Indielab reveals 2021 cohort

Indie Lab’s 2021 cohort participate in a Zoom chat (click to enlarge)

Indielab, the accelerator scheme for UK-based independent producers, has revealed the production companies that will take part in its 2021 programme.

The 15 participants selected for the sixth edition of the business-growth programmes are the most diverse cohort to date in terms of gender, ethnicity, genre and geographical location of the founders and companies, according to Indielab.

They are: Big Little Fish Television, Black Camel Pictures, Blazing Griffin Pictures, ClearStory, Freedom Scripted Entertainment, Kailash Films, King of Sunshine Productions, Little Bird Films, Nuwave Pictures, Rare TV, Rooster TV, Strident Media, Triongl, Vox Pictures and Wall of Entertainment.

Founded in 2015 by producer Victoria Powell, Indielab provides early- and mid-stage production companies with a programme that enables them to hone their business vision and explore the growth opportunities specific to their businesses.

This year, the programme has been re-formatted to include some virtual events after a shift online due to the coronavirus pandemic, while the final Indie Showcase is planned to take place in person in September.

Supported by its long-term partners Channel 4 and the BBC, the programme will also see Wayne Garvie, president of Sony Pictures Television (SPT), making the keynote opening speech, with masterclasses elsewhere from 50-plus industry experts and consultants.

The cohort will benefit from three bursary schemes: a diversity scheme for three indies run by founders from diverse backgrounds, sponsored by SPT, and further bursaries for Welsh indie prodcos with support from Welsh government funding through Creative Wales and Scottish companies funded by Screen Scotland.

Powell, founder and CEO of Indielab, said: “The marked increase in applications we received this year demonstrates very clearly how much indies want to connect and supercharge their growth out of the slowdown brought about by Covid. The range, energy and diversity across this new cohort at perhaps one of the most challenging times the TV industry has ever experienced is testament to the strength of the sector.

“Our programmes are continuously evolving and innovating with targeted and timely support for indie founders, providing impactful and enduring takeaways for every participant through the Indielab Connect platform.”

Garvie added: ‘‘Indielab is a unique programme that brings together some of the most exciting independent creative businesses in the TV industry to learn and grow. It is essential that we support initiatives such as these that seek to include all voices and nurture UK indies. SPT’s commitment to the indie sector through this diversity bursary has never been more important.”