Channel 4 and Northern Ireland Screen have joined forces to help boost Northern Ireland's broadcast sector.
The two-year partnership will see the organisations working closely together to support and grow the production sector through a range of initatives including the launch of More4 Northern Ireland.
As part of the partnership, Channel 4 are inviting independents to pitch ideas to form a new four-part series which could become a returning high-volume production on More 4.
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Channel 4’s Managing Director Nations and Regions Sinead Rocks said: “Northern Ireland has a rich history in film making and a wealth of creative talent and, working with Northern Ireland Screen, I want Channel 4 to be the catalyst that harnesses the next generation of talent and supercharges the nation’s broadcast industry.”
Northern Ireland Screen Chief Executive, Richard Williams added: “This marks another significant stage in the development of the Northern Ireland screen industry and underlines the importance of a joint approach to its future strategy.
"This partnership agreement is clear evidence of Channel 4 and Northern Ireland Screen’s commitment to invest financially and creatively as we continue to develop an internationally competitive screen industry here. This initiative offers local producers wonderful opportunities, but the real winners will be viewers all across the UK.”
Channel 4’s Head of Daytime and Features Jo Street said: “ More4 Northern Ireland is a fantastic opportunity only open to indies in Northern Ireland. We’ll be inviting indies to pitch programmes ideas for a four-part series which could, potentially, become a high volume, returning series on More4.
“This development process alone will help forge stronger ties between Northern Ireland indies and Channel 4’s commissioners but hopefully it will also produce a brilliant new, returning series.”
The aims of the partnership between Channel 4 and Northern Ireland Screen are to: see more Northern Ireland based indies successfully secure Channel 4 commissions; create more opportunities for NI talent to advance their careers in the television sectors; increase sustainability for NI indies; have NI indies view Channel 4 as their key broadcast partner.
The partnership will focus on three key areas: forging stronger relationships with the broadcast sector in Northern Ireland beginning with an Open Day on 22 nd June; undertaking specific initiatives to support production capability in the nation; building upon existing in initiatives to develop talent and address skills gaps.
More4 Northern Ireland will be launched at the Channel 4 Belfast Open Day on 22 nd June. Commissioners will liaise directly with Northern Ireland based indies to outline what the channel is looking to commission for More4. Indies will also be offered support and guidance on how to submit the best possible ideas.
As well as detailing the More4 Northern Ireland scheme, the Belfast Open Day will feature a range of talks, workshops and panels and cover topics such as audience trends, creative diversity, production finance and practical legal and business affairs advice.
Open to indies, key stakeholders and talent the events will be a mix of virtual and in-person events, including pre-booked one-to-one sessions with commissioners.
For more information on the Belfast Open day, CLICK HERE.
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