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All aboard the Hot House Comedy Shuttle!

Posted on 5 August 20228 August 2022 by North East Screen

North East Screen and NEScreen Comedy Hot House have organised a bus to take comedy producers/writers/performers from the North East to the Edinburgh Festival for free on Thursday the 25th of August for the entire day.

TV comedy executives and indies all descend on Edinburgh for the final week of the Fringe Festival, creating a perfect networking opportunity for North East creatives.

The bus will be setting off from the North East early in the morning to allow for approximately 8 hours in Edinburgh.

If you’d like to join us, please register your interest via our Eventbrite page.

Please note, signing up to this event means you are registering your interest. Places are limited and we will send out a confirmation of your place on the bus on Tuesday the 16th of August. If you do not receive a confirmation from us, then unfortunately you will not be admitted on the bus. You must be based in the North East to attend this event.

Email hothouse@northeastscreen.org for more information. Keep an eye on the North East Screen and NEScreen Comedy Hot House socials to stay up to date with upcoming events.

Special thanks to the BBC City of Comedy for funding this amazing opportunity!

Sea & Sky pictures announced as North East Indie partner for BBC Comedy’s first ever Regional Partnership Scheme

Posted on 1 August 202210 October 2022 by North East Screen

North East Screen and Hat Trick Productions announce Sea & Sky pictures as North East Indie partner for BBC Comedy’s first ever Regional Partnership Scheme.

The new scheme was announced earlier this year as part of the BBC City of Comedy package.

Following an in depth selection process, involving industry leaders across business and editorial, Sea & Sky Pictures has been selected as the North East production company to co-develop a slate of ideas for BBC Comedy working alongside Hat Trick as part of the BBC’s Regional Partnership Scheme.

From a selection of 25 North East companies who applied, seven companies were introduced to the team at Hat Trick, with three going into more detailed conversations. Following these discussions Sea & Sky Pictures has been identified by Hat Trick as the company to work alongside them.

Jimmy Mulville, Managing Director of Hat Trick Productions said;
“It’s clear that the North East is teaming with talented producers and writers so it was difficult to select just one company for this particular opportunity, but having done so I can’t tell you how excited we are to be working with Sea & Sky on getting some brilliant projects to screen.”

Adam Bouabda, Managing Director of Sea & Sky Pictures added;
“The co-operation that it’s taken to get this initiative off the ground is phenomenal, I owe a massive thank you to Alison Gwynn, Lisa Laws, Jimmy Mulville and Emma Lawson. Sea & Sky Pictures will benefit massively from this partnership because I’ve never had the opportunity to work inside of a big indie, so I feel like we’re getting a look behind the curtain. We’ve got a great slate of comedy projects that I know Hat Trick are going to love and getting to develop four of them with the experienced team they have, is going to make it an interesting journey.”

Sea & Sky Pictures will receive £15,000 as part of the partnership to co-develop a slate of original comedy projects over a 6-monthy period.

Candle and Bell and Schnoobert Productions, the two other production companies who Hat Trick showed a keen interest in will also benefit from the process and will be awarded a £5,000 development bursary from BBC Comedy. The additional engagement was engineered as a response to having so much promising talent presented for the scheme and BBC Comedy wanting to support and engage with as many potential suppliers in the region as possible. The fund will also include time with the BBC commissioning team, and bespoke business support from North East Screen including PACT membership.

Lisa Laws, Head of Talent and Professional Development at North East Screen said;
“Working in partnership with the commissioning and business teams at BBC and Hat Trick on this scheme has already given a huge boost to the development of scripted comedy in the North East. It was great to see so many exciting regional companies step up for this opportunity to co-develop with a world class indie like Hat Trick. It shows we don’t have a shortage of ambition, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for producing exceptional TV comedy from and in the region.

This is not a win for one it’s a win for all and I am sure we will see the talent in the region working together to make the most of this and the future opportunities it will unlock. It’s a very exciting time for all the companies and talent involved.”

