Indielab 2023 TV Accelerator Programme Cohort Revealed

This year’s INDIELAB’s TV Accelerator programme kicked-off to a roaring start with a brand new 2023 cohort of sixteen independent production companies.

This year’s TV Accelerator cohort of indies comprises; 14th Floor Productions, Arkid Media, Chwarel TV, Daddy’s Superyacht Productions, Dare Pictures, Doc Hearts Ltd, Hill 5.14 Media, Luti Media, Mead Kerr, Neopolitan, Postcard Productions, Renaissance Studio, Shadowhouse Films, Specky Productions, Strong Film & Television and Vibrant TV. 

Now in its eighth year, INDIELAB’s TV Accelerator has helped the growth of over 120 independent production companies, enabling them to fast-track their businesses and realise their potential.  Our 2023 TV Accelerator cohort comes from across Wales, Scotland and England, and are not only poised for growth but reflect the diversity - in terms of gender, ethnicity, accessibility, and background - that Indielab champions in the sector. This year, Indielab is delighted to welcome bursary places for the TV Accelerator programme generously provided by its partners Creative Scotland (3), Creative Wales (2) and Sony Pictures TV (3) for regional or diverse indies meeting the relevant criteria.

Richard Parsons, Chief Operating Officer at Sony Pictures Television comments “Sony Pictures Television is committed to supporting initiatives which make a direct and meaningful impact on our industry and create a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are delighted to be able to provide bursary places for Hill 5.14, Renaissance Studios, and Dare Pictures and support them on their growth journey.”

This year’s TV Accelerator cohort produces a broad range of content including scripted, unscripted, feature docs, current affairs, music, specialist factual, kids, comedy and primetime entertainment formats. Significantly, some of the participants prioritise unheard and under-represented voices, both on and off-screen, while some focus on creating regional and purpose-driven content.

Gerwyn Evans, Deputy Director, Creative Wales, said: “Creative Wales is committed to supporting ambition and talent in Wales, and we’re delighted to be a partner of Indielab again this year to provide bursaries for two independent Welsh companies. We want our support to boost indie production companies, helping them to reach their huge potential and creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to break into the industry and create excellent content.”

Louise Acheson, Head of Business & Market Development at Creative Scotland said: “It is fantastic to be able to support three bursary places on the Indielab TV Accelerator, providing an invaluable opportunity for three exciting Scottish production companies (14th Floor, Specky Productions and Mead Kerr) to super charge their skills, connections and opportunities for growth.”

Participants will receive a range of modules including in-depth briefings from top industry leaders, bespoke masterclasses, and seminars in the critical areas needed to succeed in today's global television market. Additionally, the cohort will be able to access practical knowledge from a network of experts chosen to help navigate sector specific issues and challenges, from HR to rights agreements.

The 2023 programme will run until the end of June and will be delivered through a mix of virtual and in-person bespoke masterclasses and seminars from leading industry experts including; Tim Hincks, (Expectation), Henrietta Colvin (Sid Gentle), Kenton Allen (Big Talk), Karen Smith (Tuesday’s Child) and Narinder Minhas (Cardiff Productions) alongside practical professional advice from Nyman Libson Paul and Harbottle & Lewis LLP.

Victoria Powell, founder and CEO of Indielab, comments: “I am thrilled that our flagship UK TV Accelerator continues to attract such a wide range of applicants, we’re especially pleased that so many have already put themselves on a culturally forward-thinking path that will help the UK’s production ecosystem broaden and evolve. We now look forward to helping them hone their visions and set them on a supercharged growth journey.

“Our acclaimed accelerator programme expands and adapts to stay current with industry trends and challenges and identify opportunities for growth. We cover an enormous breadth of knowledge, not just the technical and creative aspects of running an indie but also the importance of inclusive leadership and positive, sustainable business cultures, and crucially, how these impact productivity and success. Each module is focused on providing indies with the knowledge, skills and connections needed to grow a successful and resilient production business, and hopefully they’ll enjoy the ride too.”

The BBC remains a core funder of Indielab as part of its long-term commitment to the growth of small companies across the UK, through its Small Indie Fund and wider commissioning strategy. Channel 4 continues to support the programme too, this year also contributing funding to ensure that the Accelerator is as open and accessible as possible. The 2023 TV Accelerator benefits from three bursary schemes: the first, a diversity scheme sponsored by Sony Pictures Television for three indies run by founders from diverse backgrounds; Indielab also welcomes three bursaries from Creative Scotland for Scottish independent production companies; and two bursaries for Welsh companies funded by Creative Wales. Additional partners and supporters are global distributor Banijay Rights, law firm Harbottle & Lewis LLP, which provides a free legal helpdesk and Nyman Libson Paul LLP which provides financial, tax and commercial advice.