Future North East is our tailored leadership and development programme for ten ambitious independent production companies based in the North East of England. The two-year growth scheme - which we run in partnership with North East Screen - began in July 2023 and provides the selected companies with access to industry experts and the tools to help grow their businesses domestically and internationally.
The past twenty four months have gone by incredibly quickly and during that time the companies have taken part in modules focusing on leadership, strategy, market intelligence, business planning, creativity and development, export strategy, investment and maturity, with in person workshops and a huge range of experts sharing their insight in our regular speaker sessions.
All of them are moving their businesses forward and we look forward to seeing what’s next.
It has been great to see the cohort’s progress, their new commissions and also witness their creative entrepreneurism along with their inspirational tenacity managing the daily challenges of the industry.
Candle and Bell, Schnoobert and Northern Child have been accepted for the BBC Small Indie Fund; Wander received their first network commission; two new series from Twenty Six 03; recommissioned Morning Live films for Sea and Sky; more Robson Green's Weekend Escapes for Signpost; Motif and MCC are developing new domestic and international co-production relationships; whilst TryLife continues to move into new and exciting interactive spaces.
All of them are moving their businesses forward and we look forward to seeing what’s next, but I am going to miss finding out who is going to ask the first question of our experts during our virtual speaker sessions!
As the programme ‘matures’, our final workshop in Durham at the beginning of June was all about future gazing - what can that look like for their companies? What are the trends and challenges? It covered themes such as how, what and when to pivot; exploiting IP in the world of games; audience analysis - where are they and where are they going; and how to use AI effectively and efficiently.
Katharina Gellein Viken, Co-Founder of Metrotone Media delivers a talk at the final Future North East workshop.
The programme has been brilliantly supported by North East Screen and our thanks go to them for committing to the two-year programme. We think it shows the importance of partnerships which aim to develop, elevate and strengthen film and TV companies of all sizes and experiences across the UK as a key strategic driver towards a long-term sustainable sector.
Hopefully later this year we will be able to share with you the next iteration - and location - of the Pact Future scheme, where other companies will get to prove you are able to stay near and go far.
Future North East
Case Studies
Find out about the experiences of some of the companies who took part in our scheme.
Wander Films
"Having a group of people who are on a similar journey who are also facing the same challenges made everything feel more possible."
Schnoobert
"When we started the scheme, we were essentially a one-person operation with a website. Today, we’re a fully operational and profitable business."
Twenty Six 03
"We are much more aware of needing to work towards new funding solutions
and not rely on broadcasters funding our projects."