Page 16 – North East Screen

New C5 cooking show launches, produced by regional based MCC Media

Posted on 6 October 20226 October 2022 by North East Screen

Amazing young chefs show pop star how to cook in brand new kids TV series Cooking with the Gills.

MCC Media, the Sunderland-based TV production company has been travelling to all four corners of the UK to record some of the country’s budding young chefs in this new 25-part series.

The series follows popular presenter, farmer and JLS star JB Gill and his family as they reach out to talented young cooks from all over the UK to ask for help in how to prepare and cook a wide range of delicious recipes from around the world. The Gills [Dad JB, Mum Chloe, Ace (7) & Chiara (4)] cook along and then serve local families and friends from their rural pop-up kitchen & café. Together we learn the importance of where food comes from and how to cook it!

Each 12-minute episode showcases a young child (aged 6-9) demonstrating for The Gills how to cook their ‘Dish of the Day’ from their home kitchen, whilst JB and family cook along from their farm kitchen. From Thai Green Curry and Vegan Burgers, to Blueberry Cheesecake and Shakshuka, the kids take the lead on this cooking adventure.

Executive Producer Paul McCoy said;
“It’s amazing to see how passionate kids can be about cooking fresh food from scratch and it’s been a great opportunity to capture just a pinch of this.”

The project was made possible by the help and support from Channel 5’s preschool strand, Milkshake! and North East Screen who have been a great advocate from day one.

“We’re thrilled to be premiering Cooking with the Gills and welcoming JB and his family to Milkshake! this Saturday,” said Louise Bucknole, General Manager, Kids & Family UK & Ireland at Paramount.

“Cooking and learning about where ingredients come from is really popular amongst our viewers and this new commission aims to celebrate a diverse range of recipes from across the world, while encouraging children and their families to take a more active role in preparing and cooking simple and healthy meals together.”

Alison Gwynn Chief Executive North East Screen said;
“It’s great to support regional companies with Big Ideas which in turn helps the production community flourish within the region. We are so excited to be involved and provide funding in MCC’s latest TV Project”.

David Kangas serves as Series Producer and Director for MCC Media. David Mordey is Head of Production. MCC Media are building on this success with many exciting new projects currently in development.

Notes for Editors

Broadcast dates and details

The series starts on the 8^th of October at 9:40am and goes out every Saturday and Sunday on Milkshake! which is on Channel 5 until Christmas. Also available on catch up on My5.

MCC Media is an award winning Production Company based in the North East of England specialising in ambitious and entertaining children’s TV. Our creative team are fast gaining a reputation for ground breaking ideas and fresh, imaginative approaches to helping young audiences explore the world in different ways.

Channel 5’s Milkshake! is home to some of the world’s favourite pre-school characters. Channel 5 broadcasts 24 hours of children’s programmes every week and is the top-rated commercial block for 4-15 year old kids. Milkshake! features a range of stimulating, diverse and engaging programmes that include strong character-led animation, live action series, factual entertainment and presenter-led high-quality studio and musical content. Milkshake! is also available non-stop via on-demand service My5, Paramount +, a magazine and a touring Milkshake! Live theatre show.

Industry leaders to discuss future of North East film and media

Posted on 4 October 20224 October 2022 by North East Screen

Key figures in the film and media industry will be discussing the epic future of the North East’s film and media scene in Sunderland this month.

Fulwell73’s managing partner Leo Pearlman and UK CEO Johnny Moore will be giving a talk about the company’s future plans that will put Sunderland and the North East at the forefront of the UK’s film and media industry.

Fulwell73 has produced some of the most successful feature films and television programmes of the last decade and attendees will get an insight into how they made shows such as The Late Late Show With James Corden, Friends: The Reunion, Carpool Karaoke and Sunderland Til I Die.

This will be followed by a panel discussion where Leo and Johnny will joined by Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen; Peter McIntyre, executive director of city development at Sunderland City Council; Helen Munson, the BBC’s commissioning editor for daytime and early peak; and Graeme Thompson MBE, University of Sunderland Pro Vice-Chancellor.

Taking place as part of Sunderland Business Festival – a celebration of the dynamic businesses operating in Sunderland – the event will be held at the University of Sunderland’s Tom Cowie Lecture Theatre on Wednesday, October 12, 1pm – 3pm.

“I’m delighted to be taking part in Sunderland Business Festival again,” said Leo. “The North East is somewhere that is very close to my heart but is also a real hotbed of talent and creativity and I look forward to sharing some of our insight with attendees.”

The festival is being organised by Sunderland Business Partnership, a collective of organisations – large and small – all with an interest in the city’s development, creating opportunities for members to collaborate and grow, which in turn helps Sunderland to be a more dynamic destination for business.

