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The North East’s screen sector is celebrating a fantastic year as nominations have been announced for the RTS North East & the Borders Awards 2026 – with regionally produced, nationally recognised productions leading the way.  

Three productions supported by the North East Production Fund (NEPF) – I Fought The Law (Hera Pictures for ITV), Transaction (Big Talk for ITV), and The Feud (Lonesome Pine for 5) – have secured nominations across key categories, underpinning that the NEPF is the catalyst for driving growth in the region’s screen industry.

This year’s Drama/Comedy category highlights the region’s growing appeal to national broadcasters and producers. I Fought The Law features standout performances from Sheridan Smith and Daniel York Loh, while the ever-popular Vera, starring Brenda Blethyn, demonstrates the long-term strength of productions rooted in the North East. 

The Factual Entertainment shortlist showcases the work of Gateshead-based indies Twenty Six 03 earning recognition for Sara Davies’ Christmas Craft Off, and Signpost Entertainment nominated for Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. 

This year’s Crew Award, sponsored by North East Screen, shines a spotlight on the craft, dedication and world-class capability that underpins every successful production. 

Across all the categories the message is clear: the North East is a creative home for some of the UK’s most exciting storytellers, talent and production teams. 

Women in Film and TV (UK) (WFTV) today announced the 2026 Four Nations Mentoring Scheme cohort. Designed for mid-career women working in film, television, and creative media, the scheme offers unparalleled opportunities to accelerate careers in an industry where women remain underrepresented in leadership roles.

Screen Alliance North, with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, are proud to back the scheme for the second year running supporting 10 women from the North of England to take part.

Writer Samantha Neale, and Line Producer Sarah Howie from the North East. VT Editor/Director Dawn Feather and Head of Development Kate O’Hara, from Yorkshire, Actor/Writer Kimberly Hart-Simpson and Business Affairs specialist Olayinka Akano from Manchester, co-founder Helen Blakeman and Production Development Producer Hannah Robinson from Liverpool, Line Producer Emma Boyd from Warrington and Writer Zelipa Zulu from Lancashire.

The scheme continues WFTV’s efforts to empower women in the screen industries by bringing together over 50 mentees from across England, North Ireland, Scotland and Wales, chosen from hundreds of applicants. Over a six-month program, mentees will benefit from one-to-one mentoring with senior industry professionals, alongside peer-to-peer training and bespoke career and personal development workshops.

Penny Hall, Partnership Lead at Screen Alliance North:

We are delighted to give northern women the opportunity to enhance their careers in the Film and Television industry through this national scheme which has such a prestigious list of mentors. Last year’s cohort gained so much from the mentoring programme which developed their networks and routes for collaboration as well as honing their industry skills. We can’t wait to see the progress of this group this year.

Helen Bullough, North of England producer for WFTV’s Four Nations Mentoring Scheme:

We’re made up that we’ve been able to increase the number of places on offer in the North of England this year to ten, reflecting both the increased demand from the region and the remarkable pool of talent here.  Across the UK we make sure there’s a rich cross section of crafts and skills reflected in the cohorts and we can’t wait to get to work and help supercharge the careers of these ten talented women from the North!

Katie Bailiff, CEO of WFTV:

The Four Nations Mentor Scheme encapsulates everything WFTV aims to achieve by unlocking opportunities and inspiring change across our industry. We’re proud to continue nurturing growth and representation in the creative sector. This year’s mentors are some of the most inspiring people in TV and Film, we are fortunate to have them involved in the scheme sharing their experience and wisdom with women looking to excel in their careers.

Mentors for the North of England cohort this year include Caroline Richards, Head of Production at Big Talk Studios, Emma Lawson, Commissioning Editor at BBC Comedy and Emily Feller, Chief Creative Officer, Warp Films.

We are absolutely delighted that 28 Years Later has been shortlisted in the Outstanding British Film category of the 2026 EE BAFTA film awards announced today.

Shot almost entirely in the North East region, the production employed local cast and crew including 173 supporting artists. The production was introduced to the region by North East Screen’s Film Office.

Holy Island, Chopwell Woods, Plankey Mill and locations around Northumberland were used in Danny Boyle’s blockbuster with Hoults Yard in Newcastle serving as the production base.

The film is up against stiff competition in the prestigious category including Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, H is For Hawk, Hamnet and Pillion.

This year’s EE BAFTA film awards take place on 22^nd February at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Albert Hall hosted by Alan Cumming and airing the same night on BBC One and iplayer.

