Liverpool: LIVERPOOL is set to become Europe's shining light for micro-budget filmmaking with an ambitious plan to produce three feature-length films in the city in the run up to the 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations.
North West Vision, together with its partners the Liverpool Culture Company, the UK Film Council and the BBC, is inviting writers, producers and directors from the city and across the broader Northwest to get involved in the ground-breaking Digital Departures project.
"Liverpool is already recognised as a city of exceptional screenwriting talent and as a film-friendly location, but this brand new initiative will maximise the potential of the region's most talented filmmaking teams and provide a global platform for their work," says Chris Moll, Head of Funds for North West Vision, the film, TV and digital media development agency for the Northwest.
Tim Cagney, Head of UK Partnerships at the UK Film Council agrees: "Digital Departures will ensure that film plays a central role in the European Capital of Culture celebrations. We are confident that it will unearth some outstanding talent, deliver great films and become a dynamic model of micro budget production that Liverpool can export across the world."
Guided throughout by experienced industry professionals, each of the three Digital Departures films will have a cash budget of £250,000, to be fully financed by the partners. They will be developed, shot and post-produced in Liverpool and will premiere in the city in the autumn of 2008. The films will then be distributed nationally and internationally across a variety of digital platforms including the UK's rapidly-expanding Digital Screen Network. The BBC is taking UK broadcast TV rights.
North West Vision and its partners are also planning to offer a range of assistance to filmmakers including comprehensive training through a bespoke initiative called Digital Arrivals, in-kind support from leading facilities and service companies, specialised marketing and distribution advice and an innovative 'revenue share' model which ensures that everyone involved in the production benefits in its financial success.
"Digital Departures is an opportunity for filmmakers to immerse themselves in the creative opportunities of low-budget filmmaking," explains Steve Jenkins Head of Films at BBC Programme Acquisitions. "We are essentially looking for two things: ideas which are fresh, bold and distinctive, and talent who can grasp the challenge and deliver to an audience with very high expectations."
"In keeping with the spirit of 2008, these productions will fully engage the creativity of the region's directors, writers, producers, performers, technicians and musicians as well as drawing to Liverpool some of the most exciting, young filmmaking talent currently at work in UK and across Europe," says Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council.
Jason Harborow, Chief Executive of the Liverpool Culture Company, adds: "Digital Departures will usher in a new era for film in Liverpool and forms part of the commissioning strand of the 2008 programme. Sustainable film production in the city will ultimately come from equipping local filmmakers with the skills, self–confidence and relationships to grow into internationally successful artists."
To find out how to get involved with this fantastic scheme please visit: www.digitaldepartures.co.uk
North West Vision's website is www.northwestvision.co.uk
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Notes to Editors
- North West Vision is the film, TV and digital media development agency for England's Northwest. It works behind the scenes, supporting, funding and promoting film, TV and digital production in the Northwest. Find out more at: www.northwestvision.co.uk
- Film is a central part of the agency's activities. As well as nurturing the region's brightest talents through investment in the development, production and distribution of numerous shorts and feature films, it also operates a unique network of Film Offices in Liverpool, Cumbria, Cheshire, Manchester and Lancashire, providing a free, one-stop-shop film liaison service, covering all aspects of filming and production.
- In 2007 North West Vision will deliver an intense and varied programme of business development activity across the region through its two major economic funds, the Regional Attraction Fund (RAF) and the Merseyside Film and TV Fund (MFTVF). This funding has contributed to an explosion of growth in the region – a 30% rise in productions and a doubling of the independent TV sector in the last 12 months.
- North West Vision is funded by the UK Film Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency, European Regional Development Funds, local, city and council authorities across the region.
Contact Details
For further information please contact the North West Vision PR and Marketing Department
Denise Pearson
Communications Manager
denisep@northwestvision.co.uk
Tel: 0161 244 3745
Mob: 07734 193742
Mark Coleman
Web & Communications Coordinator
markc@northwestvision.co.uk
Tel: 0161 244 3746
Mob: 07725 246064
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