Skip to main content
Category

Uncategorized

Channel 4 launches first equity strategy

By Uncategorized No Comments

Channel 4 launches first equity strategy

PSB looks to embed diversity and inclusion into decision-making

Channel 4 has updated its diversity and inclusion policies with the launch of its first ever equity strategy framework.

The new framework titled ‘Equity by Design’ is intended to embed diversity and inclusion into C4’s decision-making from the outset. It was described in a statement as “a blueprint for everyone who works at Channel 4” as the broadcaster moves to become a digital-first streamer.

Equity by Design has been created around six principles which were designed by C4 employees, stakeholders and audiences. These are: make informed choices, design for inclusion, choose inclusive partners, treat people right, create opportunity, and lead on societal impact.

“As an agile digital-first streamer, our success will depend on how well we can anticipate and respond to changing needs in this space,” read a statement.

“We will only close existing diversity and inclusion gaps by applying a vigorous equity lens to everything we do. We will achieve this by improving how we design diversity and inclusion into our decision-making from the outset.”

As part of the equity strategy, the creative diversity team which sits in the commissioning department will be renamed creative equity, to reflect the new emphasis on equity throughout the business.

Within its six principles, the new framework also states that it will “assess and hold suppliers accountable to their commitment to equity” as part of its ‘choose inclusive partners’ principle. This means that C4 will focus on investing in diverse and inclusive partners and it empowers commissioners to set out equity expectations when working with suppliers, following diversity guidelines and compliance standards set out by the broadcaster.

The framework also intends to address societal issues impacting employees and audiences such as class. As part of this, the organisation is looking to meaningfully address the current conflict in Israel and Gaza and how it can best support the health and wellbeing of Jewish, Muslim and Arab employees and create a more inclusive culture with regards to faith.

In 2023, Channel 4 exceeded its diversity goals with women representing 58% of its workforce, with 22% of employees being ethnically diverse against a 20% target and 21% disabled compared to a 12% target.

“The fight for equitable representation is the foundation of Channel 4,” said C4 chief executive Alex Mahon.

“This Equity Strategy is the next jump ahead and will centre our ways of doing things and our employees and audience in helping us make more positive impact. As we become the world’s first public service streamer, we will be doing it with these values at the heart of all our choices.”

Source: BROADCAST

Cillian Murphy to star in ‘Peaky Blinders’ film, shoot set for September

By Uncategorized No Comments

Cillian Murphy to star in ‘Peaky Blinders’ film, shoot set for September

Speaking to Birmingham World at the premiere of his new BBC drama “The Town,” “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight confirmed that recent Oscar winner Cillian Murphy will be reprising his beloved role in the upcoming film version of the British crime drama. Knight said Murphy is “definitely” coming back, and filming on the “Peaky Blinders” movie kicks off this September.

“He definitely is returning for it. We’re shooting it in September just down the road in Digbeth,” Knight confirmed.

Murphy’s apparent return as Tommy Shelby for the “Peaky Blinders” movie isn’t too much of a shock considering the “Oppenheimer” star has long been vocal about his interest in starring in a “Peaky Blinders” film as long as the script was worthy enough.

“If there’s more story there, I’d love to do it,” Murphy told Rolling Stone U.K. last year about a “Peaky” movie. “But it has to be right. Steve Knight wrote 36 hours of television, and we left on such a high. I’m really proud of that last series. So, it would have to feel legitimate and justified to do more.”

Murphy told the Irish Star just last month ahead of winning the Oscar: “I have always said that if Knight delivers a script that I know he can deliver, because he is such a phenomenal writer, I’ll be there. … If we want to watch 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, I will be there. Let’s do it.”

During a conversation for Variety‘s Actors on Actors between Murphy and “Peaky Blinders” superfan Margot Robbie last year, she mentioned the series, saying, “Can we please talk about Tommy fucking Shelby for just one minute?” She then asked him about a potential spinoff movie, begging him to do one, to which Murphy said: “I mean, I’m open to the idea. I’ve always thought that if there’s more story to tell.”

Source: Variety

Stars hit red carpet in Birmingham for This Town premiere

By Uncategorized No Comments

Stars hit red carpet in Birmingham for This Town premiere

The new BBC drama from Peaky Blinders creator, Steven Knight premiered at Birmingham Town Hall last night, Tuesday 18 March and celebrities turned out to see it.

Screening on BBC1 on Easter Sunday at 9pm we can look forward to the high action drama from the Brummie writer with much of the scenes filmed around the West Midlands.

This Town tells the story of an extended family and four young people who are drawn into the world of ska and 2-Tone music, which grew from the grassroots of Coventry and Birmingham in the late 1970s and early ’80s. Unifying black, white and Asian youths at that time, Knight previously said the series soundtrack would be ‘sensational’.

Both a high-octane thriller and a family saga, This Town opens in 1981 at a moment of huge social tensions and unrest. Against this backdrop, it tells the story of a group of young people fighting to choose their own paths in life, each needing the second chance that music offers.

Celebrities attending the premiere were Geraldine James, Peaky Blinders’ Jordan Bolger and UB40’s Robin Campbell.

Source: Birmingham Live

Get down to This Town!

By Uncategorized No Comments

Get down to This Town!

Exclusive red-carpet screening for Steven Knight’s new BBC drama in Birmingham

Members of the public are invited to a free glitzy red-carpet preview of the brand-new BBC series ‘This Town’, created and written by Peaky Blinders creator, Steven Knight. Made by Kudos and Nebulastar for the BBC, it’s the story of an extended family and a group of young people who are drawn into an explosive and thrilling music scene in the Midlands in the early 1980s.

The star-studded event, which takes place at the Birmingham Town Hall on Tuesday 19 March, includes an exclusive screening of the first episode, followed by a panel discussion with Steven himself, Paul Whittington the director of the series and cast members Michelle Dockery (Downtown Abbey, Anatomy of Scandal), Eve Austin (You, Our Ladies) and more.

Fans can apply for tickets on the BBC Shows and Tours website. The ballot will remain open until 11.55pm on Sunday 10 MarchSpaces are limited and participant tickets will be selected from a ballot at random.

Produced by Kudos (a Banijay UK company) and Nebulastar for the BBC, co-produced with Mercury Studios, in association with Kudos North and Stigma Films, This Town opens in 1981 at a moment of huge social tension and unrest. Against this backdrop, it tells the story of a group of young people fighting to choose their own path in life, each in need of the second chance that music offers. It was filmed on location in the Birmingham area, and at Steven Knight’s new Digbeth Loc. Film and TV Studios.

This major new drama series features a thrilling cast including Michelle Dockery (Downtown Abbey, Anatomy of Scandal), Nicholas Pinnock (Life, Marcella), David Dawson (My Policeman, The Last Kingdom) alongside rising stars Levi Brown (Loss and Return), Jordan Bolger (The Woman King, The Book of Boba Fett), Ben Rose (Line of Duty, The Innocents),  Eve Austin (You, Our Ladies) and more.

The series is co-produced with Mercury Studios (part of the Universal Music Group) who have helped create the musical backdrop for Knight’s incredible story. Acclaimed producer Dan Carey, and Brit and Mercury nominated musician, novelist and poet Kae Tempest, have written the songs performed by the band in the series.

The commission of This Town underlines the BBC’s commitment to make more content across the UK, helping to ensure that the BBC’s portrayal of the Midlands is more authentic, more real, and more ambitious than ever before.

Hayley Valentine, BBC Head of the Midlands said: “This story is amazing and the fact that it was shot and made in the Midlands by Steven Knight has a huge impact on the creative economy in Birmingham and surrounding areas in the Midlands. It showcases the wide range creative talent that the whole of the Midlands has to offer, and the BBC is proud to be a part of it.”

Steven Knight, Creator, Writer and Executive Producer of This Town said: “I can’t wait for people to see this exciting new show. But, first, I’d love the people of Birmingham and Coventry to see it because it’s about us.”

