The production companies which will participate in Screen Forever’s UK Connect program have been announced.
The program brings together 10 Australian and 10 UK-based film and television producers who are seeking global partners and financing.
The successful Australian production companies are Bus Stop Films, Candid Films, CJZ, Goalpost Pictures, Highview Productions, Hoodlum Entertainment, Kojo Studios, Northern Pictures, Princess Pictures and Rhapsody Films.
The UK-based production companies selected to visit Australia to participate in the initiative are Agile Films, Caravan Media, Footprint Films, Hurricane Films, Little Monk Pictures, Modern Films, Saffron Cherry Productions, Taletime Pictures an Three Tables Productions.
Four UK-based sales agents have also been selected to join the program to bring additional funding opportunities to the table – Altitude Film Sales, AMP, Film Seekers and MetFilm Sales.
UK Connect is a joint initiative between Screen Producers Australia (SPA) and the British Film Institute (BFI). It will take place on May 2, ahead of the Screen Forever Conference between May 3 and 5.
The program will offer a full day of events, talks, networking and curated meetings focused on doing business and securing funding with co-production partners.
In addition, Screen Forever participants who are not part of UK Connect can connect with the delegation through meetings during Ready Steady Pitch, round tables, a co-production forum and one-on-one meetings as part of the wider conference.
SPA CEO, Matthew Deaner, said the group was overwhelmed with the calibre of applications to UK Connect.
“When assessing the applications, considering the slates and market-readiness of projects and the potential to be structured as UK-Australia co-productions, we are excited about and hopeful the initiative will forge new invaluable partnerships, and help finance future co-production projects,” he said.
“All 10 Australian production companies are from the SPA membership, and we are delighted to be able to provide such an important international opportunity to some of Australia’s most prolific and renowned storytellers at Screen Forever 37.”