Screen East launches 2.25 million fund

Screen East launches £2.25 million
Content Investment Fund at the Cannes Film Festival
Regional Screen Agency, Screen East launched an exciting new £2.25 million Content Investment Fund at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday 19 May with internationally celebrated director Michael Winterbottom and producer Andrew Eaton officially announcing the scheme which is anticipated to be the biggest thing to come out of the East of England this year for Film, Documentary, TV and Digital Media.
Building on Screen East’s success in attracting productions to the East since 2001, the high profile event will help attract even more filmmakers to the region by highlighting the current creative opportunities made possible from the investment fund which runs until December 2008.
Laurie Hayward Screen East Chief Executive says, “The Content Investment Fund will invest up to 500,000 (250,000 GBP) in production projects which lead to improved employment and local economic regeneration. The Fund establishes Screen East as a regional financier, backed by the European Structural Funds to invest in films which are capable of making a return that can be reinvested in future projects.”
Sheryl Crown, Screen East Production Executive says, “This is a fantastic opportunity for the East of England and the UK film community, as the fund represents a much needed boost to the film economy. We will be able to act as a significant player in the international film market, providing finance and harnessing the most distinctive talent to produce great films with the potential to make both a cultural and commercial impact.”
The programme will have a huge impact on production in the region with an award of funding from the European Regional Development Fund Objective 2 Programme administered by GO East, Government Office for the East of England. Andy Luff, Programme Manager, said “The funding provides a great opportunity to enhance investment in filmmaking in the region providing a boost for our creative industries and helping regenerate parts of the region”.
The Content Investment Fund will provide production investment across Film, Documentary, TV and Digital Media to commercially viable productions, supporting a minimum of 20 productions shot wholly or partially in the specific Objective 2 economic regeneration areas in the East of England.

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