Karen Wilson, Joint MD of Kudos said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our partnership with Steven Knight, with a show that is steeped in the spirit of the Midlands and the thrilling music scene of the era. We think Steve has created another cast of unforgettable, iconic characters and can’t wait for audiences to meet them”.

Martin Haines, Joint MD of Kudos said: “Our mission in setting set up the Kudos Knight partnership is to invest in brilliant West Midlands talent and to create a drama pipeline which is made in Birmingham and attracts the brightest and the best. We are delighted that our first project to come to the screen is This Town which is emblematic of everything we want to achieve. This is just the start…”

Marc Robinson, Co-President of Mercury Studios said: “It has been a privilege to be working with Paul Whittington, Steven Knight and the entire Kudos team in bringing the musical narrative of This Town to life. Music is at the heart of the series, and it has been a thrill to work with such excellent musical talent on this project. Having Dan Carey and Kae Tempest involved from script stage, set the tone that went on to attract the array of talent that ensued whilst in edit. Excited to share and celebrate the music that compliments this exceptional series.”

This Town is created, written and executive produced by Steven Knight. It is directed by Paul Whittington and produced by Tim Whitby and Charlotte Surtees. Executive Producers are Karen Wilson, Katie McAleese and Martin Haines for Kudos, and Tommy Bulfin and Jo McClellan for the BBC. Matthew James Wilkinson (Stigma Films), Nick Angel and Laura Conway (Kudos North) serve as Co-Executive Producers, Alice Webb and Marc Robinson (Mercury Studios) as Co-Producers. Banijay Rights will handle international distribution for the series.

Source: BBC

Festivals on Festivals: Autumn Edition

By Uncategorized No Comments

Festivals on Festivals: Autumn Edition

Recently, Birmingham and the West Midlands was crowned ‘Event Destination of the Year’ at an awards ceremony for the exhibitions industry, the EN (Exhibition News) Supplier Awards 2023.

There are plenty of fantastic Film Festivals and screening popping up across the region over the coming months. So, why not highlight all the fun things that make us the Event Destination of the Year.

National Cinema Day

Kicking off with National Cinema Day on 02 September 2023, where hundreds of cinemas across the UK are came together, offering tickets to all screenings from just £3. Cinemas showed a mix of recently-released films, as well as bringing back much-loved classics, many of which may not have been shown on the big screen in a number of years.

I Will Tell International Film Festival

The 17th edition of I Will Tell International Film Festival will take place in London, Birmingham and Bristol in the UK with the support of the British Film Institute bringing the festival to wider audiences across the UK. The festival will happen from 7-10 September 2023 in The Mockingbird Cinema and Birmingham Town Hall.

Birmingham Heritage Week

The city-wide celebration of almost 200 events showcasing Birmingham’s fascinating history, people, and places for Birmingham Heritage Week is from 8-17 September 2023. As part of the celebrations Matthew R Ford’s fascinating documentary ‘City On Screen‘ about Birmingham’s cinematic history, will be showing at The Mockingbird Cinema on 16 September 2023.

Pocket Film Festival

The Pocket Film Festival, supported by Film Hub Midlands, whirrs back into action again to deliver festival number 6 across Stafford from 12-17 September 2023. The six-day watch fest will be bringing more cinematic treats, special events, and performances back to venues across Stafford and beyond.

Screen B14: Thursday Film Night

The community cinema Screen B14 is back with their monthly Thursday Film Night residency at the Cuban Embassy (The Bulls Head), with the next night will be a screening of Pearl (15) on 21 September 2023. This is an amazing opportunity to build a regular local audience with exclusive film screenings that can’t be found anywhere else.

Birmingham Anime Film Festival

In its inaugural year, Birmingham Anime Film Festival will run from 29 September to 5 October 2023 with screenings in Digbeth and Edgbaston. The festival is organised by The Mockingbird Cinema in partnership with Geeky Brummie, Midlands Art Centre (MAC), and Flatpack Film Festival, sponsored by AllTheAnime.