Read more about 28 Years Later filming in the North East:

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple arrives in Cinemas

28 Years Later – a love letter to the North East

28 Years Later to have special North East Gala Screening

International tourism campaigns make North East the star of the show

Into the Lead, a new development programme for senior leaders working in independent production companies across the North of England, launched at an event in Leeds with 17 participants announced.

Leaders from Yorkshire, the North East, Manchester and Liverpool have been selected to take part in the exclusive programme which will equip leaders with tools, insights and mindset to understand AI and new technologies, develop their leadership skills, innovate their workplace with good work and sustainable practice and meet like-minded peers.

Following a call out at the end of last year by the four screen agencies that make up Screen Alliance North – Liverpool Film Office, North East Screen, Screen Manchester and Screen Yorkshire, a detailed selection process was undertaken and participants were selected from all four regions.

Penny Hall, Partnership Lead at Screen Alliance North:

Screen Alliance North, with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, is helping the screen industry build a stronger, more sustainable future, one that embraces innovation and puts people first. That means learning how to harness new technology and AI responsibly, building resilient and future-ready leaders, and creating inclusive, forward-thinking workplaces where diverse talent can thrive. This programme has been tailored to ensure leaders across our region have the relevant skills and resources to make this happen.

The course comprises six online modules with a series of expert speakers, exercises, resources, breakout sessions and support. It will run from January to April and is led by delivery partners Under the Moon and Creaticity.

Sara Whybrew, Director of Skills and Workforce Development at BFI:

Nurturing positive workplace cultures, being receptive and open to change, and building the confidence to innovate and take measured risk are vital parts of modern leadership – we look forward to seeing the impacts of this programme and working with Screen Alliance North to take learnings from it to inform future leadership training for our sector.

Ruth Pitt, director, Under The Moon and course leader:

The aim of this first event was to connect everyone and create a sense of community as the group embarks on the course together. The energy and positivity in the room was fantastic with participants networking and bonding as a cohort. Collaboration is key to achieving scale-up success so we are hoping to provide the best environment to ensure the group can thrive.

This project is funded by Screen Alliance North, a BFI Skills Cluster, supported by BFI awarding National Lottery funding.

North East Screen is pleased to be hosting a briefing event for a new commissioning opportunity from BBC Daytime and The One Show, open to production companies based in the North East of England.

The BBC is inviting pitches for three VT inserts for The One Show, offering an exciting opportunity for regional companies to create short-form factual content for one of the UK’s most-watched programmes.

To support companies interested in applying, North East Screen will be hosting an in-person briefing event in Newcastle on Tuesday 3 February 2026, delivered in partnership with the BBC Daytime team.

The briefing will take place at the Tyneside Cinema and will include a welcome from North East Screen with a panel hosted by Helen Munson and The One Show team, which will provide an overview of the opportunity. Full event details and registration information can be found here.

Hosting this event forms part of North East Screen’s ongoing work to support production companies to engage with UK broadcasters, build relationships with commissioners and increase the visibility of North East talent and businesses at a national level.

Lisa Laws, Development Director at North East Screen:

It’s great to be hosting this BBC commissioners’ briefing here in the North East. Over the past four years, the number of regional companies securing broadcast commissions has quadrupled, and it’s encouraging to see new opportunities like this for our companies.

It’s also fantastic to have BBC Daytime Commissioning Editor Helen Munson based here in the region, continuing to facilitate these opportunities and strengthen connections between North East producers and the wider BBC teams.

By bringing commissioners directly into the region, the session will ensure companies are informed, prepared and confident when responding to broadcast opportunities.

Full event details and registration information can be found here.

5 today announce new drama series Forever Home (6×60’), an adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by award-winning broadcaster, comedian, writer and actor Graham Norton. The series is co-produced by FilmNation Entertainment and The Mediapro Studio, supported by the North East Production Fund and North East Screen.

The six-part series follows the story of a second wife dealing with the memories of the woman who went before her. When Carol discovers a long-dead body hidden in the basement of her home, the horrific realization is undeniable – she’s living with a killer. The story that her husband’s first wife ran away never to be seen again now looks like a lie, and the fact he’s insisted on never selling the house suddenly makes sense. But one dark family secret is soon to be replaced by another…

Confirmed cast include Amy Nuttall (The Feud, Downton Abbey), Douglas Henshall (The Revenge Club, Shetland), Denise Welch (Tip Toe, Waterloo Road), Kevin Whately (Inspector Morse, Lewis), Samantha Bond (The Marlow Murder Club, The Inheritance), Lewis Cope (Emmerdale, Strictly Come Dancing), Jenny Walser (Heartstopper, Sweetpea S2), Shane Zaza (Invasion, Big Boys), and James Baxter (Alma’s Not Normal, Waterloo Road).

