Made in Wales initiative backs bold new ideas celebrating Welsh creativity
FOUR Wales-based production companies have been awarded development funding as part of the Made in Wales: Factual Entertainment project, a new initiative led by BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Network and Creative Wales.
The scheme, launched at the Wales Media Summit last year, was created to support the development of a major new factual entertainment series that showcases Welsh creativity while appealing to audiences across the UK.
Production companies with a substantive base in Wales were invited to pitch bold, original ideas for returnable formats designed to deliver high-impact, mainstream entertainment. Following a competitive selection process, Boom, Curve Media, South Shore and Tŷ’r Ddraig were successful in securing funding.
Each company will receive £10,000 to develop their ideas further, with work set to begin in the coming weeks. The total £40,000 funding package is being jointly provided by BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Network and the Welsh Government through Creative Wales.
Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning at BBC Cymru Wales, said the quality and ambition of submissions had been exceptionally high.
“We were really impressed by the variety and volume of the submissions we received – companies really responded to our call for ideas for an ambitious, returnable format that surprises, unites and captivates.
“We’re excited to be working with the four successful companies and look forward to seeing how their ideas develop.”
Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning for Factual Entertainment and Events, said the project aimed to deliver a major new UK-wide series:
“Made in Wales is a collaboration to find a major new factual entertainment series that will harness the best of Welsh creativity and resonate across the UK. We are really looking forward to working with brilliant Welsh talent to come up with the next big thing.”
Joedi Langley, Interim Head of Creative Wales, said the funding reflects a wider commitment to supporting Wales’ screen industries:
“This announcement follows a recently updated Memorandum of Understanding between Creative Wales and the BBC, strengthening our joint commitment to supporting Wales’ vibrant, diverse and world-class screen sector.
“This new development funding will create fresh opportunities for Welsh production companies to develop exciting, original factual content. Congratulations to the successful companies – we look forward to seeing what comes next.”
The Made in Wales project forms part of ongoing efforts to grow Wales’ creative economy and strengthen the national television production sector through investment, collaboration and talent development.
