The BBC and North East Screen have shortlisted 12 North East production companies for a new Digital Accelerator programme aimed at boosting the region’s capacity to create digital-first content for younger audiences.
Backed by £600,000 of investment from the BBC and the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), the initiative is designed to support production companies in developing original content for platforms including YouTube, TikTok and Twitch, with a particular focus on 16–24-year-olds.
The shortlisted companies will take part in a development phase before pitching directly to the BBC commissioning team. From this group, up to four companies will be selected to produce their digital ideas.
The shortlisted companies are: Adventure Alliance Films (County Durham); Candle & Bell (Gateshead); Film Nova (Gateshead); MOTIF (Gateshead); MediaBorne (Gateshead); North Wrestling (Newcastle); Northern Child (Newcastle); Nrthrn Baby (Newcastle); Second Draft (Sunderland); Sea & Sky Pictures (Hartlepool); Twenty Six 03 (Gateshead); Wander Films (Middlesbrough).
Fiona Campbell, BBC controller of youth audiences and interim director of unscripted, said: “The Digital Accelerator is about backing ideas and companies that want to reach young audiences in new ways. The shortlist reflects the breadth of creative talent in the North East, and we’re looking forward to working with these companies as they develop digital-first projects.”
The initiative comes as the BBC continues to expand its digital strategy for younger audiences, including a recently announced strategic partnership between BBC Group and YouTube aimed at supporting creators across the UK.
Lisa Laws, development director at North East Screen, said the shortlist included a mix of established linear producers and companies already focused on digital IP. She added that the programme was intended to help North East businesses grow sustainably as the market becomes increasingly platform-led.
Image: Fiona Campbell speaking with North East companies at a launch event
