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The Creative Cities Convention has chosen OPPORTUNITY as its theme for 2023, to reflect the rapid growth of the screen sector outside London in all four corners of the UK.

The conference, which travels to a different city each year and provides the industry’s only dedicated platform for anyone working in film, TV or digital media outside London, will take place at the historic Boiler Shop in Newcastle, where Robert Stephenson built the first steam engine in the early 1800s.

‘The Victorians understood how to harness ingenuity and talent outside London and we’re doing the same,’ says conference director Ruth Pitt. ‘We’re channelling opportunity as a theme because the growth of our industry in the Nations and Regions is starting to make a real difference to local economies and communities.’

The 2023 event is being delivered with support from the twelve local authorities and three combined authorities in the North East – who have collaborated to form the North East Screen Industries Partnership.

‘We are thrilled to welcome the Creative Cities Convention to Newcastle, the heart of the North East,’ says Invest Newcastle director Jen Hartley. ‘Our city and wider region have recently experienced tremendous growth in the creative industries sector, with ambitious plans being brought forward for new production facilities and jobs being created for local residents at all levels. We can’t wait to showcase our city and welcome everyone here later in April.’

As well as the main event in Newcastle, several other activities will take place across the region.

On Teesside a morning of masterclasses for over 100 students will run at Teesside University in Middlesbrough, with students from colleges and universities arriving by coach from across the region. And in Darlington a small leaders’ breakfast will be hosted by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, to discuss the strategic development of the industry – boosted recently by government levelling-up funds to establish a media village in Hartlepool.

In Sunderland on April 24^th there will also be an address to students at the University of Sunderland by Rhodri Talfan Davies, the BBC’s Director of Nations, whose speech “More local than ever: The BBC at the heart of local communities” will explain the BBC’s plans to ‘transform its local services and the opportunity to offer local communities even more in the future’. Rhodri is in charge of BBC services for the nations and local audiences across Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland.

The University of Sunderland is also supporting a conference session on the growth of film and TV studios outside London, reflecting independent production company Fulwell 73’s plans to develop major studios on the banks of the Wear in Sunderland and deliver global industry impact.

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer says: ‘We are proud to be part of the boost to the screen sector in the North East. We’re now on track to exceed the £25 million we promised to the region and have already delivered six new commissions while supporting production, talent development and the creative sector. It’s the perfect location for this year’s Creative Cities Convention.’

Channel 4’s MD of Nations and Regions Sinead Rocks will talk to host Kirsty Wark about the channel’s plans for growth outside London now that privatisation is off the table, and Channel 4 head of drama Caroline Hollick, based in Leeds, will join a stellar panel including Nicola Shindler, the head of ITV Studios-owned indie Quay Street, to share thoughts on the strong new regional voice of drama. Glasgow based commissioner Deborah Dunnett and senior comedy commissioner Andy Brereton will also contribute on behalf of Channel 4.

Elsewhere, ITV’s group director of diversity and inclusion Ade Rawcliffe will join Channel 4 director of commissioning operations Emma Hardy and 5 News editor Cait Fitzsimons to discuss making TV a happier place to work, and ITV factual supremo Jo Clinton-Davis and UKTV’s Director of Commissioning Hilary Rosen will offer clues for delegates on the future of factual television.

The ongoing skills shortage will be tackled in depth, with Sonny Hanley, ITV Academy Director, among those assessing the areas of greatest need. He says: ‘Supporting the regions is at the heart of what we do at ITV. I am delighted to be a part of this year’s Creative Cities Convention. This is a step towards change in our industry and ensuring that the future is bright for talented creatives to pursue a career in a sector that needs them.’

Two of the industry’s leading figures – Pact CEO John McVay and ITV’s group director of Strategy, Policy and Regulation Magnus Brooke – will discuss what the newly published draft Media Bill could mean for broadcasters and producers.

As well as the convention’s original stakeholders – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5/Paramount and Pact – the event is this year supported by Banijay UK, returning for a second year, and UKTV, who are partnering with the CCC for the first time.

Hilary Rosen, UKTV’s Director of Commissioning says, ‘It’s fantastic to be partnering with the Creative Cities Convention this year. Some of our most successful and returnable programmes are made by production partners based in the regions so we are excited to come to Newcastle and start more conversations about collaborating with North East indies.’

