£1.2m to boost the North East's film trade

Jan 26 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

Small businesses in particular will receive support to access new markets via the internet, mobile phones, games and interactive media industries. They will also receive help to take advantage of national funding such as Channel 4’s 4IP fund.

Mr Harvey said: “Our core activities will facilitate innovation, business growth and collaboration in the commercial creative sector, connect clients to local, national and international markets, and increase inward investment opportunities for the region.”

The latest pot of cash comes from the European Regional Development Fund 2007-13, which is bringing a total of £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support.

The total regional funding aims to create and safeguard 28,000 jobs, start 3,000 businesses and increase the region’s productivity by £1.1bn annually.

One North East helped to secure the £1.22m for NFM, which comes on top of £1.84m that the regional development agency has already given to the film agency through its Single Programme.

One North East head of business investment Dr Simon Goon said: “Northern Film & Media is boosting creative and technical talent and nurturing the growth of the region’s media sector. The additional investment from Europe will build and sustain successful creative and digital businesses, allowing them to exploit new technology and compete in national and global markets.

“We want our region to become a focal point for the production of creative content, as well as a world-class and cost-effective place to shoot both film and television.”