Channel 4’s 2022 Emerging Indie Fund opens for applications

29 September 2022

Channel 4 has launched its 2022 Emerging Indie Fund which offers small Nations and Regions based indies the opportunity to take their businesses to the next level.

The launch follows last year’s successful run which saw small N&R indies secure developments and commissions worth more than £5million.

Independent production companies will be selected to participate in Channel 4’s Emerging Indie Fund which will offer them a range of support including development funding, monthly slate development routines with a Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, access to networking events, development workshops and insights into the Channel 4 commissioning process.

A small number of indies may also be selected for Discretionary Awards which will give the chosen companies access to 4Producers networking events, development workshops and funds to help towards development of programme ideas. All indies selected will also be able to benefit from routine meetings with Channel 4’s Head of Indie Relations, Rebecca Thompson.

Rebecca said: “The Emerging Indie Fund has proven itself to be a really powerful process to help nurture talented indies in the Nations and Regions, with many companies going on to secure their first commissions within the channel and become more sustainable. We know that there is a wealth of production talent in the Nations and Regions and are looking forward to finding our next cohort of indies.”

The 12 companies that joined the 2021 Emerging Indie Fund cohort came from across the UK and included indies from Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool. Eight further indies from across the UK - Cardiff, Eastbourne, Essex, Glasgow, Hartlepool, Herne Bay, Leeds and Leicester – received discretionary awards.

Between them the indies have gone on to secure a number of developments and commissions which include Love My Face (Flabbergast), the second series of Living Wild (Full Fat TV) and the second series of Secret Services (Zandland). And feedback from indies has been overwhelmingly positive.

Rich Bentley from Postcard Productions in Wales said: “There really doesn't feel like any equivalent and it completely cemented C4 as the supporter of small indies and diverse and regional talent.”

Louise Brannon from Sea and Sky Pictures in Hartlepool said: “The Emerging Indie Fund has been invaluable for our company. It has built our confidence and enabled us to really start developing as a business.”

Ed Taylor, MD at Honey Bee in Bristol, said: “It was an excellent introduction into the inner workings of Channel 4 and everyone was welcoming, encouraging and empathetic. We have been delighted to be a part of it.”

Applications are now open and indies are invited to target specific genres – Entertainment, Factual Entertainment, News and Current Affairs, Daytime and Features, Documentaries, Specialist Factual, Comedy, Drama and Digital.

Details on how to apply can be found at https://www.channel4.com/commissioning/emerging-indie-fund