Sunderland Business Festival is sponsored by Sunderland City Council, Sunderland AFC, the University of Sunderland and Portfolio North.

Tickets for the event are free but should be booked in advance here: https://bit.ly/3dH2dQZ

For more information about the Sunderland Business Festival, visit: https://sbfestival.co.uk/

New funded development opportunity

Posted on 3 October 20224 October 2022 by North East Screen

North East Screen announce a new funded development opportunity for North East based comedy talent, plus a BBC Comedy event in Newcastle.

An exciting opportunity is being offered to comedy writers, performers, producers and directors by North East Screen and BBC Comedy to develop talent in the region.

The NE Screen Comedy Hot House have devised a scheme that offers funds to six comedy creatives to help them develop their television ideas. Each chosen creator will receive £1000 as well as development support and an introduction to production companies, ahead of pitching their ideas to BBC Comedy for feedback.

Lisa Laws, Head of Talent and Professional Development at North East Screen said;

“This is a first of its kind opportunity for North East comedy creators ready to burst onto comedy platforms. We are looking to champion six people and support them to get their ideas ready to pitch to the BBC.”

For more information and to apply for the fund click here

To support and inspire applications to the funded development opportunity, the NE Screen Comedy Hot House will be hosting Cracking the Comedy Codes – a day of panels featuring comedy industry experts.

The event on Thursday 13^th October with industry experts, will centre discussions around short films, audio, and the development of comedy characters for screen. Featured guests include Simon Mayhew-Archer (This Country), Rupert Majendie (Brian and Charles, Pls Like), Kirk Flash (This is Gay), Julia McKenzie (BBC Radio4 Comedy Commissioner) and more!

Cracking the Comedy Codes (https://bit.ly/3BQLYsC) will take place at the Stand, Newcastle 1-5pm where you will also have the chance to meet some of the BBC Comedy commissioning team.

BBC City of Comedy 2022

As part of Newcastle’s tenure as the first BBC City of Comedy, the region hosted the first ever BBC Comedy Festival, bringing the entire UK comedy production sector to the North East. At the event we announced our flagship Regional Partnership Scheme, fast tracking regional company Sea & Sky Productions to co-develop a slate of TV series ideas for BBC Comedy with Hat Trick Productions. The creator development fund is part of a wider range of engaging outreach events, profiling some of the UKs best talent, ensuring our comedy community is inspired and enabling our regions comedy scene to thrive.

Cracking the Comedy Codes; Podcast, Character and Short Film Masterclasses

Posted on 21 September 202229 September 2022 by North East Screen

On the 13^th of October, NE Screen Comedy Hot House will be hosting an afternoon of panels that will explore the ins and outs of short form comedy development for audio and screen.

As part of BBC City of Comedy, North East Screen and BBC Comedy commissioners are working together to inspire the next wave of comedy content creators to pitch podcasts, comedy characters and attention-grabbing comedy shorts that will get North East talent noticed.

The search is on for comedy talent that can break through the noise, demand (and keep) audience’s attention. To create stories and characters that bring a fresh authentic twist on people and places.

These panels are linked to the Creator Development Fund, attending will support your application.

The panels are as follows:

Demystifying Podcast Development and Production with special guests Kirk Flash and Julia McKenzie

Ever wondered where to start in comedy podcasting? Let’s talk funny!

Award winning writer, comedian and audio creator Kirk Flash and Radio 4 Comedy and Entertainment Commissioner Julia McKenzie join us to share advice on starting out in audio, what sets an idea apart and how you go about getting yours heard.

Kirk Flash is the creator and voice behind “This is Gay” a podcast which won Silver for Best Comedy at the British Podcast Awards 2022 and Kirk himself won Gold for the Rising Star Award, sponsored by BBC Sounds. He is also the writer and creator of the award-winning animated series Summer Lane Drive which is currently distributed on digital platforms in the USA and Latin America.

Julia McKenzie resides over the home of comedy, BBC Radio 4. As newly appointed Radio 4 Comedy and Entertainment Commissioner she creates opportunities for writers, performers and producers to thrive, all whilst making the nation laugh.

Producing Comedy Characters for Screen with special guest Simon Mayhew-Archer

Ever wondered how to create strong comedy characters? Have you got ideas for fresh characters we need to see on our screens?

We’ll be joined by BAFTA award-winning Executive Producer Simon Mayhew. Simon will be talking about his most recent work – the multi award-winning show This Country, starring Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper. Explaining how he approaches working with writer/performers, playing with fresh strong characters and when and how to build a series around a character.

The Art of Comedy Short Film with with special guests Rupert Majendie, Gideon Beresford & Behnam Taheri

Ready to make a bold, inspiring short film that packs a comedy punch and gets you noticed?

