If you attended the recent Isle of Wight Creative Industries Conference or watched the live stream online, you will have heard the good news from Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, the Cabinet member for Economy, Regeneration, Culture and Leisure, about the plans to push the Island’s creative industries forward.
She announced that the Isle of Wight council’s regeneration officers are in the process of assembling a bid for skills funding from the British Film Institute (BFI), which she believes will be pivotal for the Island’s future.
Preparing for Medina Film Studios
Julie stressed the importance of this funding, particularly in light of the new Medina Film Studios set to open on the Isle of Wight next year. She explained that the Island’s workforce must be ready to meet the demands of this exciting new opportunity.
At last week’s Cabinet meeting she said,
“It’s a different industry that we’ve never had before, so we need to get ready for that.
“You’ve heard me talk about ‘match-fit for film’ several times, so a successful grant funding application will certainly be ‘a shot in the arm’.”
Julie expressed confidence in the groundwork already laid by the council and its partners, who have been preparing for this moment over recent months.
Stride:
Gavin Stride, Director of Creative Island, said,
“This is just another example of what could be possible for the Island to re-express itself as the dynamic, creative set of communities that we are.
“If successful then it allow us to nurture all those vital support roles to ensure film thrives on the Island.”
Importance of Government support
In her remarks, Julie also touched on recent developments in government policy. She referred to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, who recently announced new tax relief for independent filmmakers. This, she said, underscores the increasing value of skills in the creative industries.
The council has requested that a formal letter be sent to Lisa Nandy, outlining the exciting developments happening on the Island.
Julie said,
“We need all the support we can get, because this is a new industry and we really do need to pull on any lead we can to get this going as quickly as possible.”
Building a future for film on the Island
As the Medina Film Studios project moves closer to becoming a reality, the Isle of Wight’s focus on upskilling its residents will be crucial to ensuring the local workforce is ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that come with a burgeoning film industry.
This bid for skills funding marks a significant step in that direction, with hopes high for a successful application to the BFI.
