ITV's Nations & Regions Production Fund offers an annual INDEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT FUND (IDF) which makes development money available to independents out of London who are also new producers for the ITV Network. The IDF makes cash grants available to small to medium sized independents who have a proven track record in production for other UK terrestrial and digital broadcasters. The successful independent companies will be able to demonstrate specialist skills and a growing track record in the genres of drama, comedy and factual programmes which represent the three key areas the IDF seeks to promote.
Applications for the 2008 IDF CLOSED on the 16th May. Once again this initiative has proven very popular & attracted some high quality submissions, so a big thank you to all those who took the time to apply. The shortlisted companies will be informed by the end of June.
Shortlisted companies will be invited to submit further project details before being invited for interview. We anticipate around four businesses will be successful in gaining funds from this scheme in 2008. ITV will be seeking a first look at projects funded by the IDF in return for its investment.
Should you have any further queries regarding the IDF initiative or any other NRPF schemes please contact info@itvrpf.com
In 2006, the NRPF launched new training and development initiatives which are aimed at developing the production sector in the nations and regions as well as providing a vehicle to draw in new talent. The major driver of the schemes is to introduce new independent suppliers to ITV which will help us to expand our out of London commissioning base. The schemes are open variously to independent and in house producers as well as talented screenwriters.
They are:
THE NRPF EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SCHEME - A blue chip initiative launched in 2006 and aimed at established execs who have a strong track record working for digital or terrestrial broadcasters other than ITV. Kicking off in October 2006, the 13 successful candidates attended masterclasses across a nine-month period at Network Centre from ITV's senior commissioning, consumer and commercial teams to experience the needs of the channel "in the round".
The current group of 14 candidates from the 2007 scheme, are currently following the same tried and trusted formula which has proved so valuable to the others who have gone before.
TAPS NATIONS AND REGIONS SCREENWRITERS INITIATIVE - Aimed at new screenwriters with an ambition to write for ITV's soaps. Screenwriters have been selected to attend a series of workshops at ITV Yorkshire and ITV Wales and the opportunity to shadowing work on Emmerdale and mentoring from its executive producer Keith Richardson. We anticipate this initiative will return in April 2008. Please visit the TAPS website for more information www.tapsnet.org.