Great short films are a chance to bring a vision to life, show off your talent and build your creative team.

Gideon Beresford and Behnam Taheri (collectively known as Rosco5) are writer-directors whose visual flair and natural comic timing brilliantly blends their perverse observations with the magical and mundane.

Originally an editor and a producer, they teamed up as writer-directors for their first short film Open Wide in 2018, which premiered at Palm Springs Shortfest and was acquired by C4 Random Acts. Their subsequent shorts and commercials have screened worldwide, winning numerous awards, and a Vimeo staff pick. They have made shorts for Adult Swim, BBC and Channel 4 as well as shooting a BBC Pilot that is now going to series.

Finishing off the panel is TV, film, online and live comedy Producer Rupert Majendie. Rupert recently produced the (what started off as a short film) Film4 and BFI feature ‘Brian and Charles,’ written by David Earl and Chris Hayward. We’ll be unpicking how to nurture stories and characters.

Click here to sign up for the event via Eventbrite.

https://northeastscreen.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Comedy-HotHouse-RGB-scaled.jpg

Meet the super-hero solicitors of the North East in Northern Justice – a new series for BBC Daytime

Posted on 20 September 2022 by North East Screen

They might not look like your average superhero, but for those in need, a high street solicitor can be the one who swoops in to save the day.

Heartwarming and funny, moving and timely, this new BBC One documentary series follows a passionate cast of lawyers in the North of England as they guide ordinary people through extraordinary times in their lives: from a Gateshead pensioner who has been mis-sold an investment opportunity and lost his pension on a share of a hotel room in Turkey, to the owner of an animal rescue centre in North Yorkshire who stands falsely accused of cat theft.

Each episode focuses on two stand-out cases, following the emotional impact on both client and lawyer, and provides invaluable advice for viewers in similar situations. From Middlesbrough to Morpeth, we meet an immigration lawyer who steps in to keep a family together; small-business owners whose products have been ripped off by major retailers; and a probate lawyer whose client has left their estate to someone they only met a short time before they died.

Two out of three of us will likely seek legal advice in the next four years. And for many, these will be some of the most challenging moments we’ll ever face. Northern Justice shines a light on legal specialists fighting for the justice that ordinary people deserve.

Andrew Eastel, Creative Director at Middlechild Productions, says: “Making this series has been as enjoyable as it has been enlightening. The world of local solicitors, representing ordinary people from their community, is rarely seen on TV. High street firms are full of passionate and hardworking people doing a job they love, often shunning more lucrative areas of law to help desperate people in their times of need.”

Helen Munson, Commissioning Editor, Daytime, says: “This is an uplifting, life-affirming series showcasing solicitors with a passion for what they do and compassion for their clients. It has been a pleasure to work with Newcastle-based Northern Child, who have captured the spirit of the North East on screen and have been fully committed to working with and developing off screen talent in the region.”

Northern Justice is a BBC Daytime commission from Northern Child. The commissioning editors for the BBC are Rachel Platt and Helen Munson.

Northern Justice starts on BBC One from Tuesday 20 September at 10am.

Women X Industry Panel

Posted on 30 August 202210 October 2022 by North East Screen

North East Screen’s Comedy Hot House is delighted to announce the line up for its Industry Panel that is being held at the Women X Film Festival in Darlington on the 3rd of September.

12.30-1.30 Darlington Hippodrome, followed by informal networking.

Getting noticed and landing your first break writing for TV. North East Screen Comedy Hot House and Comedy 5050

Ever wondered how to write for TV? Come along and listen to our panel of experienced creatives about their writing journey, how they got their first break, and what they are doing to support more female writers to get their start in the industry.

Meet two writers from the region who have recently broken into the TV industry, alongside the founder of Comedy 50:50, an initiative to address gender inequalities in TV comedy. Hear about the different routes their careers have taken and why they think it is important to champion new voices and inclusivity in the industry.

Panel Guests

Saskia Schuster, founder of Comedy 5050, head of scripted at Fulwell 73 and the former Controller for Comedy at ITV. Anna Costello, a writer whose first comedy pilot recently aired on Dave, UKTV and Emily Fairweather, a writer who gained her first appointment on a BBC one drama, and who has since had several of her scripts optioned.

Hosted by Lisa Laws, Head of Talent and manager of Comedy Hot House at North East Screen.

Comedy 50:50 was founded by Saskia Schuster to address the gender imbalance in comedy, and to reflect the diverse range of voices that make up society. Comedy 5050’s intention is one of inclusivity and to push forward changes in a manner that is respectful to all talent. The initial focus is on writers, but the aim is to extend the initiative to all aspects of comedy performance and production.