Conference discussions will range from the growth of studios to insights on factual television, the serious business of comedy, growing a successful indie outside London and bagging a big hit returning series, which will include the star of the successful series Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. A session called Northern Treasures will welcome three more of the North East’s best known names – Sara Davies from Dragon’s Den, Si King from Hairy Bikers and Scarlett Moffatt of Gogglebox fame.

Delegates have already booked speed-dates with commissioning editors from all the main channels and a big networking party hosted by Banijay UK promises to maximise opportunities for connection and collaboration across the UK. A selection of shows made outside London will be explored in a Meet The Makers feature and an industry marketplace will house a range of industry organisations supporting the development of the screen sector.

North East Screen (formerly Northern Film and Media) has appointed Oscar and BAFTA winning film producer David Parfitt as their new Chair to help steer the organisation at an exciting and pivotal time for the film and TV industry in the North East.

Following record investment in the screen industry in the North East region with a £25m commitment from the BBC, a new partnership with 12 local authorities and 3 combined authorities bringing £11.4m investment to the table and significant new studio developments in the region, David’s appointment confirms that the North East is open for business.

David grew up in Sunderland and his connection to the region brings with it a passion and desire to support the organisation to benefit the people of the North East. He brings an outstanding track record and remarkable achievements in over 35 years working as an independent film, TV and theatre producer. His many films include: Shakespeare in Love, My Week with Marilyn and The Father.

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen said;

“David joins us at a crucial time in the development of the North East’s screen industry. We are delivering an ambitious programme of activity for the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) which aims to significantly increase TV and film production in the region.

To do this we want to attract Production Companies to the North East where talent is in abundance. We want to create jobs and opportunities in the industry for local people and businesses connected with the supply chain, and supercharge the access to skills in the region so that the productions that are coming to the North East are fully supported by a skilled and developed workforce.

David’s experience and credentials speak for themselves but his passion and commitment to the region makes him a perfect fit to ensure our organization grows and serves the industry to maximum effect. Job creation and inward investment are our priorities and we are extremely delighted that David is on board to help us to achieve our ambitions.”

David Parfitt, new Chair of North East Screen said;

“Our generation had to leave Sunderland to pursue careers in the creative industries. I want to be part of an organization who can do something to change that. The media landscape is changing and I feel this is the first time there’s been an opportunity to have sustainable careers in film and TV in this region – which is fantastic.

The media industries are huge engines of our national economy and our region wants to be a bigger part of that. Training is at the heart of it all and the support of our local colleges and universities is key. We’re here to provide the next step, attracting people early as they choose their careers and letting them know that this a really viable industry.

The North East already has amazing talent, brilliant locations for filming and a sector that is growing rapidly and the announcement of new studios for Sunderland will further increase capacity, providing work for our newly trained crews and helping encourage North East talent currently based elsewhere to come home.”

David takes over the reins from Tom Gutteridge, the Emmy award-winning TV producer, writer and broadcast executive (Mentorn/FremantleMedia).

David continued;

“I’d like to thank Tom for his commitment to the organization over the past 14 years.  He inherited an underfunded screen agency in real difficulties and with the support of the amazing team led by Alison, built it into the thriving organisation it is today.  We are all hugely grateful.”

Tom Gutteridge said:   I am absolutely delighted that David has agreed to take over at such an exciting time for North East Screen. He brings exactly the stature and stability the organization needs as it enters the next phase of growth and delivery. Since I first joined the board of NFM 14 years ago, we’ve been on a rollercoaster ride: from the almost-terminal loss of funding following the closure of One North East, through the years of bare survival, to the restructuring and resurrection that has led to the healthy, successful organization we see today.

I’m incredibly proud to have been asked to lead such a loyal, passionate and dynamic team for the last decade. Since our appointment of the dynamic Alison Gwynn in 2017, it has never looked back, and today the future of the entire North East screen sector, from broadcast to movies, digital to corporate, has never been rosier. I wish David, and all the board, every success.”

The organisation is also delighted to welcome Graeme Thompson MBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor of External Relations at the University of Sunderland to the Board. Before joining the University a decade ago, Graeme was managing director of ITV Tyne Tees following a career as a programme maker, commissioner and BBC radio producer.

