Tyneside Cinema Announces Art Council Award for Major New Project to Develop Young Creative Talent in the North of England

Tyneside Cinema are delighted to announce that they have been successful in their bid to lead the Random Acts Network Centre in the North - one of five Centres across England, in a new initiative funded by Arts Council in partnership with Channel 4 to identify and develop young creative talent aged 16-24. Tyneside Cinema’s Centre has been awarded £600,000 in order to carry out the project and will produce 72 short films which can be from 90 seconds to 3 minutes long - over 3 years, all ofwhich will have exposure across Channel 4’s various digital platforms, with the very best having the possibility of making it onto national television. This exciting new project is yet another example of the creative potential of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’. It is led by Tyneside Cinema (Newcastle) in a partnership with HOME (Manchester) and True North (Leeds) one of the North’s leading independent production companies - along with an extended network of collaborators including large and small arts, cultural, youth, community and educational organisations right across the Northern region  (North East, Yorkshire, North West and Cumbria). A total of 24 young participants per year will be chosen to take part in an inspirational 3-day residential talent camp with a range of professionals from across the creative industries, before being mentored in the creation of their own short films with the support of a professional production company. Mark Dobson, CEO of Tyneside Cinema said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for creative young people in the North, working in any artistic discipline, that might have an idea for a short film - from poets and musicians, to dancers and visual artists. Tyneside Cinema already has a national reputation for the quality of its work with young people and we are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded this significant investment from Arts Council, and to have theopportunity to work with so many other exciting and diverse cultural organisations to unearth the creative industry talent of tomorrow”. Marisa Draper, Head of Engagement at HOME says: “HOME is delighted to be involved as a strategic partner on the Arts Council England funded Random Acts Centre for the North at Tyneside Cinema. Having just opened Manchester's new arts and entertainment venue, HOME looks forward to opening up opportunities for locally based talented young people to develop skills and showcase their work. The prospect of working more closely with Northern based production companies and cultural institutions, including Tyneside Cinema to strengthen the support of and output from the next generation of UK based creatives is fantastic.” Andrew Sheldon, Creative Director and Founder of True North says: “Random Acts is a terrific opportunity for talented young people to engage with thetelevision industry, and at True North we’re delighted to be involved. We’re looking forward to working with a new generation of film makers”. Sarah Maxfield, Area Director North, Arts Council England said: “I am very pleased that Tyneside Cinema is taking on the role of Random Acts Network Centre in the North. The focus on young diverse new talent and the opportunity to reach a national audience through the partnership with Channel 4 is exciting and I’m looking forward to seeing the films as the work progresses.”