Emma Lawson, Commissioning Editor, BBC Comedy added:
“We’re delighted that Sea & Sky Pictures have been selected to go on this journey with Hat Trick – big up the Teessiders! Adam is such an entrepreneurial, collaborative producer, with an infectious energy, who has demonstrated an unshakeable commitment to comedy over the years. He is working with some of the very best emerging and established talent around, and we feel very lucky to have Sea & Sky Pictures, and all who sail with them, joining us for the first outing of this scheme.

The uptake for the scheme has meant that key industry figures have seen just how many unique, strong contenders to make comedy there are in the North East, which is a massive deal for the community as a whole. We hope to be working with many more of the companies over the coming months and have already allocated development funds to immediately support two more companies with their slates – Maria Caruana Galizia’s Candle & Bell Films, and Jason Cook’s fledgling Schnoobert Productions.”

The North East Regional Partnership Scheme was announced at the first BBC Comedy Festival in Newcastle upon Tyne (the first BBC City of Comedy) in May 2022, and is part of the BBC’s commitment to making its biggest investment in the North East of England for decades as part of a new partnership with the region.

The BBC last year announced it will spend at least £25m over the next five years right across the North East to fund network TV production, talent development and support for the creative sector.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

Hat Trick Productions is an independent production and distribution company co-founded and led by Jimmy Mulville with offices in London and Belfast. Established with the principle of putting writers first, they continue to nuture both new and established creative talent.

Sea & Sky pictures based in Hartlepool is a small indie formed in 2020 by Adam Bouabda. The company has produced scripted comedy, BFI funded short films, online content for commercial clients and its first feature film. They are developing and pitching several sitcoms and factual entertainment programmes to major broadcasters and streamers and have grown as an organisation thanks to recent funding.
www.seaandskypictures.co.uk

Candle & Bell was formed in 2013 and named one of the Top 50 Emerging Creative Companies, by Creative England. The company produces commercial content and currently has feature films in development with the BFI, Torino Script Lab, Jordan Film Fund and EIFF Talent Lab Connects.
www.candleandbell.co.uk

Schnoobert Productions was recently founded by Jason Cook, stand up, actor, screenwriter and executive producer. The company is partnership focused and was formed to give other North East writers, performers, producers, directors and other creatives an outlet. They are developing drama and comedy ideas and creating passionate, authentic characters to tell relatable and compelling stories.
www.schnoobert.co.uk

An exclusive evening of conversation with David Puttnam

Posted on 18 July 202227 September 2022 by North East Screen

Oscar-winning producer, David Puttnam, to revisit his legendary career in film, Westminster and education in an exclusive evening of conversation, hosted by Emeli Sandé.

North East Screen, in partnership with Atticus Education, The University of Sunderland and Pinewood Group, are delighted to present a special evening in conversation with one of the legends of British cinema, David Puttnam. The event on the 11th of October at the Fire Station in Sunderland will be hosted by singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé,

We are delighted to be offering free tickets when you sign up via this Eventbrite page. These tickets are part of North East Screen’s free allocation and are limited to 75 spaces. Donations to UNICEF’s Ukraine Children’s Appeal via this Just Giving page are encouraged.

Using excerpts from some of his greatest movies including Chariots of Fire, The Mission, The Killing Fields, Midnight Express and Local Here, he describes how his career took him from 30 years in the Hollywood-dominated film industry to 24 years in Westminster, where he shaped policy in the areas of Media Ownership, Climate Change, Education, Disinformation and Online Safety.

Multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter, Emeli Sande MBE will be hosting the event.

Emeli has many connections with the city of Sunderland. She was born in the city in 1987 and has been Chancellor of the University of Sunderland since May 2019.

Emeli’s passions for music and education have always run side by side. As she pursued her studies at the University of Glasgow, from where she graduated with a degree in neuroscience, her writing and performance skills were honed by playing gigs across the city.

Of the event, David Puttnam said, “I’m very much looking forward to being back in Sunderland, not only to meet the University’s talented new Puttnam Scholars in-person, but also to spend an evening revisiting these feature films and some of the tales and anecdotes from the past 50 years. Whilst I hope the evening will be enjoyable for the audience, I am overjoyed that we are also able to together support UNICEF and its critical appeal for the children of Ukraine.”

