DRG to fund Wildseed pilots

Web series Philip Human was picked up by US SVoD service Fullscreen

UK distributor DRG has invested in UK-based IP incubator Wildseed and will represent its content on the international market.

DRG, which is owned by Nice Entertainment Group and backed by Scandinavian broadcaster Modern Times Group, will provide funding for a new round of Wildseed pilots in the first quarter of 2017.

Wildseed was set up by BBC alumnus Jesse Cleverly and Aardman Animations exec Miles Bullough in 2013 to nurture new talent online.

The business is focused on finding scripted content and characters that appeal to millennial audiences, with comedy, genre fiction and kids aged 6-11 its key areas.

It makes initial investments of up to £10,000 (US$12,455) in an idea or creator with potential and then seeks to develop the project further, either by itself or by connecting with a partner.

Since opening its submissions portal in 2014, Wildseed has received more than 3,000 project proposals.

Completed projects so far have included Counterfeit Cat for Disney XD and Teletoon, the Bafta-winning animated short Good as Goaled/Lottie Bearshout and horror web series Philip Human, which has been picked up by US SVoD service Fullscreen.

“Our new relationship with Wildseed is ripping up the distributor rulebook. We are investing in creators with no mainstream experience and no access to market – who are amazingly talented and just need some seed investment to gain momentum,” said Richard Halliwell, DRG’s MD.

“This partnership with DRG is effectively allowing us to launch phase two of our business, and to reload the Wildseed incubator. Not only do we have extra investment but also DRG’s team of experts at our disposal, who will help us meet new buyers and platforms and share developments in the international marketplace,” said Bullough.