Nativity and Peaky Blinders creators to join West Midlands film and TV taskforce - The Leamington Observer

Nativity and Peaky Blinders creators to join West Midlands film and TV taskforce

Leamington Editorial 4th Sep, 2019   0

NATIVITY films creator Debbie Isitt from Coventry and Peaky Blinders writer Steven Knight will join a host of stars to head up a new West Midlands film and TV taskforce.

The duo will join well-known figures from the TV, film and games industries in the hope the new group can ‘supercharge the West Midlands’ screen industry’.

The members will now be tasked with getting the new screen industry body up and running ahead of its official launch in October, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) chiefs say.

This includes creating a name and branding that will attract people from across the globe to come and create content in the West Midlands.




The body’s members will also aim to revolutionise the current screen industry, helping to drive investment, growth and thousands of new jobs.

It will be chaired by international industry heavyweight Ed Shedd and serve as a single point of contact for national and international film, TV and game makers.


West Midlands mayor said: “Having the likes of Steven Knight, Adil Ray and Debbie Isitt involved is a tremendous asset for us and indicative of the top talent ready to do their bit for our screen industry.

“We already have a strong industry with a string of success stories – not least Leamington Spa’s gaming cluster which employs 10 per cent of the UK gaming industry.

“However, the Channel 4 bid has taught us that there is a lot more to be done in order for the West Midlands to be truly recognised as a world class centre for creative content.

“By launching this screen industry body and harnessing the talent of the brightest and best people within the industry, I believe we will be able to make sure our region’s screen sector fulfils its enormous potential.”

Ed said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the response we have had for inaugural members, with nearly 50 screen professionals applying.

“It was a challenge to select the initial group from such a wealth of talent.

“However, I am pleased that the group we are announcing presents a really interesting mix of sectors, backgrounds and experience.

“I am hugely looking forward to working with them all in the months and years ahead.”

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