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Sir Lenny Henry has said being given opportunities in the entertainment industry allowed him to help “break down barriers” for other people of colour as he received the coveted special recognition gong at the National Television Awards. The 64-year-old comedian and actor who hails from Dudley was presented with the honour for his “trailblazing career in UK television”, organisers said. A video montage of his work across the years was played during the ceremony on Thursday at the OVO Arena Wembley in London before Sir Lenny collected the award.

Source: www.dudleynews.co.uk

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

Four films commissioned during Coventry’s City of Culture year are being recognised through nominations for a series of major awards. During Coventry’s City of Culture year, Sky Arts partnered with Arts Council England, the Trust, The Space and Shoot Festival to give 10 artists from the city creative broadcast opportunities.

The City of Culture Trust’s ‘Ghosts in the Ruins’ has been nominated in the Royal Television Society Midlands Awards in the specialist factual category. Performed at Coventry Cathedral in January, Ghosts in the Ruins was created by Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement recipient Nitin Sawhney CBE alongside the people of Coventry. It marked the 60th anniversary of Coventry Cathedrals’ consecration.

Meanwhile, 2 Tone: The Sound of Coventry, which was a collaboration between the City of Culture Trust and Full Fat Television, received nominations in Documentary, craft-post production and creative community. The film, commissioned by BBC England, used music, archive footage and a rare interview with 2 Tone founder Jerry Dammers as well as The Specials’ Neville Staple, The Selecter’s Pauline Black and others to explore the genre, which exploded out of Coventry in 1979.

Alexandra Johnson’s ‘Widow’s Might’ has been nominated for ‘short film’, and tells the story of a Coventry woman who gives up everything to look after her dying husband. Alexandra was also recognised for her work behind the scenes with nominations in the ‘Best Breakthrough off-screen’ and ‘writer’ categories.

Irish, Blacks and Dogs by Jack Norris has been nominated for short film. The film tells the story of an ageing Irish immigrant who must confront his prejudiced views when a young black paramedic comes to his aide after he suffers a fall.

Coventry City of Culture of Trust chief executive Martin Sutherland said: “We are extremely proud of the creative skill and talent showcased in each of these Coventry films and would like to congratulate all the nominees. So many incredible creatives call the West Midlands home, and these nominations further demonstrate what was achieved in partnership with some fantastic people and organisations during the City of Culture year.”

Hayley Pepler, former Head of Content & Digital Broadcast at Coventry City of Culture Trust and Producer of Ghosts in the Ruins for BBC4, added: “These nominations demonstrate that there is a thriving creative community in Coventry of writers, directors and producers delivering programmes for broadcasters of real quality and purpose. Foundations laid by these commissions during the City of Culture year will support the city’s creative economy as it develops into a destination for new production talent to tell their stories onscreen and grow successful businesses at this same time.”

Source: coventryobserver.co.uk

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Champion, a major new drama from Candice Carty-Williams, has begun filming in Birmingham for BBC One.  Set in south London, the original drama explores what happens when fame collides with family. It centres on Bosco Champion, once a UK rap sensation, as he arrives home from prison and plans to dominate the music industry once more.

The series comes from Balloon Entertainment and New Pictures and is exec produced by Jo McClellan for the BBC, Bryan Elsley, Dave Evans and Danielle Scott-Haughton for Balloon Entertainment, Charlie Pattinson, Willow Grylls and Imogen O’Sullivan for New Pictures, part of theAll3Media Group, and Carty-Williams.

The producer is Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor. Further writers include Isis Davis, Emma Dennis-Edwards, Ameir Brown and Edem Wornoo.

Carty-Williams (pictured) said  “Champion is a celebration of black music and a black family, however fragmented that family might be. Since I knew what music was, I’ve loved grime and UK rap and neo-soul, to the point of obsession, and to bring to a primetime slot a series that gives these genres of music life and texture is absolutely amazing, as is getting to work with some of the best producers making music today to create original tracks for the show. “I can’t think of anywhere else Champion could sit but the BBC and I’m looking forward to everyone seeing a show that they have never seen before.”