Caribbean International Film Fest

Launching at the Midlands Arts Centre from 30 September to 1 October, 2023, Caribbean International Film Fest will screen a range of memorable films over an exciting weekend of engaging cinema and community in the West Midlands.

BFI London film Festival

The BFI London Film Festival isn’t exclusive to London. Once again, their fabulous partner cinemas will bring audiences around the UK a thrilling line-up of BFI London Film Festival films. In Birmingham, the MAC will screen a selection of LFF films throughout the beginning of October.

Worcester Film Festival

With year 3 of Worcester Film Festival, they’ll be returning to their prestigious venue at The Royal Porcelain Works and more. They have some big plans for this year from 4-7 October 2023, so get ready for their launch event, film screenings, Q&As, networking evenings, talks, and awards gala.

Short is Beautiful Festival

The exciting new Short is Beautiful Festival, in association with IMA Festival, proudly presented by Solihull Council and Culture Solihull, will take place across 16-17 October at The Core Theatre Solihull, with a programme of industry panels, workshops, and screenings.

Cine Excess

The annual international film festival and conference Cine Excess is back on 18-27 October 2023. Raising Hell: Demons, Darkness and the Abject invites participants to consider both classic and contemporaneous texts and consider their ongoing influence for both film audiences and cinema scholars.

Birmingham Film and TV Market

The Birmingham Film and TV Market provides the opportunity for one-on-one meetings between filmmakers and film & TV investors/ distributors, leading to film & television acquisitions, and production and distribution deals. All taking place on 27 October 2023 in The Grand Hotel.

Reel and Meal

The MAC’s popular Reel & Meal events pair a film from the world of international cinema with a delicious meal that nods to its theme. Upcoming screenings include Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary, Hocus Pocus, and City of God. The events are reminiscent of last month’s first ever Stirchley Film and Food Festival, by Stirchley Open Cinema teamed up with Yuup, who delivered an exciting line-up of films matched to excellent food from local restaurants.

The Black Country Horror Shorts Film Festival

Now in its fourth year, The Black Country Horror Shorts Film Festival by Weeping Bank Productions are proud to present their festival of original short horror films from around the world. Come down to the Ruskin Glass Centre in Stourbridge on 11 November 2023 for a horror-tastic night.

Birmingham Film Festival

Ending the year in the best way with Birmingham Film Festival on 17-26 November 2023, showcasing and recognising talent on a world stage. All screenings and many events are free to attend including features, shorts, documentaries, screen plays, TV pilots, and music videos on the main theatre screen in Millenium Point, as well support events with special guests.

For more details about exciting upcoming industry events in Birmingham and the West-Midlands, visit Film Birmingham’s events page.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

Writers’ festival launched in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome

By Uncategorized No Comments

Writers’ festival launched in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome

A new festival for stage and screen writers is being launched by Transition Stage Company in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome.

Taking place at Birmingham Hippodrome from January 25 to 27, 2024, StoryTown Festival will include competitions, networking events, and panel discussions.

BBC Writers Room is supporting the festival and will host a free event as part of it.

Further details of the programme are yet to be announced, but it will include other free events and covers multiple genres of writing, including musical theatre.

Transition Theatre Company’s annual script writing competition Enter.Stage.Write will also take place as part of the festival on January 25 and 26, alongside its Amplified competition, which focuses on black, asian and minority comedy writers.

Both competitions will see five shortlisted scripts staged as performances in front of an audience and a panel of judges, followed by an awards ceremony. The winner of each competition will receive a £1,000 prize and a year of writing support.

This year’s judging panel will include creative director at Birmingham Hippodrome Chris Sudworth; director Darcia Martin; producer Lisa Walters; and development executive at Expand Media (Sky Studios) Scott Pope.

Natalie Edward-Yesufu, chief executive of Transition Stage Company and Enter.Stage.Write, said: “It’s vital that writers and storytellers embrace entrepreneurship, knowledge, and collaboration in the face of artificial intelligence and job uncertainty amidst the cost of living crisis.”

