Fourteen Nations & Regions based indies named in Channel 4’s 2023 Emerging Indie Fund

15 November 2023

• Eight indies from across the UK named as main awardees
• Six more indies receive discretionary awards
• More than 30 N&R indies have secured commissions since its launch in 2020

Eight production companies from across the UK have been named in this year’s Emerging Indie Fund with six other N&R based indies receiving discretionary awards from Channel 4.

Channel 4’s Emerging Fund offers an effective package of support to independent production companies to help them grow, secure more business and enhance their long-term prospects.

Benefits for indies in the Emerging Indie Fund include: financial assistance for slate development; regular access to a Channel 4 Commissioning Editor; regular contact with Channel 4’s Head of Indie Relations Rebecca Thompson; development workshops; expert advice from a variety of departments within Channel 4 - commercial affairs, legal department and advertising funded programming teams; access to the 4Producers Network, and advice from a business development and slate development consultants.

The recipients of this year’s main award are: Acclaimed Content (Birmingham); Curly Media (Bristol); Enon films (Sheffield); Frank Films (Bristol); Osprey Television (Shotton); Specky Productions (Glasgow); The Slate Works (Devon & Somerset); and Walk on Air Films (Belfast).

Discretionary awards will be made to: Blair Black (Belfast); Catman Media Ltd (Belfast); Lunar Lander (Sheffield); Rock Films (Birmingham); Rock Paper Productions (Newcastle Upon Tyne); and Schnoobert Productions (Newcastle Upon Tyne). These companies will gain access to 4Producers’ networking events, development workshops and funds to help towards development of programme ideas. They will also benefit from regular access to Head of Indie Relations, Rebecca Thompson.

Channel 4’s Director of Commissioning Operations Emma Hardy said: “The Emerging Indie Fund has shown it can make a tangible difference to production companies and help them grow and secure commissions.

“Since its launch in 2020, more than 30 N&R based companies which have been invited to be part of the Emerging Indie Fund have gone on to secure commissions which shows the impact the fund can have on helping indies become more established.”

Rebecca Thompson, Channel 4’s Head of Indie Relations, said: “This is a difficult time for indies, particularly small indies based in the Nations and Regions, so we are delighted to be able to support these companies to make them more robust and also help them shape their ideas to put them in the best possible position to win commissions.”

Commissions secured by Emerging Fund Indies include: Kailash’s “Rhod Gilbert: A Pain In The Neck”; “Made In Dubai” by Angel Eye; the second season of “Living Wild” by Full Fat TV; and “Love My Face” (w/t) by Flabbergast TV.

Launched in 2020, the Emerging Indie Fund  has been specifically developed to help nurture up and coming indies, widen their networks and relationships and help them move on to the next level of their development. The fund’s focus is to support indies based in the Nations & Regions.

Channel 4 has also revealed that Belfast based Waddell Media has been recommissioned for a third 8x60’ series of Britain’s Most Expensive Houses.

Ends

Notes to editors

Indies to have secure main awards as part of the 2023 Emerging Indie Fund are:

News & Current Affairs – Specky Productions (Glasgow)

Docs - Frank Films (Bristol)

Daytime & Features – Osprey Television (Shotton);

Comedy – Enon films (Sheffield)

Specialist Factual - The Slate Works Ltd (Devon & Somerset)

Digital - Curly Media (Bristol)

Fact Ent - Acclaimed Content (Birmingham)

News & Current Affairs - Walk on Air Films (Belfast)

Discretionary award winners are:

Blair Black (Belfast)

Catman Media Ltd (Belfast)

Lunar Lander (Sheffield)

Rock Films (Birmingham)

Rock Paper Productions (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

Schnoobert Productions Limited (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

Notes to editors:

About Channel 4

Channel 4 exists to create change through entertainment. Publicly owned yet commercially funded, Channel 4 generates significant and sustainable cultural, economic and social impact across the UK – at no cost to the taxpayer.

The broadcaster’s distinctive remit is set by Parliament, and it has a role to represent unheard voices, challenge with purpose and reinvent entertainment. For over 40 years, it has been a British success story, engaging generation after generation of young people.

Through a unique publisher-broadcaster model, Channel 4 commissions its content from the UK independent production sector. Working with around 300 creative companies every year, Channel 4 makes a major contribution to the local, regional and national economy, creating and supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the country.

In 2020, Channel 4 launched its Future4 strategy to become a digital-first public service media company and to continue to deliver significant impact for UK audiences and investment into the UK creative economy.

Across its bases in London, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow, Channel 4 is turbocharging its efforts to find, nurture and develop talent across the UK. Through its training and development initiative 4Skills, Channel 4 is opening up opportunities in broadcasting, with a particular focus on disadvantaged young people, and addressing skills gaps across the Nations and Regions.

Channel 4 has the UK’s biggest free streaming service plus 11 television channels including: Channel 4, E4, E4 Extra, More4, Film4, 4Seven and The Box Plus Network. Through Film4 Productions, Channel 4 also invests in British filmmakers to huge critical acclaim, producing 37 Oscar wins and 88 BAFTA wins in its history.

https://www.channel4.com/