The event will take place in The Fire Station Auditorium, Sunderland’s brand new and state-of-the-art performance venue set in the heart of the city’s cultural quarter. Follow this link to access the free tickets via our Eventbrite page.

The event will begin at 7.30 pm.

Photo credit: Justin Walpole

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Alison Gwynn, wins RTS Award for Outstanding Contribution

Posted on 28 February 202210 October 2022 by North East Screen

NFM Chief Executive, Alison Gwynn, wins RTS North East and Border Award for Outstanding Contribution

Following a challenging period for the North East’s screen industries, Alison has been integral in securing significant and future investment from the BBC in partnership with the two combined authorities and 12 local authorities of North East England. This will enable the region to become one of the UK’s leading TV and film production hubs.

The BBC announced back in September that they would spend at least £25 million right across the North East, funding network TV production, talent development and support for the creative sector.

Since that announcement, the BBC has already named Newcastle as it’s first City of Comedy, provided two commission opportunities to be filmed in the North East, the return of Our Friends in the North as a Radio 4 show and announced that Northern Child will begin production on Northern Justice (w/t) this Spring.

Alison’s contribution to this significant investment has not gone unnoticed by those in the industry, who gave her a standing ovation on Saturday night as her name was announced as the winner of this impactful award.

As an organisation, we are absolutely thrilled that Alison has been recognised by industry colleagues and look forward to bringing you more announcements on future developments for the North East in due course.

BBC One commissions Emergency Vets (w/t) in County Durham

Posted on 9 June 202213 June 2022 by North East Screen

BBC One Daytime and BBC England have co-commissioned a new series, Emergency Vets (w/t) for BBC One.

“This series will be emotional and relatable to all animal lovers, and I’m excited to see what the audience makes of it.”
– Aisling O’Connor, Head of TV Commissioning, BBC England

This brand new, heartwarming series will be shot in and around a Veterinary Referral Hospital in Stockton-on-Tees, showcasing the vets, nurses and ancillary staff who provide care for their furry patients 24/7.

Covering both day and night shifts, the programme will allow viewers to get to know the close-knit team who devote their lives to saving animals, and meet the people that bring in their pets from as far as Inverness, Nottingham, Chester and Surrey to receive treatment from the Wear Referrals family.

On the day shift, specialist staff can deal with as many as 200 cases per week, while in the evening, the practice transforms into a 24/7 A&E unit, responding to as many as 70 cases per week.

Helen Munson, Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime, says:
“I’m delighted to be working with Twenty Six 03, a North-East-based production company, on this new series, set in the North East, celebrating the amazing skill and dedication of the staff at a world class veterinary referrals centre. What a great way to showcase the talent in the region, oh and there will most certainly be some cute pets too!”

Aisling O’Connor, Head of TV Commissioning for BBC England, says:
“BBC England is growing, developing and expanding its scope to make sure we’re reflecting people in every corner of the country. This series will be emotional and relatable to all animal lovers, and I’m excited to see what the audience makes of it.
“BBC England already has a good working relationship with Twenty Six 03 and we look forward to expanding our work with them in the North East with this new series.”

Duncan Gray and Antonia Hurford-Jones, Executive Producers of Twentysix03, say:
“We’re really pleased to be adding Emergency Vets (w/t) to Twenty Six 03’s rapidly growing slate. We can’t wait to introduce viewers to the remarkable veterinary staff at specialist animal hospital Wear Referrals who quite literally work round the clock caring for the most in need animals from all over the UK.”

Emergency Vets is a 10×30’ series for BBC Daytime and BBC England, co-commissioned by Lindsay Bradbury, Acting Head of BBC Daytime, and Aisling O’Connor, Head of TV Commissioning for BBC England. It is produced by Twenty Six 03, a Gateshead based production company. It will be Executive Produced by Antonia Hurford-Jones and Duncan Gray for Twenty Six 03, Tony Parker for BBC England and Helen Munson for BBC Daytime.

