£1M investment announced in Northwest film and TV industry

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has announced a further investment of £1 million to boost independent film and television production throughout England’s Northwest.
Hosting an exclusive showcase for the big hitters of the film and television industries in London, the NWDA confirmed the second stage of funding for the Regional Attraction Fund (RAF).
Delivered by North West Vision, the RAF is used to attract independent film and television makers to the region and to support the region’s existing high growth companies. Hat Trick Productions, Baby Cow and Channel X have all received assistance through the RAF in establishing their operations in the Northwest. The Northwest’s film and television talent, first class production facilities and leading locations were highlighted at a high profile event in Manchester Square, London on June 21 2005.
Organised by the NWDA in conjunction with North West Vision, this was a unique opportunity for key industry figures involved in television and film to find out what the Northwest has to offer. It included sneak previews of the hottest new material and information about the range of funding and services available.
Hosted by Newsnight’s Gavin Esler, the event kicked-off with a thought-provoking panel discussion with top industry professionals including Jane Tranter, BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning, Steve Norris, UK Film Council International British Commissioner, Henry Normal, founder of Baby Cow Productions and Andy Patterson, Film Producer.
Steve Morrison, Chair of North West Vision and Chief Executive of All3Media, and Peter Mearns, NWDA Director of Marketing, also discussed the Northwest region as a desirable filming location.
Speaking at the event in London, Peter Mearns, NWDA Director of Marketing, said: “I am very pleased to announce further funding of £1 million to boost independent film and television production in England’s Northwest. This is an incredibly exciting time for television and film in England’s Northwest, and this fund will promote the region’s already excellent ability.
“We are home to some of the brightest talent, we produce the hottest new material, and can boast first-class production facilities and locations. I invite everyone involved in the television and film industries to come to this dynamic region and see why there has never been a better time to work in England’s Northwest.”
Alice Morrison, Chief Executive of North West Vision, added: “We at North West Vision are thrilled with the news that (through the additional funding of £1 million from NWDA) we will be able to extend the Regional Attraction Fund (RAF) to April 2007. Our mission is to champion the Northwest TV and film industry and we have proved that an investment in production is an investment in the region as a whole. The RAF has already attracted top production companies to set up regional bases, created numerous job opportunities and attracted millions of pounds of inward investment to the region. This really is fantastic news.”
“The Northwest is one of the finest filming locations in the UK as it offers the whole film and TV package. We have wonderfully diverse locations, first class talent, top facilities and excellent funding initiatives. We are delighted that the NWDA have given us this opportunity to highlight and showcase our region in London to film and TV industry professionals.”
The Northwest has long been the biggest hub of TV production in England outside London with 11% of all new terrestrial network programmes produced in this dynamic region.
Over the last quarter filming has increased by 21% in Manchester and 15% in Liverpool, and in light of the BBC’s recent announcement to create the UK’s second biggest network broadcasting and production hub in Manchester, the television and film spotlight is firmly on the Northwest.
Production companies and television and film talent are now taking the opportunity to work in this growing region and to open production bases in the Northwest.
(GB)