential stakeholders, from local councils and regional businesses, to arts and other media organisations.
Operations Director
Gayle is responsible for operational processes and day to day delivery of Northern Film & Media’s production service, NFM Crew Academy, project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting schedules including ERDF. She was previously our Head of Production Service responsible for promoting the region to film and TV production companies encouraging them to film in the North East.
Tees Valley Screen Professional Development Manager (p/t)
Lisa is the key point of contact leading NFM’s SME professional development programme of activity with Tees Valley Combined Authority and other funded professional development projects and commissions.
Lisa also manages our North East Comedy HotHouse project.
Tees Valley Screen Monitoring Manager (p/t)
Teresa manages the monitoring and evaluation requirements of Northern Film + Media ERDF Tees Valley Screen Development project.
Production Service Manager
Katie is the first point of contact for Northern Film + Media’s Production Service. Responsible for promoting the region to film and TV production companies encouraging them to film in the North East.
Katie also supports productions looking for regional crew, location and facilities and is responsible for maintaining a comprehensive database.
Finance Manager p/t
Kaman is responsible for NFM’s finances.
Working closely with Alison, Gayle and Teresa, Kaman will have an oversight of the budgets and income streams, managing the day-to-day cash flow and ensuring we all get paid!
Tees Valley Screen Programme Coordinator
Willem co-ordinates NFM’s Production Service, supporting productions in hiring regional locations, crew, and facilities.
He also maintains our diverse and comprehensive database of North East locations – if you’re interested in registering a property you own, drop him an email.
Tees Valley Screen Monitoring Coordinator
Cal is the first point of contact for SMEs engaging with the ERDF funded Tees Valley Screen project, being responsible for checking eligibility for support as well as delivering the entry needs diagnostics. He also ensures all of their information is kept up to date and works closely with the Tees Valley Screen steering groups, identifying new funding opportunities and the production of narrative reports.
North East Comedy Hot House Talent Development Coordinator
Mark joined us in early 2022 is the first point of contact for writers, producers, directors and writer/performers wishing to develop scripted comedy.
He loves, lives and breathes comedy and can be found at stand-up gigs, producing sketches and developing comedy ideas when he isn’t at work.
Mark genuinely cares about championing and growing comedy in the region and likes to have a laugh along the way.
PA to the Chief Executive and the Office Coordinator
Sherilyn is the first point of contact for anyone wanting to get hold of our Chief Executive. She also organises all of our full-team events and ensures our office has everything we need to function.
Born and raised in Teesside, her background is within the creative arts. She has a huge passion for film, TV and media following 11 years’ experience within the industry.
Marketing and Communications Manager
Victoria is responsible for delivering all marketing and communication activity, promoting NFM to a wide range of audiences and partners.
Working closely with all lines of the business, she develops marketing campaigns to promote our bespoke talent and business development programme for emerging and established film and television professionals. She is the first point of contact for press enquiries and looks after our social media channels.
Victoria has experience of delivering marketing and communications in a range of organisations across the North East in both the public and private sectors.
Victoria is covering for Jo whilst she is on maternity leave.
Industry Advisors
Executive Producer – North East Comedy Hot House
NFM created a unique partnership with scripted comedy executive, Emma Lawson, to launch North East Comedy Hot House; a first-of-its kind comedy co-op cultivating regional talent, both on and off screen.
Emma hails from Co Durham and has over 20 years experience in scripted television production and development. She worked for 10 of those years with Ash Atalla (The Office) at Roughcut TV on projects such as Cuckoo, People Just Do Nothing & Hospital People. Emma recently produced Apple TV+’s first scripted comedy, Trying, and subsequently joined Jay Hunt’s commissioning team at Apple TV+ leading on comedy. She is now working as a consultant at Universal Music & Mercury Studios across their global scripted slate, as well as producing a new comedy drama for Sky One based on her own experiences of step parenting.
Emma is a passionate regional advocate working regularly on regional inclusion and mentoring programmes.
Board
Emmy award-winning executive producer, writer and consultant, currently working with Battlebots Inc on their primetime entertainment series, now in its second series on ABC.
Arts Council Director in North West/National Director Combined Arts.
Chief Executive Officer of Northern Film + Media.
