The region’s film, TV & games industries have received a significant boost today as the BFI announces that the Yorkshire Screen Industries Hub bid, led by Screen Yorkshire, has been awarded National Lottery funding from the BFI through its Creative Clusters Challenge Fund, which aims to support the growth of emerging screen sector centres outside London and the South-East.
Matched by funding from a Yorkshire-wide consortium, Screen Yorkshire, in partnership with industry leaders Game Republic and Sheffield Doc/Fest, will spearhead the hub’s mission to build sustainable, long-term growth in the region’s burgeoning film, TV and games industries and maintain its competitiveness in a global industry.
The Yorkshire Screen Industries Hub will receive £127,000 through the BFI’s Creative Clusters Fund as seed funding for a plan to expand the region’s creative sector infrastructure and skills base. ‘Creating the Production Powerhouse’ is a nine-month programme of work beginning March 2016, that will identify the investment required for skills, training, infrastructure and knowledge sharing, to enable the Yorkshire and Humber region to compete globally. The BFI Award is matched by regional partners to create a total investment of £254,000.
Sally Joynson, Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire says, ‘’this is fantastic news for everyone working in the film, TV and games sectors in Yorkshire, now and in the future. It’s a huge vote of confidence in our screen industries and will enable us to build a compelling case for further investment in the sector. Over the last three years alone, Screen Yorkshire has invested more than £14 million into 38 feature films and TV programmes, including the new film production of Dad’s Army, award-winning TV drama Peaky Blinders and BAFTA™ nominated feature ’71.’’
“We’ll be embarking on a programme of work from March 2016, in partnership with industry leaders Game Republic and Sheffield Doc/Fest, to shape the region’s screen landscape for years to come; stimulating economic growth, creating new jobs and helping us to nurture a new generation of talent helping to establish Yorkshire as a global centre for film, television and games.”
Yorkshire and Humber has a strong video games ecosystem which includes business network Game Republic, as well as major internationally-recognised games studios including Team17, Sumo Digital and Revolution Software, informal groups such as GaMaYo, and smaller independent start-ups such as Red Kite Games and Boneloaf. Yorkshire and Humber is also home to Games Britannia, an award-winning video games education festival hosted by Sheffield Hallam, and the innovative and exciting Platform Expos in Hull.
“As the longest-established and largest network dedicated to the games industry in the region, Game Republic is incredibly excited about the success of the CCCF bid,” said Managing Director of Game Republic, Jamie Sefton. “We’re looking forward to working with Screen Yorkshire on recognising the scope of the vibrant Yorkshire and Humber games industry and also maximising the opportunities for investment and development of the sector.”
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