Emergency Vets (w/t) is the latest commission to be announced as part of the partnership between the BBC and North East Screen (formally Northern Film and Media). The successful partnership continues to support the screen industry in the North East, to help build business in the region and to ensure that the North East is better represented to audiences across the UK and internationally.

North East Screen declares the region ‘open for business’

Posted on 8 June 202229 June 2022 by North East Screen

Following industry investment of at least £37 million, North East Screen (formerly Northern Film + Media) launches its new name, brand and programme of events at an event in Sunderland today.

The agency is now gearing up to meet the challenge of increasing activity by creating new partnerships, rebranding their successful business model, and creating vibrant industry sector communities. This will enhance and develop the skills that make the North East the place to create excellence in the world of TV and film.

Tom Gutteridge, North East Screen Chairman explains;
“In the last decade despite a challenging funding environment Northern Film + Media has continued to deliver a production service and business support while also lobbying on behalf of the sector in the region.”

Alison Gwynn, North East Screen Chief Executive continues;
“With a new name and ambition for growing the sector, real investment and broadcaster partners, we are strongly putting the message out that the North East is open for business.
We have the skills, the passion and the knowledge, not to mention the incredible locations. By increasing our networks and connecting people, skills and companies we want to provide a pathway for regional talent, to encourage companies to set up in the beautiful North East and to say to any native North Easterners working in the industry elsewhere in the UK to come back home!

“The unique partnership created last year by the BBC with all 12 local authorities and three combined authorities across the North East region will help us achieve our vision. We will be delivering a programme of events and skills activity to provide a pathway for students, to attract visiting productions, to keep industry talent in the region and increase the visibility of the region nationally and internationally. By working together we hope to strengthen our position to attract the very best of TV and Film production and talent.”

The BBC is making its biggest investment in the North East for decades as part of a new partnership with the region, and as part of a wider strategy to move significant creative spend and decision-making across the UK.

The BBC has promised to spend at least £25m over the next five years right across the North East to fund network TV production, talent development and support for the creative sector.

It’s part of a deal with local authorities in the North East, who will work with the BBC, and with independent producers, to invest in talent, skills, and infrastructure to support the production industry in the region.

The North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) was created by the partnership to level up the regional film and TV industries by increasing its share of the UK production market and delivering an estimated annual economic impact of around £88m to the regional economy.

NESIP will invest £11.4m over five years to deliver a new Screen Industries Development Programme. The programme will develop, attract, and retain talent in the sector as well as providing good quality, well paid jobs within the industry. As part of the scheme, North East Screen will create even more opportunities to develop the skills that the sector needs to not only survive but thrive. The programme will be delivered through North East Screen’s Crew Academy, Production Service, and the North East Comedy Hot House.

A statement from the leaders and elected mayors of the authorities in the partnership
“North East Screen are central to delivering the new North East Screen Industries Development Programme and we are delighted to be working together as a region to support them. We want to strengthen the regional creative sector and increase the visibility of our region and it’s communities on screen. We look forward to the growth of the sector and welcoming more jobs and opportunities for people of the North East in film and TV.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said;
“The North East’s TV and Film production industry holds the potential to create good-quality well paid jobs at every level of production. Now is the time to be proactive so that we can develop, attract and retain local talent in the sector.”

The BBC has already announced that there will be at least six new commissions filming in the North East as a result of its commitment to the region.

It includes a new documentary series with James Arthur for BBC Three that has been filmed in his home town of Middlesbrough and Scarlett’s Driving School for BBC One, which will also be filmed in Teesside.

The BBC also hosted the BBC Comedy Festival in Newcastle last month, now has a commissioner permanently based in the region, and is providing trainee opportunities within productions in the region.

This partnership with the region is part of the BBC’s commitment to do more across the UK by moving departments, commissioning power, and resources out of London.

Thomas Wrathmell, Director of the BBC’s Across the UK Strategy, says:
“The response since making the huge commitment last year has been incredible and showcases the appetite for making this region a significant centre for the creative industries.

