News / Film
Bristol production companies receive Channel 4 backing
A cluster of Bristol companies have gained recognition from Channel 4 as part of the broadcaster’s drive to support work outside of London.
Indefinite Films, which is headed up by Knowle-based producer Kate Cook and director Bruce Goodison, has been named as a recipient of a new Emerging Indie Fund, while Drummer Television was selected under the genre of factual.
Discretionary awards were also granted to Blak Wave Productions and Proper Job as yet further recognition of the strength of the city’s film, TV and production sector, which is increasingly recognised on the global stage.
Each of the selected companies will now be able to access funding, mentoring and advice from Channel 4’s commercial affairs, programming and legal teams.
Indefinite’s first title was a coming-of-age feature, Leave to Remain, starring Toby Jones, about the lives of a group of refugee teenagers seeking asylum in the UK.
Kate Cook says there is a strong creative talent pool in the city- photo credit Indefinite Films
Speaking about this latest accolade, Kate Cook, says: “Bruce and I have worked together for 20 years and we share an ambition to uncover unique stories that have a cultural and social significance.
“Having shot our last two projects in Bristol together, Channel 4’s The Cure & Murder in the Car Park, we’re excited to have their backing to take Indefinite Films to the next level with a view to producing more narrative content out of Bristol.
“There is a strong creative talent pool in the city that is growing all the time, so we’ll be looking to collaborate with that regional talent, as well as looking further afield and overseas. We look forward to taking our slate forward with the support of Channel 4’ drama department.”
Drummer Television was founded nine years ago in Bristol by Rachel Drummond-Hay and Tamsin Summers.
Rachel says: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as one of the Channel 4 Emerging Indies – especially as we were told that our company ethos and long terms commitment to diversity were key parts of the decision, as well as our slate of programme ideas. We also won the Bristol Diversity Award for Diverse Production Company at the weekend so it’s been a great end to a tricky year.”
Mena Fombo and Michael Jenkins of Blak Wave received a discretionary award – photo courtesy of Blak Wave
Blak Wave was created by Michael Jenkins and Mena Fombo in 2019 and is committed to producing film and TV that better reflects our society, while giving a voice to unheard voices and telling untold stories.
Responding to the recognition from Channel 4, Mena says: “We’re really excited to be selected for this discretionary award from Channel 4, especially alongside a brilliant line up of other companies.
“It’s great to be recognised as an indie to invest in, and we’re looking forward to developing lots of ideas and content for 2021.”
Bruce Goodison directing Channel 4’s Murder in the Carpark at Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios (credit Indefinite Films)
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