Member News
A pioneering partnership which has helped nurture our talent and bring blockbuster films to Teesside has seen leaders mark its three-year anniversary.
The BBC’s agreement with the North East Screen Partnership (NESIP) brought a push to boost homegrown talent in our region on its launch in 2021.
In that time, Teesside has hosted the filming and premiere of star-studded movie Jackdaw, as well as seeing a rise in a raft of TV and film productions coming here.
The £11.4million North East Screen Industries Partnership, backed by £4.5million of investment from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, is being delivered by North East Screen.
It was established to capitalise on the BBC’s commitment to invest £25million in the region to help fund TV production and talent development across the region’s creative sectors.
The BBC’s latest comedy Smoggie Queens, written by and starring local actor Phil Dunning, is currently filming in Middlesbrough and features Mark Benton, Alexandra Mardell, Patsy Lowe, and Elijah Young.
Set on Teesside, the programme will showcase the region’s LGBTQ+ community, and received funding from the North East Production Fund (NEPF) – managed by North East Screen.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie met Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen in Darlington on Thursday (August 1) to discuss the region’s future and mark the three-year anniversary.
Mayor Houchen said: “Our region has fantastic locations, amazing talent, and huge potential as a centre for TV and film making - so it has been great to see the development of new shows in our area as part of this growing partnership with the BBC.
“We are building a growing reputation as a place where opportunities in the creative and digital sectors are thriving. This is why the expansion of the BBC in places such as Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool is so important as it not only shows off the best of our area but provides long-term careers for local people in well-paid skilled industries.”
Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen, said: “The landmark BBC partnership was a substantial catalyst for the growth the screen industry in the North East. Over the past two years production has grown by 86% making our region the fastest growing in the UK.
“We have welcomed home grown and inward productions from the BBC, ITV, C4, Sky, Netflix, and Amazon, as well as major feature films. We have generated £12.7m of GVA (calculated by Saffery Champness on behalf of NE Screen) and secured regional jobs equivalent to 264 FTEs.
“The BBC has played a key role in giving broadcasters confidence in our production companies, talent, regional-based crew, our world-class locations, and the business-winning supply chain companies based here.
“With growing strength in our local production companies and infrastructure, and studio developments already underway, we will continue the delivering alongside our partners to ensure the North East has a sustainable screen industry that will see global content produced in the region all year long.”
Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, said: “The BBC is proud to play a part in this landmark commitment to the North East. By boosting investment, allocating the right resources, and moving people outside of London – we’re making sure that authentic, home-grown stories from this amazing region are being told. It is our mission to bring people together and make sure the BBC continues to serve and reflect audiences from across the UK. We’re committed to our vision of supporting the North East’s vibrant media industry for the future and beyond.”