“We’re already delivering on our promise, with six new commissions in the area, investment in skills, production companies and trainee production placements on shows being filmed in the North East and hosting the BBC Comedy Festival in Newcastle last month. We are delighted to see others from across the creative sector investing across the North East and look forward to working together to power the sustainable growth of the sector.”

Alison Gwynn added;
“With our new partnerships and regional investment, we are launching new training schemes, work shadowing opportunities and will continue to provide key links to the industry for locations job opportunities within every part of our region. North East Screen is a one stop shop for the sector and there has never been a more exciting time to work in the TV and movie industry in the North East.”

Ends

Notes to Editors
North East Screen Industries Partnership was formed by Combined and Local Authorities from across the region to level up the regional film and TV industries by more than doubling its 2019 share of the UK production market and delivering an annual economic impact to the regional economy of £88m.

It includes Tees Valley Combined Authority, (representing the five authorities of Hartlepool Borough Council, Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council, Middlesbrough Council, Darlington Borough Council and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council), the North of Tyne Combined Authority (representing its three partner authorities Northumberland County Council, North Tyneside Council and Newcastle City Council) and the North East Combined Authority authorities of Durham County Council, Gateshead Council, Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council.

Partnership with the BBC, Following the publication of the BBC Across the UK strategy the partnership signed an MOU with the BBC in September 2021, making commitments that:

The BBC will spend a minimum of £25m on production and skills development in the North East over the next five years.
NESIP will jointly invest £11.4m over the same five-year period to deliver a new Screen Industries Development Programme maximising opportunities for significant growth within the screen industries sector and developing a thriving and sustainable ecosystem.

Robson Green’s Dirty Weekends (w/t) commissioned for BBC Two from the North East

Posted on 25 May 202210 October 2022 by North East Screen

Set exclusively in the North East against the backdrop of some of the UK’s most stunning scenery, the series will see Robson and some of his famous friends get stuck into some good, clean fun, as he celebrates everything that’s great about the region

BBC Daytime and Early Peak has commissioned Robson Green’s Dirty Weekends (W/T), a 15 x 30’ co-production between North East based Rivers Meet Productions and Signpost Productions.

The announcement follows an extensive search for a formatted factual series produced in the North East.

Set exclusively in the North East against the backdrop of some of the UK’s most stunning scenery, the series will see Robson and some of his famous friends get stuck into some good, clean fun, as he celebrates everything that’s great about the region.

BBC Commissioning Editor, Helen Munson, says: “I’m really pleased to announce this exciting new commission from my home county. There is so much talent here in the North East, both on and off screen and this series will absolutely reflect that. Robson is a firm favourite with the audience and I’m looking forward to seeing this wonderful series get underway.”

This commission is the fourth time the two companies have worked together.

Robson Green is Director at North East based Rivers Meet Productions, and is strongly committed to the region and helping to develop local talent. He says: “I’m over the moon that we’re going to be co-producing this great series for BBC Two with Signpost productions. This series will showcase the best the North East has to offer.”

Signpost, also based in the North East, aims to help create a robust production sector in the region with returning and long-running commissions. The company grew out of an access services provider and has won several industry awards for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Gareth Deighan Creative Director at Signpost, says: “We’re delighted to get filming this great series with Robson Green and friends, we want to make sure we’re contributing to putting the North East on the map.”

The new commission for BBC Two early evening forms part of the BBC’s commitment to spend £25m in the North East over the next five years.

Robson Green’s Dirty Weekends (W/T), is a 15 x 30’ co-production between Rivers Meet Productions and Signpost Productions. It has been commissioned by Helen Munson commissioner for BBC Daytime and Early Peak.

BBC Comedy announces details of Regional Partnership Scheme with North East Screen and Hat Trick

Posted on 11 May 202215 July 2022 by North East Screen

BBC Comedy are working on a brand-new Regional Partnership Scheme co-funded with the North East of England’s creative industries development agency North East Screen. The Regional Partnership Scheme has been established to support the growth of the scripted comedy supply base in an underserved and underrepresented region.

The partnership will see the companies co-develop a slate of original comedy projects over an initial 6-month period to help strengthen and enhance the local talent and project development in the region, with the aim of getting more of the North East seen and heard within the BBC’s comedy output.

