New Writing North and Channel 4 Renew Partnership to Boost Local Writers
New Writing North and Channel 4 extend their partnership to support local writers, offering new opportunities and resources for emerging talent.
New Writing North, Channel 4, Gateshead, Newcastle, UK
Gateshead: New Writing North and Channel 4 are teaming up again. They just renewed their partnership for three more years. This deal is all about supporting local writers in the North East.
The goal is to find and nurture amazing writing talent for TV. This is great news for new writers and those wanting to try screenwriting.
Channel 4 is backing this partnership through its 4Skills initiative. They will offer bursaries, development programs, and expert help. Writers will also get mentoring and networking opportunities.
This exciting news was shared at a recent Screenwriting Weekender event. It was hosted by New Writing North, which has expanded its focus across the north.
The event kicked off with Gateshead-born writer Peter Straughan. He’s nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay, Conclave, and got early support from New Writing North.
Anna Disley, the executive director, expressed gratitude for the renewed support. She noted that the partnership has helped discover diverse and talented writers in the UK.
However, she pointed out that the industry is still very London-centric. This often shows in the stories we see on TV.
New Writing North aims to change this. They want to find talent from all over the north and help it shine on national and international screens.
Recently, Channel 4 honored local writers at the Writing for TV Awards. Newcastle’s Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock and Emily Low from the Tyne Valley received recognition.
There’s also a £5 million package for New Writing North to create a writing center in Newcastle. The historic Bolbec Hall is likely to be the new home.
As part of the awards, Channel 4 will support four emerging writers. They’ll get financial help and professional experience with a production company.
Additionally, eight writers will attend screenwriter weekends, and five experienced writers will get help to prepare their projects for the screen.
Up to ten people can join script hubs, and there will be open-access events too. This brings more attention to the region, where talent is abundant but opportunities are limited.
The UK is known for producing top-notch film and TV. In 2022, the country saw over £3.6 billion in investment for high-end TV and £1.7 billion for film.
Yet, only 9% of industry workers come from working-class backgrounds. This partnership aims to change that by creating pathways for diverse talents.
The North East has seen an 89% increase in film and TV production recently. The Government is also investing in a new £450 million film studio in Sunderland.
New Writing North has expanded its support programs for screenwriters in recent years. Channel 4’s Sinead Rocks emphasized the importance of nurturing new talent.
She highlighted the need to find voices from regions like the North East. This partnership is crucial for creating opportunities for a new generation of writers.