Entertainment Partners and Netflix have each pledged £250k ($308k) to form a new £500k ($616k) Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB) Talent Development Fund, that will support the development and progression of film and high-end TV production talent across the UK.
Announced last night at the Guild’s inaugural Talent Showcase event in Central London, the new PGGB Talent Development Fund will invest in specialist training for below-the-line professionals working in roles represented by its members, including production accountants, production managers, line producers and assistant directors, all of which are in high demand in the UK’s thriving production climate.
Lyndsay Duthie, PGGB CEO says: “We are delighted to announce the new PGGB Talent Development Fund. With somewhere in the region of 20,000 extra crew needed by 2025, this investment comes at a pivotal time. This new Fund will help upskill future production talent – we thank Entertainment Partners and Netflix for pledging their incredible support. This will make a difference, add value and create a real legacy.”
“Entertainment Partners is pleased to partner with The Production Guild of Great Britain and Netflix to launch the Talent Development Fund,” says Mark Goldstein, President and CEO of Entertainment Partners. “The Fund will immediately help build a more inclusive industry while providing the qualified, trained crew that is critically needed to support the explosion of film and high end television production in the British market. We look forward to welcoming the next generation of production talent in Great Britain.”
Alison Small, Netflix Grow Creative UK Manager, said: “We’re thrilled to support the new PGGB Talent Development Fund and are deeply committed to ensuring the UK’s film and TV industry continues to thrive. Nurturing future production talent, particularly in these sought-after roles, not only helps bridge the skills gap and improve diversity, but builds on our long-term ambition to be the studio that provides the most meaningful training opportunities in the UK.”
More than 250 industry figureheads, newcomers, students, educators and skills bodies gathered at The Savoy Hotel last night for PGGB’s first Talent Showcase, presented in association with Disney Content Studios, supported by Entertainment Partners.