As part of the BBC’s commitment to supporting the creative industries in all four nations and delivering the most distinctive content for audiences, the BBC has today announced the opening of its production development funds for this year.
Companies will be able to apply for 3 BBC opportunities: the Small Indie Fund – TV, the Small Indie Fund – Digital, and the Radio & Music Indie Development Fund. All recipients of these funds receive strategic investment, mentors from the commissioning teams, and a programme of introductions to wider BBC teams, to help them grow and develop their ideas and businesses. The total investment available is £1.25m.
The Small Indie Fund supports the growth of small independent production companies from across the UK with turnovers below £10m, and this year will have a dual focus:
- The Small Indie Fund – TV will support production companies to develop TV programmes for the BBC across Scripted, Unscripted and Children’s.
- The Small Indie Fund – Digital will support production companies and studios to who are looking to develop digital media content across a range of genres and platforms.
There will also be further specific Unscripted opportunities in Northern Ireland, building on the successful Hot House initiative.
Now in its fourth year, the Radio Indie Development Fund will continue to provide successful applicants with support in growing their business through expert mentorship and strategic guidance, and this year will be focused on companies with proven experience in delivering radio and podcasts.
All 3 funds prioritise supporting companies based in the Nations & Regions, and those with at least two individuals in key leadership roles who are from under-represented groups.
The funds will all close to applications on 22 December.
David Pembrey, Chief Operating Officer, BBC Content, says: “We are committed to supporting smaller independent companies and studios, who are a vital part of our creative industries. These funds form part of our wider content and skills investment in the grassroots of production across the UK, ensuring we tell a range of distinctive homegrown stories for audiences”.
MO