A NEW £10.5m fund is launching to attract major film and TV projects to Greater Manchester, support local production companies, and create new opportunities for homegrown talent across the city region.
The Greater Manchester Production Fund will back ambitious, market-ready feature films and scripted and unscripted TV projects that can deliver real economic impact, grow skills and strengthen our thriving creative sector.
It is open to Greater Manchester companies and to productions from elsewhere that will make a meaningful contribution to the city region.
The fund will provide a welcome boost to one of Greater Manchester’s fastest-growing sectors, with our creative industries already contributing more than £1.4 billion to the local economy and supporting more than 48,000 jobs.
It represents a major step in Greater Manchester’s plan to become the UK’s leading screen industry cluster outside London by 2028 – by attracting more productions, growing local production capacity and creating more opportunities for local people, freelancers and businesses.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Portfolio Lead for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth, said: “Greater Manchester already has a strong track record in film and television, with the talent, locations and crews to support world-class productions. This fund is about building on that strength by attracting more investment, creating more opportunities for local people and helping our creative sector grow.
“We want to see more productions choosing Greater Manchester, more local companies scaling up, and more people able to build successful careers in the industry here.
“And we want to see more of Greater Manchester on screen! This is a city region with huge creative energy and a distinct identity, and this fund will help ensure our stories, our places and our talent are seen by audiences nationally and internationally.”
Nicola Shindler, CEO and Executive Producer, Quay Street Productions said: “The screen sector in Greater Manchester is full of incredible talent, experience, creativity and hardworking people. This fund is a real vote of confidence in the region and an important investment in its future.
“By supporting productions to come here and grow here, it will help create opportunities for local freelancers, crew and businesses, while ensuring the industry remains strong, sustainable and continues to thrive for years to come.”
Guidance and application details are available through the Production in Greater Manchester website – https://productiongreatermanchester.co.uk/