Also joining at this time is Fahima Chowdhury, Line Producer for High End Television Production. Fahima brings a wealth of TV experience in both Factual and Drama and launched and ran the region’s previous Production Fund which helped bring productions to the North East such as Vera, George Gently, Joe Madison’s War and United.

Sunderland-born founder of global production company unveils plans for film studios, creating one of Europe’s largest facilities, bringing 8,450 jobs.

FulwellCain Studios, a joint venture between global entertainment company Fulwell 73 and Cain International, has today announced plans for Crown Works Studios in Sunderland, which will be one of the largest filmmaking complexes in Europe, creating some 8,450 jobs across the North East over the next decade. 

The plans are being described by city leaders as ‘the single most significant development announcement to come out of the North East in decades’ and will build on Fulwell 73’s existing presence in the city.  The JV will spearhead the development of a 1.68m sq ft film industry hub at Pallion, with up to 20 premium sound stages suitable for major feature film and HETV productions. The scheme – which requires support from Government to go ahead – will be delivered in three phases, with work set to start in 2023 and the final phase set to complete by 2027. 

Subject to planning processes, Crown Works Studios will stand on land on the banks of the river Wear, which played a critical role throughout the industrial revolution, when the city was a shipbuilding powerhouse.

The studios will be transformational for the city’s economy, cultivating an eco-system on a scale not seen since Nissan’s investment in Sunderland in the 1980s, while meeting the growing demand for studio space in the UK.  Upon completion, the scheme could generate £336m for the local economy every year, creating jobs and contract opportunities spanning a vast range of disciplines including the trades and manual skills.  

Fulwell 73’s partners; Gabe Turner, Ben Turner, Leo Pearlman, Ben Winston and James Corden issued this joint statement: “We are unified in our belief that there is a unique opportunity to bring further high end production to the UK through this ambitious Sunderland based studio project; putting the region on the map as a global production destination.”

Leo Pearlman, managing partner at Fulwell 73, continued: “Fulwell is a company built on family and the North East is embedded in our DNA.  For over 100 years my family had a business here in Sunderland and called this great City home, so to be able to bring Fulwell back to where the inspiration for our global entertainment company began is a truly humbling experience.

Through delivering the studios, we will create a long term production industry infrastructure, attract even more significant high end production to the UK and ensure that future generations of North Eastern talent can develop and prosper at home within the region.”

Crown Works Studios will include provision for production workshops and office space, a vendor village for supply chain businesses, administrative and social facilities, a multi-storey car park and an extensive backlot. 

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen said: “Fulwell’s studio announcement is a world class game changer and builds on the North East’s vision for growing the screen industry. We fully support their ambition, and we will work closely with them to build the skills and infrastructure required, supporting both crew and local businesses to become an important part of the supply chain needed to serve the productions made there. 

Their studio will be a global player and will need our regional crew workforce, and the highly experienced world class talent from the region, who had to leave for career progression, to come home. We will also need to develop a new generation of industry-ready entrants, and career changers who can step across in technical and craft areas from other industries. This is a phenomenal opportunity for the people of the North East”

The project is supported by Sunderland City Council, which has brought together a number of key partners to work with the investors to shape plans including around the development of the skills-base needed to support the scheme.

The scheme is in addition to already announced plans for Shipyard Studios which will support a wider cluster of film and media activity. 

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “These are absolutely unparalleled proposals that – if approved – will reinvent the Sunderland economy, establishing the city as home to a modern and growing industry that will create jobs and opportunities for thousands of people across the North East.

“This is a vote of confidence for the city and its people – recognising Sunderland’s history of innovation and of making things.  We have been working on these plans with Fulwell 73 and Cain for many months, so it’s absolutely brilliant to finally be in position to unveil them, and to demonstrate the scale of ambition we have for this city.  It’s absolutely transformational and something we’re determined to see through.”

Strong partnerships are being established to ensure that Sunderland reaps maximum advantage from the opportunity – from the job creation it will bring to the economic prosperity it could generate through increased footfall and spend in the heart of the city.  These relationships will be key in delivering the skills needed to power the studio and grow a sustainable film and media ecosystem.