Source: www.theknowledgeonline.com

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Steven Knight, the creator of the popular show ‘Peaky Blinders’ is talking about his anticipated spinoff film of the much-loved franchise. In a recent interview, Steven spoke about how the film is taking shape, and from the sound of it, production may kick off as soon as Knight is about to complete the script.

In the interview, Knight said, “Yes, I’m writing it right now. I’m nearly done writing it, and we’re going to shoot it… I’m setting up some film and television studios in Digbeth in Birmingham.”

Knight had a historical motive for picking the locations for the shoot. As it is believed that the real-life Peaky Blinders, who served as the show’s inspiration, wandered the locales. “We’re going to shoot it at the studios in Digbeth, and on location in Digbeth in Birmingham. Digbeth and Small Heath is where the Peaky Blinders actually roamed. So it’s like Peaky’s coming home basically.”

During the interview, Knight confirmed his original commitment of starting the shoot in 2023 by saying that the it will begin in the next 18 months, which puts the project on schedule. While the details about the film are very limited due to the time it has for release, it looks like this will serve as a befitting closing curtain on the Shelby family and their gang. However, Knight hinted in the interview that the film would include a slew of familiar and beloved characters, as well as a slew of new ones.

‘Peaky Blinders’ has developed quite a fan base since it was first launched, and audiences have witnessed a never-before-seen crime boss as Tommy Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, and his street gang. It is the most adored British drama of recent times. The show, throughout its runtime, received a lot of praise and critical acclaim. It won the Best Drama Series BAFTA award in 2018.

The British television show was based on the real eponymous street gang that followed Shelby’s ambitious leadership of the group as it sought to spread its roots outside of Birmingham. ‘Peaky Blinders’ most-awaited season six was also successful, and all its seasons and episodes can be streamed on Netflix.

Knight also talked about wanting to share his work experience with the community that made it all possible. “But I’m just really looking forward to having a Peaky event where people can watch it communally,” he said.

“I mean, the social media community is so strong and people talk to each other. But to actually be together physically will be really interesting.”

Source: www.wionews.com

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The Pat Llewellyn Bursary fund is for the next compelling talent led documentary. Do you think you’ve discovered the next Stacey Dooley, Yinka Bokinni or Louis Theroux? Pitch us a winning proposal and not only will we give you £10,000, we’ll also match you with a mentor to help you make your idea happen.

To apply, we ask for 250 words to sell us your idea which should be suitable for commission by a UK broadcaster.

The 2022 Fund will give four successful applicants £10,000 each to develop their TV proposal. To celebrate Pat Llewellyn’s Welsh roots, and to encourage other women from Wales to follow in her creative footsteps, two places this year will be held specifically for any woman either born in or living in Wales, or with a Welsh parent.

The Fund is a collaboration between WFTV, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, All3Media and The Welsh Government.

Creative Producer Lab is returning this year with the aim to discover and develop the next generation of producing talent, and applications are now open. Taking place from August – November 2022, the Lab is open to aspiring, early-career Producers based in the North and the Midlands. Creative Producer Lab will bring together 8 participants from each region, connecting these thriving filmmaking communities through a series of workshops covering essential producing skills. Participants will leave the lab with a solid foundation in all practical aspects of managing a production, an expanded network of collaborators and peers, and the skills they need to make an impact in their local film industry.

Creative Producer Lab is supported by the BFI NETWORK teams at Film Hub North and Film Hub Midlands and delivered by Northern-based Producers Holly Carrington (Diploid Productions) and Barrington Paul Robinson (Redbag Pictures). As well as benefiting from insights from the Lab leaders, participants will hear from industry expert guest speakers and pick up specialist knowledge in key aspects of the production process.

