Our Initiatives

Our Production, Trade and Investment department provides a wide range of support to companies and individuals across our sectors - the TV, film, radio, digital and games industries.

Use this list to find out more about our current initiatives.

ALCHEMY
Alchemy is a multi-platform residential workshop, designed to foster collaborations between traditional and digital media companies in order for them to succeed in 360 commissioning. Supported by Vision and Media, together with the NWDA, 16 companies - eight from broadcast television; eight from the interactive, games and the mobile sector - are given access to high level advisors and commissioners, working together to effectively compete for new business in the multi-platform world.
Closed for Applications
BBC INNOVATIONS LABS
The Innovation Labs are a series of creative workshops which last five days – and which culminate in indies being able to pitch directly to the broadcaster’s commissioners – who will then give an instant answer, and development money on the table.
Closed for Applications
DIGITAL DEPARTURES
Digital Departures will create three innovative feature films in Liverpool, due to premiere in the city during the 2008 Capital of Culture celebrations, and each with a fully-funded budget of £250,000.
Closed for Applications
DIGITAL SHORTS
The Digital Shorts scheme is part of a national, UK Film Council initiative to unearth budding feature filmmakers. The best projects, a mix of new and existing filmmakers, are shortlisted and candidates interviewed. Successful filmmakers may have already produced a Virgin Short, although this is not necessarily essential. However, Vision and Media is looking for filmmakers with a new approach to genre and storytelling; from documentary, to drama or animation.
Closed for Applications
MEDIABOX
Mediabox is continuing the Mid and Big Mediabox grants to make and distribute youth-led media projects that express young people's ideas and views in a creative way, using their preferred media platform.
Closed for Applications
VIRGIN SHORTS
Virgin Shorts 2008 is a short film scheme for filmmakers who have not received short film funding from Northwest Vision and Media previously. All applicants must, however, have previously made their own short film, perhaps at school, college or even on a mobile phone.
Closed for Applications