“Enter.Stage.Write is our celebration of writers, while StoryTown festival facilitates connections and learning among writers, producers, and storytellers. I’m thrilled to gather individuals from across the UK in Birmingham for this exciting experiment in unity.”

Sudworth added: “We’re delighted to partner with Enter.Stage.Write to showcase exceptional new works in the West Midlands.”

“The programme chimes perfectly with the artist development and producing journey we have begun at the Hippodrome, supporting the creation of work that represents and reflects our great city.”

Edward-Yesufu plans for the festival to continue annually.

Source: The Stage, article by Giverny Masso

Film and TV Charity rolls out extra £0.5million to help UK film, TV, and cinema workers

By Uncategorized No Comments

Film and TV Charity rolls out unprecedented extra £0.5million to help UK film, TV, and cinema workers in urgent financial need as industry faces critical economic conditions that could devastate the livelihood of professionals, with long term consequences for the industry as a whole.

The Film and TV Charity has confirmed it is adding an additional £500,000 to its existing budget in response to the increase it has seen in applications for support with urgent financial need. Following a briefing call with representatives from its corporate partners, BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, Prime Video, ITV, Hartswood Films, and Banijay have also pledged further donations to bolster the Charity’s budget, adding to donations from other organisations and individuals that have been made during the Charity’s summer campaign. Other partners are expected to add to the overall pot as the challenging period looks set to continue.

The Charity, which supports the mental health and the financial and social wellbeing of people working in behind-the-scenes roles in film, television, and cinema, made the announcement ahead of its incoming CEO, Marcus Ryder MBE, speaking to delegates at the Edinburgh TV Festival.

The move follows an 800% rise in applications for stop-gap grants in July 2023 compared to the same month in 2022 and is also in response to emerging evidence that workers across the industry are exposed to financial insecurity that can negatively impact their mental health, with a wide range of current and more systemic contributing factors causing a perfect storm for many.

The Charity’s recent survey looking at the financial resilience of industry workers shows that 46% of respondents had zero or less than £1,000 in savings and half aren’t contributing to a pension. People from marginalised groups were more likely to be affected, with carers, Black and Global Majority, and Disabled workers often finding it even harder to navigate current financial pressures with higher levels of debt and lower household incomes. Insights from the survey will be presented and examined during the Charity’s Edinburgh session, entitled Production under pressure: Supporting life on the frontline, featuring Ryder; financial wellbeing and inclusion consultant and Film and TV Charity Trustee, Kirsty Good; and Dean Webster, Head of Development at Ten66.

The Film and TV Charity encourages anyone who is dealing with financial worries, debt or who is experiencing mental health concerns to contact its free, 24/7 Film and TV Support Line by calling 0800 054 0000 or by visiting www.filmtvcharity.org.uk. There they can access tools and advice to support their financial wellbeing, as well as check their eligibility and apply for urgent financial support.

Source: Film and TV Charity

Kudos Knight options Fringe play for Birmingham slate

By Uncategorized No Comments

Kudos Knight options Fringe play for Birmingham slate

Nathan Queeley-Dennis’ debut takes in various West Midlands cultural touch points.

Kudos Knight’s West Midlands-focused slate has yielded its first project under newly appointed Rem Conway, with a story about a young Black Brummie’s fraught love life.

Broadcast can reveal that the partnership has optioned Nathan Queeley-Dennis’ 2023 Edinburgh Fringe play Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz and is in the early stages of developing a drama out of the show.

Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz is Queeley-Dennis’ debut work, for which he won the 2022 Bruntwood Prize for playwrighting. It follows the story of Nathaniel as he explores the tricky world of dating around his locales in Birmingham.

Nathaniel, a serious romantic, views love as a fine art and is looking for a suitable match. During his journey of self-discovery Nathaniel explores Black masculinity through Beyonce lyrics, live music experiences and the deeply intimate relationship a man has with his barber.

The coming-of-age story takes audiences to different cultural touchpoints in the West Midlands including raves in Digbeth, the Rotunda and – specifically – the McDonald’s in New Street Station.

