Directors Strengthen Northern Film Team

Two new directors have been appointed to help Northern Film & Media deliver for the region's commercial creative industries across film, TV, games, innovation and music.
Agnes Wilkie takes up the role of Creative Industries Director after leading the prestigious International Development Programme at the Research Centre (TRCmedia), Glasgow and Samantha Stamp joins Northern Film & Media as Operations Director from ITV.
The appointments come as Northern Film & Media invests almost £1 million in film, TV and games projects.
The money will ensure production returns to the North East before the end of the year. The screen agency also moved offices in July 2009 to spearhead a new commercial creative hub at Hoults Yard in the East End of Newcastle.
Tom Harvey, Chief Executive of Northern Film & Media, said: "Sam and Agnes are fantastic additions to the Northern Film & Media team.
"They bring with them solid industry experience, knowledge and connections. Their input will be invaluable in the coming months and years as Northern Film & Media helps to shape the commercial creative industries in the region.
"I'm already looking forward to working with them and to introducing them to our partners and clients," he said.
Agnes Wilkie, Creative Industries Director at Northern Film & Media, said: "This is a hugely important time for the commercial creative industries in the region.
"If our regional talent is to thrive and grow, we need to evolve new ways of working. We need to connect regional talent to national and international markets and develop a more commercial approach to our creative work.
"It's about building a networked and sustainable infrastructure for the North East. Northern Film & Media and its partners are at the forefront of making this a reality for the region. I'm excited by the challenge this provides for Northern Film & Media."
Agnes Wilkie is a multi Bafta award-winning Executive Producer. She spent ten years as Head of Features and Entertainment at Scottish TV, where she also executive produced several feature films, including an Edinburgh International Film Festival Audience Award winner.
For the past three years, Agnes has led TRCmedia's International Development Programme, taking independent production companies from across the UK and Ireland to the international market.
Samantha Stamp, Operations Director at Northern Film & Media, said: "From media literacy to feature film production, games and interactive media to documentary film making, I've been impressed by the range and impact of Northern Film & Media's work. The organisation is dedicated to making production happen in the region across film, TV, games and innovation. The investments the organisation is making, the events it runs and the services it offers make a real difference to the North East, its people and ultimately the regional economy. I'm excited about where Northern Film & Media can go in the coming years and the role I can play in helping the organisation get there."
Samantha has a strong track record in television, from helping to establish the Disney Channel Studio to working as a factual entertainment Production Executive. She has worked for all the major broadcasters, including ITV from 1998. During her time at ITV, Samantha worked on big brand shows including The 100 Greatest... After They Were Famous, Challenge Anneka and event programming such as The Beckhams' World Cup Party.
(KMcA/BMcC)