North-East-based indies will progress to production stage of major scheme

The BBC and North East Screen will hand four indies £100,000 each for the final stage of their joint £600,000 Digital Accelerator initiative for the North-East region.

The four regional producers were chosen from a shortlist of 12, selected in February, who were each funded to develop digital-first content ideas for 16–24-year-old audiences on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Twitch.

The final four are:

• Adventure Alliance Films – Newcastle
• FilmNova – Gateshead
• Northern Child – Newcastle
• Wander Films – Middlesbrough

Adventure Alliance Films is the co-producer of Danger Play, following people whose jobs involve extreme physical risk, for Quintus and Vice TV.

Sports specialist FilmNova produces coverage of The Boat Race for Channel 4, in a deal running until 2030.

Northern Child, the sister company of Brighton-based Middlechild, is behind shows including BBC1 daytime legal series Northern Justice.

Wander Films, which landed investment from S4C this year, has produced the self-published YouTube series Unthinkable, which explores the limits of human willpower.

Digital Accelerator is the largest investment of its kind in the region’s digital screen sector, aiming to combine direct investment with mentoring and skills development.

BBC head of digital development Mariel Capisciolto said: “What has been particularly exciting about this programme is the ambition and diversity of ideas coming from these four companies, from creator-led entertainment and competitive championships to outdoor adventures and new YouTube channels.

“We’re backing them not just to make great content, but to experiment with new ways of reaching audiences and building sustainable businesses beyond traditional commissioning models.

“This is a chance to support innovation, take creative risks alongside independent producers and help develop the next generation of digital content businesses in the North-East.”

Development director at North East Screen Lisa Laws said: “The companies taking part are not simply developing new ideas; they’re exploring new business models, new revenue opportunities and new ways of reaching audiences in an increasingly digital world.

“Together, we’re creating an environment where companies can test new ideas, take creative risks and develop content for the next generation of audiences, helping position the North-East as a place where the future of screen content is being shaped.”

North-East-based BBC commissioning editor for daytime and early peak Helen Munson added: “This fantastic, future facing opportunity will give four North East based companies access to industry experts and provide them with real world experience in developing and producing content for digital platforms.”

The programme, announced at Edinburgh TV Festival 2025, has £600,000 backing from the BBC and the North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP), which is delivered by North East Screen and funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority.