Three regional indies to benefit from BBC production fund

Three independent production companies, Twofour Productions (Plymouth), Pier Productions (Brighton) and Multi Media Arts (Manchester), are to benefit from the BBC's £100,000 ‘You Don't Need To Live In London’ fund, launched earlier this year by the Controller Entertainment Commissioning, Jane Lush.
The fund aims to boost regional production, unearthing talent that would benefit hugely from a cash injection. The announcement follows a tough selection process that attracted high calibre applicants from throughout the country.
All three independent companies will be mentored by Alan Brown, Senior Commissioning Executive at BBC Entertainment, to develop and shape their ideas over a 12-month period.
Twofour Productions has made mostly leisure/lifestyle programmes, with recent credits including ‘Gardens Through Time’ (BBC Two), ‘Accidents Can Happen’ (BBC One), ‘The City Gardener’ (Channel 4) and ‘G-Girls’ (Channel 4).
Pier Productions has a strong track record in drama, factual and comedy radio production. The company is responsible for Radio 4's interactive brands ‘Making History’ and ‘Home Planet’, as well as the recent dramatisation of William Cooper's ‘Secrets of Married Life’.
Multi Media Arts produces factual and factual entertainment shows for network and regional broadcasters. Titles include ‘Reality Bites’ (ITV1), ‘Powerhouse’ (BBC North West) and ‘The Blizzard of Odd’ (RTE Network 2).
Jane Lush said: "I'm thrilled to unveil three such talented production companies as the very first beneficiaries of the You Don't Need To Live In London Fund.
"We were all impressed by the quality of the applicants and the final decision was a hard one.
"Twofour Productions, Pier Productions and Multi Media Arts demonstrated creativity coupled with very promising ideas and I look forward to seeing our relationships develop over the next few months."
The scheme is supported by Pact, the UK trade association representing the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies.
(GB)