North East Screen have selected Hat Trick Productions as the established comedy supplier that will be working with an emerging indie based in the North East of England. Hat Trick will be spending time in the region working with the selected indie to develop projects and talent, while providing business support and mentorship to help bolster the North Eastern company.

The announcement was made during the Regional Partnerships Panel at the inaugural BBC Comedy Festival which is currently taking place in Newcastle.

Emma Lawson, Commissioning Editor, BBC Comedy Commissioning says: “The North East is the best place on earth and a hot bed of exceptional comedy talent. I’m thrilled that we are supporting North East Screen and Hat Trick on a scheme that gets us closer to the regions best comic voices and stories. It’s a dream come true to be collaborating on home soil and I can’t wait to see what brilliant new shows and talent will emerge from the partnership”.

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen says: “We are delighted that comedy in the region is being supported in such a huge way. We hope by working closely with BBC Comedy and comedy giant Hat Trick we can bring opportunities to regional talent developing knowledge, skills and networks. The partnership will be a catalyst for growth in the sector and we’re excited to see local talent flourish.”

Jimmy Mulville, Managing Director of Hat Trick Productions says: “Hat Trick is honoured to be working with BBC Comedy and North East Screen on this fantastic project. The North East has a rich legacy of iconic comic talent both in front and behind the camera and we can’t wait to get stuck in to find the next generation of hit comedies!”

The North East Regional Partnership Scheme is part of the BBC’s commitment to making its biggest investment in the North East of England for decades as part of a new partnership with the region.

The BBC last year announced it will spend at least £25m over the next five years right across the North East to fund network TV production, talent development and support for the creative sector.

Notes to editors:

Applications are now open for North East based indies to apply.

Hat Trick will be in the North East of England to run a session with North East Screen and The North East Comedy Hot House on the 23rd May. There will be an opportunity for North East talent to hear from Jimmy Mulville, one of the founders of Hat Trick, about developing distinctive and popular comedy series and the journey that led them to become one of the leading producers of comedy, drama and entertainment in the UK.

Hat Trick Productions is an independent production and distribution company co‑founded and led by Jimmy Mulville with offices in London and Belfast. Established with the principle of putting writers first, they continue to nurture both new and established creative talent.

BBC announces – North East to be production base so people can follow career path in their home region

Posted on 25 April 202210 October 2022 by North East Screen

The BBC has announced there will be at least six new commissions filming in the North East as a result of the BBC’s commitment to the region.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie visited the Northern Studios in Hartlepool on Friday to hear about the progress made so far as part of the regional partnership.

The BBC announced its biggest investment in the North East of England for decades in September last year, as part of a new partnership with the region.

Local authorities in the North East pledged to work with the BBC and independent producers to invest in talent, skills, and infrastructure to support the production industry in the region.

They also outlined a commitment to look for opportunities to grow relationships with local facilities such as the Northern Studios in Hartlepool and the independent production sector.

Mr Davie met with representatives from Local Authorities and Mayoral Authorities at the Northern Studios in Hartlepool this afternoon.

He said: “The BBC made a big commitment when we set out to build a partnership in the North East.

“We’re already delivering on this, with six new commissions in the area, investment in skills, production companies and trainee production placements on shows being filmed in the North East.

“We want to work collaboratively to build a brilliant, sustainable production base in the region so people can follow the career path they want to in their home region. We want to do more for the North East.”

The BBC last year promised to spend at least £25m over the next five years right across the North East to fund network TV production, talent development and support for the creative sector.

They will also provide funding via North East Screen, the North East’s regional screen industry development agency, to boost the creative sector in the region.

The partnership is part of the BBC’s commitment to do more across the UK by moving departments, commissioning power, and resources out of London.

The BBC has so far announced a new documentary series with James Arthur for BBC Three that’s going to be filmed in his home town of Middlesbrough and Scarlett’s Driving School for BBC One, which will also be filmed in Teesside.

BBC Comedy Festival to take place in Newcastle

Posted on 12 April 202215 July 2022 by North East Screen

The inaugural BBC Comedy Festival will take place in Newcastle upon Tyne, BBC’s first City of Comedy. Plus North East Regional Partnership Scheme announced.

