NI television sector and C4 forge stronger relationship

In a move designed to further relationships between television producers from Northern Ireland and the Channel 4 commissioning editors, the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission (NIFTC) co-hosted a dinner on Tuesday February 21 at the C4 offices in London.
At this, the first of a series of planned gatherings, a DVD showcasing the work of the production sector in Northern Ireland was screened. The event offered an opportunity to celebrate the work already produced here and to discuss in a relaxed forum how the television sector in Northern Ireland and the broadcaster move forward in partnership.
Attendees from Northern Ireland at the event included Colin Anderson, Chairman NIFTC, Richard Williams, CEO NIFTC and producers from some of Northern Ireland’s top television companies, Waddell Media, DoubleBand, Green Inc, Westway and Wild Rover, whose MD Philip Morrow has cause to be doubly delighted at the moment as his company is currently the only independent outside of London to have two shows airing simultaneously on the BBC network on Saturday night – ‘Just for Laughs and Get Smarter in a Week.
Anderson commented: “We were delighted to co-host this event with C4 and now look forward to a fruitful collaboration with them. It is heartening to note that this broadcaster has shown direct interest in and commitment to the independent television production sector in Northern Ireland. The NIFTC will do everything it can both in terms of lobbying and incentives to accelerate other broadcasters' shift to a production base that fully embraces the talents and capabilities in Northern Ireland."
Stuart Cosgrove, Director Nations & Regions, headed up the C4 contingent, which comprised many of the network’s senior commissioning editors from film, drama, entertainment, documentaries and daytime television. Cosgrove stated: “Over the last 3 years there has been a significant rise in the creativity and maturity of the Belfast independent production sector. Channel 4 is delighted to be working as closely as ever with them, trying to build on recent successes.”
Northern Ireland is increasingly attracting business nationally and internationally. From new and returning series including ‘Just For Laughs’, ‘Ultimate Weapons’ and ‘What Kids Really Think’ to high quality documentaries such as ‘How Heysel Changed Football’ and ‘From Belfast to Dachau’, as well as a daily magazine show, Northern Ireland is rich in creative talent - bringing great value to the area both economically and culturally.
(GB)