Creative Producer Lab will consist of online talks and sessions, online and in-person mixers and visits to facilities houses. Sessions will take place twice per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout late August and September covering issues such as producing fundamentals, building a slate, budgeting and scheduling, pre-production, shooting, post-production, casting and distribution.

Applications close at 1pm on Friday 15th July.

Who’s it for?

For people with a lively and proven interest in film producing. The ideal Creative Producer Lab candidate will have good communication skills, a commitment to storytelling and the ability to work collaboratively.

Applicants should be Creative Producers based in the North or the Midlands who are in the early stages of creating their slate. To be eligible for the Creative Producer Lab you must:

• Have an interest in producing the work of others
• Be over 18 and not in full time education
• Have made one short film or theatre piece as a Producer or Production Manager, or have an equivalent level of experience across other roles (eg. Assistant Director, Project Manager or similar)
• Have a passion for cinema and an idea about what stories you want to tell
• Be based in the North of England or the Midlands
• Be able to attend all of the weekly sessions outlined in the programme timeline below

If you’d like to know more about Creative Producer Lab, there will be an information session from 11am-12pm on Monday 11th July to ask any questions you may have about the programme. Information Sessions take place via Zoom and will be hosted by a member of the Talent Development Team. You can sign up for the information session here.

Draft Programme Timeline

• June 21 – Open for applications
• July 15 – Applications close
• July 28 – Participants informed of selection & interviews booked
• Aug 25-Sept 29 – Talks programme taking place Tuesday and Thursday evenings weekly
• August Thu 25 – Talent Mixer
• August Tue 30 – Meeting 1
• September Thu 1 – Meeting 2
• September Tue 6 – Meeting 3
• September Thu 8 – Meeting 4
• September Tue 13 – Meeting 5
• September Thu 15   – Meeting 6
• September Tue 20 – Meeting 7
• September Thu 22  – Meeting 8
• September Tue 27 – Meeting 9
• September Thu 29  – Meeting 10
• Kit House Visit TBC
• Post House Visit TBC
• November TBC – Leeds Film Festival meetup

How to apply

To apply, simply complete the online application form linked below.

The form asks you to share some information about yourself, your creative background, why you want to be a Producer and what kind of films you want to make. If you’d like to prepare offline before completing the online form, there is a downloadable list of the questions asked for reference. For some questions, there is the option to answer via a written response, or an audio or video recording. If you’d prefer to answer via audio/video, just upload the relevant file when prompted.

Applications close at 1pm on Friday, 15th July.

Apply now

Applicants will be notified of decisions on 28th July. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a 20-minute interview as part of the process.

If you have any questions about the Lab or the application process, please send an email with the subject line “CREATIVE PRODUCER LAB APPLICATION” to our team at: bfinetwork@filmhubnorth.org.uk.

Creative Producer Lab is hosted by FHN and FHM and delivered by Diploid Productions and Redbag Pictures.

Source: filmhubmidlands.org

Slinky Productions is hiring a Production Assistant Intern for a period of 12 Months Full-Time. This 1 year student internship placement is for University students studying Video/TV/Film. The Internship must form part of your course and be permitted by your University. If you have completed your course or have already graduated then unfortunately you cannot fill the position.

Internship Details

LOCATION: Based in Birmingham (UK), but you will be expected to travel throughout the UK – and occasionally internationally – when required.

DURATION: 12 months, full time (circa mid August 2022 to mid August 2023)

STANDARD HOURS: Monday–Friday 09:00-17:00 although you will be expected to work outside these hours, at weekends and bank holidays as and when production and filming schedules require.

SUBSIDY PAY: £750 per month student internship subsidy

HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT: 20 days paid leave, plus statutory Bank Holidays

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday 7th July 2022 (11pm)

INTERVIEWS FOR SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES: Week commencing 18th July 2022

PROPOSED START DATE: Mid August 2022 (TBC)

Job Description

Source: www.slinkyproductions.co.uk

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