The Creative Catalyst

Our commitment to the creative industries is demonstrated by The Creative Catalyst programme, a £1.5m scheme designed to support the growth of the creative sector across Leeds City Region.

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Indielab West Yorks: The Creative Catalyst Accelerator

Applications now closed. Successful applicants to be notified pre-Christmas. Delivery of programme begins February 2022.

Our partnership with Indielab to delivery The Creative Catalyst Accelerator.

This scheme represents the LEP’s desire to help the region’s content producers attract higher volumes of higher value work and will provide invaluable support to the screen production industry and boost growth across West Yorkshire.

Find out more 

The Creative Catalyst is an initiative developed by the LEP to help drive growth and establish an ecosystem for creative businesses. 

The programme funded the Leeds City Region Indie TV and Film Development Fund, which was delivered in partnership with Screen Yorkshire. This supported independent TV and film production companies to help develop new content through the COVID-19 crisis.

  1. Mark Robinson

    Creative Director of Wise Owl Films

     

    "There are not many companies pitching documentaries and series that reflect life, in a non-stereotypical way, in the North of England. We want to challenge national perceptions of the region."

    Read the full interview with Mark Robinson.

  2. Rebecca Papworth

    MD, Creative Producer and Executive of CanCan Productions

     

    "We are proud of our location in the North and represent an indigenous company invested in success in the regions, that’s a USP we bring to all our conversations with broadcasters and commissioners."

    Read our interview with Rebecca Papworth in full.

The outcomes of the Indie TV and Film Development Fund:

  • 22 projects supported across 13 businesses located in Leeds City Region
  • The creation of significant opportunities for freelancers working in the region’s TV and film industry
  • Allowing the region’s indie production companies to continue producing content to pitch for commissions

The Indie TV and Film Development Fund was launched in May to support businesses in our region and the wider industry during a difficult time.

Recipients of the fund include Rollem Productions in Leeds and Meridian Line Films based in York.

Kay Mellor OBE, Managing Director of Rollem Productions said:

“The funding from the LEP has been a huge help in boosting and maintaining our content development during these difficult times.

In particular, we’ve been able to support upcoming writers to ensure their work can continue and they don’t miss out on any career opportunities.”

Nacressa Swan, Executive Producer at Meridian Line Films said:

“Over the last five years, Meridian Line Films have built a strong track record in producing high quality documentary series for broadcasters across the world. But as a diverse, northern indie, we’re also passionate about telling stories and creating formats, from our region and beyond, that reflect modern Britain.

The support from the LEP has helped us to progress those projects with UK broadcasters.”

Further aspects of The Creative Catalyst will be launched in the upcoming months.

Other production and broadcast news

  5. #Grow

    #Grow

    If you’re a digital business based in Leeds City Region, then you could qualify for grant funding of £10,000 to £50,000 through the LEP’s City Region Digital Investment Fund.