Forever Home is commissioned by Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer and Head of Scripted, Paramount UK, and Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5. The adaptation is being penned by Clara Salaman (Too Close) who will Executive Produce alongside Graham Norton. FilmNation Entertainment’s Kirstie Macdonald developed the project and will also Executive Produce. Will Nicholson will produce the series. Erika Kennair and JC Acosta of The Mediapro Studio will Executive Produce. Paul Gay (Vera, Ridley) and Claire Winyard (Death Valley, Vera) are onboard to direct the series. The Mediapro Studio will also retain and manage international distribution for the series.

On the series commission of his novel, Graham Norton said:

In writing Forever Home, I was initially inspired by the simple idea of packing up a home later in life, and the “what if” scenarios and complexities that come with later-life relationships. The novel soon evolved into a funny, twisted, ‘dark-romp’ full of farcical scenes and it’s wonderful to see the depth and richness of Carol’s story realized as a screenplay.

On adding this adaption to 5’s acclaimed drama slate, Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5 comments:

We’re delighted to partner with FilmNation and The Mediapro Studio to bring Graham Norton’s compelling novel to UK screens, supported by an outstanding cast. Working with North East Screen again to champion local filming has been a pleasure, and we can’t wait for viewers to immerse themselves in Forever Home.

Kirstie Macdonald, FilmNation TV UK Creative Director, said:

From the moment I read the always-hilarious Graham Norton’s brilliant novel, I knew I wanted to bring Forever Home to the screen. It’s a story full of twists and turns, secrets, and emotional depth that we can’t wait to bring to life for 5 audiences. We’re proud to collaborate with Clara Salaman, 5, and our partners at The Mediapro Studio on this thrilling adaptation and are grateful for the support of North East Screen.

Erika Kennair, Head of Scripted at The Mediapro Studio US & Canada, adds:

We are thrilled to partner with the talented Clara Salaman, the groundbreaking FilmNation and the iconic 5 to bring Graham Norton’s exciting and witty book to life.

Gayle Woodruffe, Operations Director at North East Screen, continues:

Forever Home is our 15th production supported by the North East Production Fund, a fund which is helping to attract more production to the North East of England and has invested £2.37m in productions so far. We’re delighted to be working in partnership with FilmNation and 5 and are looking forward to welcoming the production team to Northumberland, a county which has the perfect locations to suit the story. The North East is fast becoming a hub of TV production and our Film Office and Skills teams have been working closely with the production team to pull together amazing local crew and companies and offer some outstanding opportunities to work in TV.

Filming in Northumberland and set to air on 5 in 2026, Forever Home is a darkly emotional story about marriage, family and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children.

FilmNova, based in Gateshead, has long been at the forefront of producing award-winning sports content for audiences worldwide. Their work spans documentaries, live coverage, and event highlights that capture the energy, drama, and emotion of sport. 2025 has been a spectacular year for the company, with FilmNova building on its success and securing high-profile commissions across its diverse productions.

This December, FilmNova releases Torvill & Dean: The Last Dance on ITV, offering a fly-on-the-wall look at the legendary ice skaters’ farewell tour. From their final UK and Australia performances to reflections on a 50-year career on ice, the documentary is a fitting tribute to two sporting icons and a highlight in FilmNova’s ongoing storytelling excellence. Be sure to tune in on 28 December at 8:30pm on ITV1.

Alongside live coverage, FilmNova develops factual programmes and documentaries exploring the stories, characters, and history behind sports. This year, the team returned to The Great North Run, The Boat Race, UK’s Strongest Man, Superhero Tri, and Wanda Diamond League, while producing Mo’s Last Mile for BBC One. Remote productions also reached new heights, including the T100 Triathlon World Tour and Great Manchester Run, marking key milestones for the company.

FilmNova’s work has been recognised with awards including the RTS North East & Borders Sport Award for the Great North Run, alongside shortlistings at the SJA Awards and Broadcast Sport Awards.

Sustainability and regional impact remain central to FilmNova’s approach. The team has held ALBERT certification across all eligible productions since 2018 and consistently champions North East talent – from freelancers to regional suppliers – ensuring local expertise is at the heart of every project.

Looking ahead, FilmNova continues to push creative and technical boundaries while celebrating the North East on screens across the UK and worldwide.

Visit FilmNova’s website to learn more