Anna Costello is a writer from Consett, County Durham. In 2021 Anna was nominated for the All3Media New Comedy Script Award and won the UKTV and TriForce Underrepresented Writers Initiative. Anna’s comedy pilot Dead Canny is screening on UKTV for Dave. As a senior creative at Electric Noir Studios, Anna works on their BAFTA-nominated series, DEAD MAN’S PHONE, developing and writing interactive detective series for their mobile storytelling platform. Anna is represented as a writer by Berlin Associates. Dead Canny will be aired on August 24th at 10 pm on Dave, UKTV.

Emily Fairweather is a writer and actor from North Shields. Emily has worked on projects for the likes of UKTV and ITV and gained her first broadcast appointment on The Mallorca Files for BBC One. In addition, Emily has had a number of her original scripts optioned and is represented as a writer by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates.

Buy your tickets for the event here.

BBC Comedy presents Adult Film Club, an evening of comedy short films

Posted on 22 August 202222 August 2022 by North East Screen

On 29^th September in Newcastle, BBC Comedy and NE Screen Comedy Hot House come together to present Adult Film Club, a special screening of comedy short films including everything from innovative sketches to unforgettable viral oddities.

This new exciting event is part of the BBC City of Comedy in Newcastle which aims to help find, nurture and connect new comedy talent in the North East with UK commissioners and the wider TV industry.

Adult Film Club is the baby of comedy writer/performer Chris Cantrill (BBC2’s Alma’s Not Normal and half of Edinburgh nominated double act The Delightful Sausage) and animator/director Sam O’Leary (Inside No.9 and Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared). The night launched in Manchester with the aim of showcasing emerging talent and bringing together comedy creators and now with support from BBC Comedy and NE Screen Comedy Hot House Adult Film Club is coming to the North East. The event is produced by comedy producer Hal Branson.

Navi Lamba, Head of Talent Development BBC Comedy Commissioning said;
“We’re so excited to have Adult Film Club curate our short film nights in Newcastle. They are masters at finding comedy gems on the internet, and simultaneously putting on a 10/10 comedy show. We want to amuse, inspire and champion emerging regional comedy talent and AFC is the perfect vehicle!”

Lisa Laws, Head of Talent and Professional Development at North East Screen added;

“We are really excited to partner with BBC Comedy on another great event as part of BBC City of Comedy, we can’t wait to see what the talented folks at Adult Film Club have in store for us. If you like laughing, love short films and want to meet talent and commissioners come along and get inspired.”

Adult Film Club will be hosted at the Black Swan in Newcastle (Westgate Road) starting at 7pm. The show will include an extended interval with the opportunity to network with other comedy fans and creators.

Click here to sign up to the event.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

NE Screen Comedy Hot House, is a first-of-its kind comedy cooperative nurturing regional talent both on and off screen. We champion, connect and develop the region’s best comedy talent by creating outstanding opportunities with industry partners. North East Comedy Hot House – North East Screen

BBC City of Comedy
Newcastle was announced as the first BBC City of Comedy in September 2021 and hosted the first BBC Comedy Festival. The series of events took place across three days to explore, reflect on and celebrate comedy in the UK and was attended by comedy talent, commissioners, indie producers, people with a new career in TV and comedy and people wanting to break into the industry.

The BBC also announced their Regional Partnership Scheme, co-funded with North East Screen pairing a North East based emerging indie with a leading BBC Comedy supplier. Sea & Sky Productions were selected to work with Hat Trick Productions to co-develop a slate of ideas for BBC Comedy. The BBC City of Comedy in Newcastle will continue with the Adult Comedy short film nights.

This outreach activity is funded by BBC Comedy and North East Screen through BBC Small Indie fund and NESIP.

Adult Film Club is a comedy short film night created by writer/performer Chris Cantrill (Alma’s Not Normal, Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared, Late Night Mash) and animator/director Sam O’Leary (Inside No.9, Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared). Based in Manchester, Adult Film Club exists to champion emerging comedy talent, DIY innovation and internet weirdos.

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

On the 13th of October, NE Screen Comedy Hot House will be hosting an afternoon of panels that will explore the ins and outs of short form comedy development for audio and screen.

North East Screen’s Comedy Hot House is delighted to announce the line up for its Industry Panel that is being held at the Women X Film Festival in Darlington on the 3rd of September.

On 29th September in Newcastle, BBC Comedy and NE Screen Comedy Hot House come together to present Adult Film Club, a special screening of comedy short films including everything from innovative sketches to unforgettable viral oddities.

On the 13^th of October, NE Screen Comedy Hot House will be hosting an afternoon of panels that will explore the ins and outs of short form comedy development for audio and screen.

On 29^th September in Newcastle, BBC Comedy and NE Screen Comedy Hot House come together to present Adult Film Club, a special screening of comedy short films including everything from innovative sketches to unforgettable viral oddities.