Create Central, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Creative UK launch a new creative screen content fund in the West Midlands targeted at the development of original creative ideas and IP (Intellectual Property) from West Midlands creative companies – the West Midlands IP Content Fund (WMIPCF).
Building on successful pilot projects previously run by Create Central with the BBC and Channel 4, the fund will be used to support a range of initiatives tailored to meet the needs of the local screen industries and support the development of original IP in the West Midlands across a range of narrative content, including film, TV and other screen content.
West Midlands IP Content Fund
Queen of Trucks from Acclaimed Content - a previous BBC3 commission
BBC3 invites doc pitches from West Midlands indies
BBC Three is inviting independent production companies based in the West Midlands to pitch ideas for a new Current Affairs documentary…
IP Content Fund
Big creative hits don't just emerge from nowhere. They need to be nurtured and supported, especially in their early-stage development.
We want to champion the region to set up a high-risk, high-reward investment fund designed specifically for the West Midlands' creative community. The idea is a Fund that would distribute small investments and grants enabling the most creative individuals, teams, and companies to develop IP in the region, allowing them to grow to become the next big global content or CreaTech innovation.
“We are calling on regional leaders to work with industry to get this fund up and running as soon as possible – we know we are losing out to other regions who have this kind of incentive – so let’s get this done so we can really start to fly. ”
Fresh Cops by Full Fat TV
Why in the West Midlands?
Diversity – The West Midlands boasts a working-age talent pool of more than 1.8 million people from a vast array of backgrounds. Our region has a young, diverse population with a world of stories that need to be told.
Heritage - from Shakespeare and Tolkien to Forza Horizon and Peaky Blinders, the West Midlands has a record of creating incredible IP and delivering world-defining products.
Behind the scenes on Deep Fake Neighbour Wars by Tiger Aspect
What we’ve done so far
Innovate:Create - A Create Central project powered by Innovation Engin3 – created a series of competitions for SMEs in the West Midlands creative content sector working closely with the low-carbon sector. Big brands like National Express and Uber issued a series of challenges that offered specific opportunities for local companies to participate in a competitive process to win a mix of mentoring and grant support to develop an idea into an audience-facing project or R&D pilot.
BBC Three/BBC England partnership - The West Midlands Voices initiative, led by the BBC in partnership with Create Central, gave local indies the opportunity to submit documentary ideas that reflect the life experiences of 13–24-year-olds. The project resulted in two start-up companies - Common Story and Acclaimed Content - winning first-time commissions from BBC Three and Birmingham-based Full Fat TV securing a 4-part series.
Three priority actions
Secure political and public sector support for a regional IP Content Fund - DONE
Identify partners to work with Create Central to establish the Fund - DONE
Secure investment for the Fund and work with partners to launch - DONE
West Midlands IP Content Fund was launched July 2024
Find out about our other missions
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Monetising Content
Making it easier to sell creative content. READ MORE…
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Future Media
Making the West Midlands the future of content creation. READ MORE…
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Games Sector
Finding new ways to support the West Midlands games sector. READ MORE…
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Sustainability
Making the West Midlands the home of sustainable content creation. READ MORE…