Newcastle upon Tyne, the first BBC City of Comedy, will host the BBC’s first Comedy Festival for indie producers, anyone with a new career in TV and comedy, and people looking to break into or advance their career in the industry.

A series of events will take place across three days from Wednesday 11th – Friday 13th May 2022 to explore, reflect on and celebrate comedy in the UK.

The Festival will take place across a number of venues in Newcastle including Northern Stage, Live Theatre, The Stand and The Everyman.

Speakers include Charlie Brooker, Frankie Boyle, Greg Davies, Megan Ganz, Stephen Merchant, Romesh Ranganathan, the cast of Ghosts, Tom Marshall and many more including North East Screen’s very own North East Comedy Hot House team!

Some of the biggest comedy names are confirmed to attend including Charlie Brooker, Greg Davies, Jamie Demetriou, Megan Ganz, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Romesh Ranganathan, Stephen Merchant, Tim Renkow, Kat Sadler, Adjani Salmon, and Holly Walsh – plus the casts of BBC hits – Ghosts and The Outlaws.

The festival will be made up of talent-led talks, panels, screenings, a short film night, live comedy, and the premier of The Outlaws series 2, the biggest new BBC Comedy to launch last year.

The BBC Comedy Commissioning team, BBC Writersroom and BBC Young Reporters will also be in attendance at this brand-new event, which will bring the UK comedy production community together, alongside industry heavyweights including Ash Atalla (The Office), Gill Isles (Car Share), Tom Marshall (Ted Lasso), Christine Gernon (Gavin and Stacy, New Girl), plus representatives from American broadcasters.

BBC Director of Comedy, Jon Petrie, will kick off the festival alongside Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, on Wednesday 11th May. Jon will be setting out his vision for BBC Comedy and highlighting commissioning opportunities to the comedy production community.

Thursday 12th May will be an industry focused day consisting of a range of panels and talks, and on Friday 13th May there will be sessions for anyone with a new career in TV and comedy, and people looking to break into or advance their career in the industry.

Petrie says: “We are excited to be coming to Newcastle, the BBC’s first City of Comedy, to celebrate comedy in all its forms and to outline BBC Comedy’s vision for the genre in 2022 and beyond. WE are committed to nurturing, developing and collaborating with comedy enthusiasts across the UK, to ensure comedy remains a staple part of our British culture.”

A selection of the festival’s panels and events will be opened up for the public to attend, and the free tickets will be made available in due course once the schedule has been announced.

All sessions are free – but do get down early to secure your seats in the sessions on the day.

BBC Comedy is also announcing today that they will be piloting a brand-new Regional Partnership Scheme, co-funded with North East Screen, pairing a North East based emerging indie with a leading BBC Comedy supplier.

The aim of the scheme is to promote regional partnerships, aid portrayal and support the growth of indigenous scripted comedy supplies in an underserved and underrepresented region.

The partnership will see the companies co-develop a slate of original ideas over an initial 6-month period, to help strengthen and enhance the local talent and project development on the ground, while creating new connections and out of London opportunities.

NFM’s Chief Executive, Alison Gwynn, said:

“The BBC Comedy Festival is another great example of the BBC’s commitment to the region and will provide a welcomed boost to the North East’s comedy sector. We know that many people will benefit from the panels, talks and sessions lead by top industry professionals and will inspire and generate the future of comedy in the region.
“The Regional Partnership Scheme is part of a longer term strategy to bring knowledge, skills and networks to the talent and companies that already exist here in the North East. We are very excited to be partnering with BBC Comedy on this venture, and are delighted that the North East comedy community is going to get this level of opportunity and support.”

Further information about the established indie along with how North East companies can apply for the scheme will be announced in due course.

The North East Regional Partnership Scheme is part of the BBC’s commitment to making its biggest investment in the North East of England for decades as part of a new partnership with the region.

The BBC last year announced it will spend at least £25m over the next five years right across the North East to fund network TV production, talent development and support for the creative sector.