Scottish Factual Development Fund shared out

Six Scottish-based television production companies are to receive an investment of up to £40,000 each, to allow them to develop their business in the area of high-end factual programming.
After a highly competitive selection process, Channel 4 and Scottish Screen – which invited applications from Scottish companies to share in their Scottish Factual Development Fund – have now identified those companies which they believe show the most potential for expansion and therefore will contribute to the growth of the creative industries in Scotland.
The Scottish Factual Development Fund will be shared amongst: Caledonia, Sterne & Wyld (£40,000); Ideal World (£40,000); Mentorn Scotland (£35,000); Wark Clements (£35,000); Blackwatch Productions (£25,000) and Brighter Pictures (£25,000). Many of these companies will use this assistance to lever match funding from other financial sources and invest in business planning. Companies across the region were invited to apply for up to £50,000 from the £200,000 fund.
Factual programme production is one of the key strengths of television production in Scotland and is estimated to be worth in excess of £30 million per annum. The fund aims to build on that strength by supporting companies with proven reputations.
Each of the six successful companies demonstrated how a significant investment would build up their competitive presence in the area of factual programming on major television networks and international documentary markets. The emphasis was not on local regional production nor on single films, but on higher value network programmes.
The investments will be utilised in different ways by the successful companies. Mentorn Scotland will use their £35,000 investment to relocate a new landmark series from London to Glasgow, and to build a significant R&D base in the city. Their award has immediate benefits in both job creation and sectoral development.
Ideal World will now focus on developing a team of specialists in the field of popular science and exploration programming.
Blackwatch Productions, Brighter Pictures and Caledonia, Sterne & Wyld will use the financial assistance to appoint personnel to develop programme ideas, focusing on the national and international popular factual television market.
Scottish Screen, www.scottishscreen.com
(GB)