Producers announced for new drama initiative in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Glasgow-based training provider TRC announces nine selected indies taking part in new scripted drama initiative International Horizons: Scripted.

Aimed at boosting production of scripted drama in the three nations, International Horizons: Scripted will provide companies with the skills, knowledge and networks necessary to thrive in international markets.

The initiative has already garnered significant interest from the wider industry, with leading broadcasters, distributors, studios and production companies excited about the opportunities it will unlock.

The nine successful delegates who have been selected to take part in International Horizons: Scripted are:

  • Anna Callan, Fine Point Films, Northern Ireland
  • Paul Kennedy, Village Films, Northern Ireland
  • Dermot Lavery, DoubleBand Films, Northern Ireland
  • Deanne Cunningham, Synchronicity Films, Scotland
  • Arabella Page Croft, Black Camel, Scotland
  • Paul Murray, Boy 313, Scotland
  • Ed Talfan, Severn Screen, Wales
  • Rachel Evans, Boom Cymru, Wales
  • Gethin Scourfield, Triongl, Wales

This advanced industry programme, developed with the support of BFI awarding National Lottery Funding, Creative Wales, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland, will take place across sixth months. Along with one-to-one support and networking opportunities in each nation, participants will receive unrivalled access to industry experts.

Confirmed contributors to the programme to date include:

  • Georgia Brown, Consultant and former Head of Amazon Studios, Europe
  • Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama at Channel 5 and Paramount+
  • Jon Farrar, SVP, Group Editorial & Content, BritBox
  • Rebecca O’Connor, Director of Production, Sky Studios
  • Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights
  • Laura Andrews, Commercial Director, UK Drama at ITV Studios
  • Nick Lee, Commercial Director – Drama & Comedy at BBC Studios                                                                                                       
  • James Copp Co-Head of Content at Night Train Media
  • Rebecca Dundon, SVP of Scripted Content at Fremantle
  • Lee Stone, Partner at Lee & Thompson’s Film Group
  • Pete Saville, MD & Music Supervisor at Carbon Logic                                                
  • Robin Hilton, Media and Entertainment Partner at Sheridans                                       

Developed and delivered by TRC and creative lead Caroline Levy, the course will include funded attendance to Content London in December and will culminate with an international market visit in 2025, expanding the delegates networks both within the UK and internationally.

Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland said: “We are thrilled with the high calibre of indies selected this exciting new program from TRC. We’re confident that these companies will not only gain valuable and practical learning through International Horizons Scripted but also deliver real value to the cohort through sharing their valuable experience.”

To learn more about International Horizons Scripted, please visit the TRC website.

Background

This programme is funded by the BFI awarding National Lottery Funding, Creative Wales, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland.

TRC

TRC is one of the UK’s leading training providers for Broadcast and Digital. TRC is a registered charity based in Glasgow, funded by Screen Scotland, BBC Nations and Regions and Channel 4.

Press contact: Claudia Detomaso, Marketing Executive at TRC [email protected]

BFI

The BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image. Our mission is:

  • To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
  • To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive
  • To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals - delivered online and in venue
  • To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding of film and the moving image
  • To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter. The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Jay Hunt.

Creative Wales

Creative Wales is a Welsh Government economic development agency established to promote and grow the creative industries in Wales.

Our focus is to offer funding, support, and guidance across a range of sectors from TV and Film, Animation - including immersive Tech, AR/VR - through to Games, Music, and Publishing - positioning Wales as one of the best places in the world for creative businesses to thrive.

We are passionate about creating opportunities for people in the industry. Whether that’s entry-level training or developing and upskilling people already working in our creative sectors. We are committed to investing in people from a diverse range of backgrounds, whether they’re young people, newcomers to the industry or our talented and experienced workforce.

From studio development to grassroots music venues, indie games developers and major international productions, we provide funding, specialist advice and help people within the industry to make connections that will nurture the development of creative projects of all sizes. We also actively promote sustainability, fair work, and equal opportunities for everyone working across our creative sectors.

Whether we are supporting home-grown talent or working to attract international creative projects to Wales, our aim is always to strengthen the industry for the long term and create exciting and rewarding opportunities for future generations.

For more information visit creative.wales and follow us on socials:
Instagram: @cymrugreadigol 
X: @CreativeWales 
LinkedIn: cymru-greadigol-creative-wales

Northern Ireland Screen

Northern Ireland Screen is the government-backed lead agency in Northern Ireland for the film, television and games industries, driving global growth through boosting our economy, celebrating our culture and enhancing our children’s education.

In our strategy, Opening Doors (Phase II), launched in 2018, we have a clear vision to transform the screen industries in Northern Ireland, ensuring that we have the strongest screen industry outside of London in the UK and Ireland within 10 years, supported by vibrant and diverse cultural voices that are recognized and celebrated equally at home and abroad.

This mission, to accelerate the development of a dynamic and sustainable screen industry and culture in Northern Ireland, is supported by intervention in the following areas:

  • Production and development funding for film, television and digital content;
  • A free information service and production support for filming in Northern Ireland, including locations FAM trips for incoming productions; help with sourcing crews and facilities; studio facilities Titanic Studios and Belfast Harbour Studios, as well as excellent alternative build space;
  • Marketing Northern Ireland as a worldwide production location and promoting its product and talent;
  • Financial assistance for training and skills development;
  • Production funding for Irish Language and Ulster-Scots programming;
  • Investment in film education, heritage and archive, film festivals and cultural cinema.

Northern Ireland Screen is a company limited by guarantee, currently employing 28 people and governed by a Board of thirteen Directors. The Chairwoman is Rotha Johnston and Kenneth Branagh is Honorary President. 

Northern Ireland Screen is funded by the Department for the Economy and by the Department for Communities and is delegated by the Arts Council of NI (ACNI) to administer Lottery funding for film in Northern Ireland.

www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk

Screen Scotland

Screen Scotland drives development of all aspects of Scotland’s film and TV industry, through funding and strategic support. Screen Scotland is part of Creative Scotland and delivers these services and support with funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Find out more at screen.scot and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.