Regional screen agency Screen Yorkshire has launched a new and exciting four-year programme, following the announcement of £10 million of funding from Yorkshire Forward.
The programme aims to make Yorkshire the leading centre for low budget feature film production in the UK while at the same time attracting higher levels of film and television drama to the region. This is the largest award to date from a regional development agency to a regional screen agency.
As a major part of its new programme, Screen Yorkshire plans to strengthen indigenous film production in the region and build on Yorkshire’s growing reputation as a centre for low budget, innovative filmmaking, established by investments in projects such as 'Yasmin', 'Mischief Night', and 'This Is England'.
During the Cannes Film Festival, Screen Yorkshire will be hosting a Sunday lunch on May 21 with EM Media to launch Screen Yorkshire’s new investment initiatives and to promote both agencies’ role in taking UK filmmaking in a new and exciting direction. Actor Patrick Stewart will attend the lunch.
Over the last year, Screen Yorkshire has been working closely with partners EM Media, UK Film Council and Film Four to support a new pioneering digital film studio Warp X, based in Yorkshire. Warp X will make seven films using cutting edge digital technology and low budget production methods, to make high value movies reaching cinema audiences across the world.
Mark Herbert, Producer, Warp Films, said: “Warp X is going to re-tox British cinema. We are creating the opportunity for outstanding talent to make fresh and exhilarating films in innovative ways. Regionally made films for global audiences.”
Screen Yorkshire will build on its success in attracting production by investing in feature film and returning television drama series and developing the infrastructure and skilled workforce needed to market the region nationally and internationally as a production base. Plans include launching an online location and crewing database to market the regional workforce around the world; continuing to offer industry accredited training opportunities; and expanding the filming services on offer.
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