Prime Highlights
- Screen Cornwall has launched a new £2.5 million investment fund to boost film and high-end TV production in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly region.
- The initiative aims to bring more productions to the area, create opportunities for local talent, and strengthen Cornwall’s growing screen industry.
Key Facts
- The fund is backed by £1.25 million from Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Fund and matched by private investors.
- Screen Cornwall reported a record £16.2 million in production spend in 2023/24, showing significant growth in the region’s film and TV sector.
Background:
Screen Cornwall has unveiled the Equity Production Investment (SCEPI), a new £2.5 million fund designed to strengthen the growth of film and high-end television production across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Supported by Cornwall Council and private investors, the initiative aims to build on the region’s increasing reputation as a thriving hub for screen production and creative talent.
Half of the total investment, £1.25 million, comes from Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Fund through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the remaining amount matched by private investors. The scheme is open to UK production companies developing narrative feature films, scripted drama, or comedy for television or streaming platforms. To receive funding, projects must bring clear economic benefits to the area and show strong creative links to Cornwall.
Screen Cornwall, set up in 2019, has been important in growing the region’s film and TV industry. Its latest report shows a record £16.2 million spent on productions in 2023/24. The agency is also creating training programmes for new talent and experienced crew to fill skills gaps and support long-term industry development. Cornwall is also benefiting from support through the BFI Places Fund, which targets areas showing rising production activity.
The region has already hosted a number of acclaimed productions, including Mark Jenkin’s features Bait, Enys Men, and Rose of Nevada, as well as the films Fisherman’s Friends and the television series Doc Martin, Playing Nice, and Beyond Paradise.
To oversee the new investment fund, Nada Cirjanic has been appointed as Investment Manager. She joins with extensive experience across UK film finance, development, and international sales with organisations such as Film4, Protagonist Pictures, and Granada Media. Cirjanic will work with Screen Cornwall Managing Director Laura Giles and an industry Investment Committee to review and approve projects for support.
With strong financial backing and local leadership, the scheme aims to bring more productions to Cornwall, create opportunities for local talent, and strengthen the region’s position as a leading film and TV destination in the UK.
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