Senior representatives from the likes of Sky, House Productions, Curzon, Channel 4 and Paramount+ will be taking part in a pitch session with up-and-coming filmmakers, writers and producers as part of the second edition of the UK’s Birmingham Film and TV Market (BFTM).
The market – which last year was called the Birmingham Film Market – will take place at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham on October 7.
Executives confirmed to take part are Amy Lotherington, development exec for original film at Sky: Louise Sutton, executive producer at House Productions; Caroline Hollick, head of drama at Channel 4: and Paul Testar, producer at Paramount +.
Further companies set to be represented include Curzon, Independent Entertainment, First Flights, Fullwell 73 and Eccho Rights.
“This year we have a panel of industry experts on the business side of film and TV, who will covering all the essential subjects such as finance and insurance to give priceless insights to our delegates,” said Mellissa Donello, a BFTM founder. “We have three productions from the 2021 crop already under way, which has encouraged other decision makers to come on board to tap into the talent on offer at the Birmingham Film and TV Market.”
Projects from last year’s market that have gone on to secure financing include a post-World War II TV series set in the West Midlands and a crime drama feature.
Donello set up the BFTM alongside fellow filmmakers Louise Osbourne and Sophie Ivanova, to help build investment in the Midlands and develop local talent.
The organisers are working to a five-year plan to raise the profile of the Midlands, and told Screen: “Our plan is to expand into a world-class multi-day industry market and trade expo similar to AFM [American Film Market]/Cannes/Mipcom.”
The BFTM has teamed up with Peaky Blinders creator and Spencer writer Steven Knight, who was raised in Birmingham, to find the best screenwriters in the Midlands for the 2022 Steven Knight: Make It In Birmingham award, with the prize including a meeting with Knight to develop and support their writing future.
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