The title from theatre company Paines Plough, which has just completed its run at the Roundabout at Summerhall in Edinburgh to positive reviews, had been brought to Kudos Knight prior to Conway’s appointment as development producer earlier this month. But the Sex Education, My Name is Leon and Riches producer was immediately taken by the script and is working with Queeley-Dennis on the project.

The playwright and actor was born and raised in Erdington, Birmingham. His performance credits including Black Love (Kiln Theatre) written by Chinonyerem Odimba, and Really Big and Really Loud (Paines Plough) written by Phoebe Eclair-Powell.

Kudos Knight, set up by the Banijay label and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, has ambitious plans to grow a world-renowned scripted production hub in the West Midlands, and is already prepping Knight’s historical music drama This Town for the BBC.

Conway has been brought in to spearhead a local development slate of dramas to be produced in Birmingham using local talent and stories.

Speaking to Broadcast at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Conway and Kudos co-managing director Martin Haines talked up the importance of securing pipeline for the Digbeth Loc-based Kudos Knight, to help underscore its reputation as a hub for local programming.

Source: Broadcast – Article by John Elmes

UK’s leading film location services group with West Midlands depot, grows by 18%

By Uncategorized No Comments

UK’s leading film location services group with West Midlands depot, grows by 18%

James Williams, CEO of Supply 2 Location Group, the UK’s leading supplier of location services and logistics to the film and HETV industry, with a regional depot in the West Midlands issued the following trading statement earlier this week:

“Following the conclusion of our management buy-out in June 2022, we are delighted to announce that our turnover for the year ending 31st May 2023 was £10.2m which is an 18.4% increase on last year and maintains our profile of sustained growth over the last four years. This increase is reflective of the success and continued growth of the UK’s film and HETV industry.

Over the past year, we have also made several strategic investments in our overall plan to complete our UK-wide network.

In December, we opened our Northern depot in Knowsleyquickly followed by our second Scottish depot at Pioneer Studios and our seventh depot serving the Midlands. These new depots will continue to contribute to our growth by providing a highly effective, seamless, integrated hub and spoke network across the UK.

As part of our strategy to reinvest in the latest equipment including environmentally friendly plant, Stage V generators and battery solutions, we have maintained our capital expenditure in line with the previous year at £1.5m.

We are currently in negotiations to establish our first international depot. Whilst at the feasibility stage, it is an exceptional opportunity and would represent a significant step forward in our business development plan.

The industry as a whole, including supply chain infrastructure and technical operations, continues to be affected by the ongoing screenwriters’ and actors’ strikes in America. This will have a far-reaching financial impact around the globe, and we can only hope that it is quickly resolved. Our Group’s exposure to this is mitigated by our broad UK customer base and our diversification into infrastructure support and maintenance including generator refurbishment for major UK blue-chip organisations, which continues to expand weekly.

Supply 2 Location Group continues to lead the way in offering innovative, cost-effective, and flexible solutions tailored to our clients’ budgets, time and location constraints. This depth of experience and determination to be the industry market leader in providing a quality service to the world’s leading TV and film production companies has seen us support this year Walt Disney ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’, Warner Bros ‘The Batman’, Paramount ‘Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning’, Amazon ‘The Rig’, Apple TV ‘Silo13’, Netflix ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘The Witcher‘ and Sony TV ‘Outlander.

Our goal is to continue to develop the S2L brand and growth of our Group, increasing employment opportunities, improving our levels of service and evolving our range of sustainable equipment.”

MIDLANDS: 5-6 Franchise Street, Wednesbury, WS10 9RG, Serving Midlands Region

Source: Supply 2 Location

Kudos Knight appoints Rem Conway to grow West Midlands scripted production pipeline

By Uncategorized No Comments

Kudos Knight appoints Rem Conway to grow West Midlands scripted production pipeline

Kudos Knight, the creative partnership between leading scripted producer Kudos and Peaky Blinders, SAS Rogue Heroes and This Town creator Steven Knight, earlier this week announced the appointment of Sex Education Producer Rem Conway as their Development Producer to spearhead their ambitious plans to grow a world renowned scripted production hub in the West Midlands.

This new role will support the Kudos Knight management team in developing a vibrant drama slate to be produced in
Birmingham. Identifying and nurturing emerging local voices and proven writers from the area, Rem will work closely
with the Kudos creative team to bring these projects, which will be made in the West Midlands, to life. Particular
focus will be given to championing under-represented and previously unheard voices, to build the most creatively
diverse and exciting pool of talent possible.

The partnership also announced the opening of their new Kudos Knight office at the Minerva Works in Birmingham,
part of Steven Knight’s Digbeth Loc. Studios development, where Rem will be based.

A Birmingham native, Rem began his career in theatre production before making the transition to film and TV. A
writer, producer and director, his production credits include Netflix’s Sex Education, BBC’s My Name is Leon, ITV’s
Our House and ITV/Amazon’s Riches.

Passionate about bridging the gap between grassroots creatives and the wider industry, Rem will work closely with
local partners, cultural organisations, including theatres and screen agencies, to identify writing talent and broaden
the range of the Kudos Knight writer talent base.

Martin Haines, Joint MD of Kudos, said; “Rem is a fantastic addition to the team. He shares our drive to supercharge
scripted production in Birmingham and with him on board, a new Digbeth base, a growing pipeline of productions
and upcoming investment in local skills, there is real momentum behind the Kudos Knight partnership and the TV
industry in Birmingham.”

Rem Conway, Kudos Knight Development Producer, said; “Being a Brummie, this feels like a long-time coming and I
am honoured to be a part of the journey. Birmingham is rich with all the ingredients we need to create world-class
content and being rooted in Digbeth is the first big step for us. Now we’re rooted, I am focused on our reach. I want
to collaborate with trailblazing writers, discover the next generation of storytellers and work with partners that
share our determination to succeed. We’re open for business and ready to go!”

The Kudos Knight Partnership is committed to growing the TV and film industry in the West Midlands and set to
make substantial long-term financial investment in skills and training to grow the local workforce.

In the first initiative to be announced, Kudos Knight will work in partnership with the Birmingham Film Academy, a
boutique, specialist film and television training facility based at Digbeth Loc. Studios. Together they will create access
and pathways for local people into the screen industries, providing practical training courses embedded in industry
practice to ensure participants have the necessary skills needed to serve the growing production sector in the
region.

Steven Knight, said; “Our plan is to change the game in the West Midlands as regards creative industries and in
particular TV and film. We will be a globally important content making hub, hosting the world’s best story tellers and
producing world beating international productions. To take on the world we need the best of Birmingham on our
side. Our doors are open, our story has begun.”

Karen Wilson, Joint MD of Kudos, added; “Birmingham and the West Midlands are a thriving hub of incredibly
talented creative people – from writers and directors, to producers and actors. Working with the brilliant Steven
Knight we will tell stories inspired by the West Midlands to audiences across the globe. It’s an incredibly exciting
time and big things are set to come.”

The Kudos Knight partnership was established to support production and creative development in the region. Kudos
(part of Banijay UK), the production company behind Knight’s recent BBC One drama, SAS Rogue Heroes, as well as
high profile series including Then You Run, Deadwater Fell, Grantchester, Code 404 and International Emmy winning
Responsible Child, signed a deal with Peaky Blinders, SAS Rogue Heroes, Taboo and See creator Steven Knight to build
a scripted production pipeline in Birmingham. Kudos have a first look deal with Steven Knight for UK projects, which
will be made in Birmingham with Knight’s Digbeth Loc. Studios as its hub.

Production has already been completed on the first title from the Kudos Knight slate, This Town which was filmed on
location in Birmingham and Coventry and produced from Digbeth Loc. Studios. The new six-part drama which will air
on BBC One in the UK and explores the beginnings of the two tone music scene which grew from the grass roots of
Coventry and Birmingham in the late 70s and early 80s. Kudos Knight is also currently developing a new drama series
about the life of William Shakespeare, based on a concept by the BAFTA-winning Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire
and has several high profile developments on its slate.

Source: Kudos Knight