Channel 4’s Artistic Fairness and Scripted Commissioning groups introduced a renewed strategic deal with driving numerous illustration throughout Drama and Comedy content material.
The plan combines focused funding with sustained improvement and networking alternatives, designed to open pathways for each on-and off-screen expertise from ethnically numerous backgrounds.
On the coronary heart of the technique is the emphasis on constructing equitable entry to the business guaranteeing numerous voices are empowered to form the way forward for British storytelling.
Key Parts of the Technique
- Artistic Fairness Drama IP Fund – the primary of its form within the UK, enabling ethnically diverse-led indies to choice high-value IP for tv.
- Black Girls in Scripted x Channel 4 Brief Movie Showcase – that includes movies by Black girls and non-binary creators, celebrating innovation in scripted storytelling.
- Artistic Fairness Labs – a collection of improvement platforms to empower creators throughout the Nations and Areas:
- Improvement & Empowerment Lab with LEAP
- ESEA Comedy Lab with EAST
- Creator Labs with South Asian Creatives
Growing Funding into Ethnically Various-led Indies
The Artistic Fairness Drama IP Fund, in collaboration with 4Skills and Channel 4 Drama, is the primary of its form within the UK, designed to assist ethnically diverse-led indies safe and develop IP. The fund will present assist to choice and safe rights to IP (eg. books, performs, net collection) for initiatives that align with Channel 4’s Quick Ahead technique and mirror numerous, genuine voices. It has been developed with enter from the Black Indie Group, and in recognition of this, Channel 4 will allocate at the very least 50% of the fund’s first-year funding to Black-led Indies. Submissions to the Artistic Fairness Drama IP Fund will open in January 2026. Extra data is accessible right here: https://www.channel4.com/4producers/commissioning-briefs/creative-equity-drama-ip-fund
This sits alongside the long-running Channel 4 and WPP Media Movement Leisure Various Indies Fund, which over the previous 4 years has commissioned greater than 80 hours of tv throughout nearly each style. From landmark initiatives just like the upcoming Mandela collection, to youth-skewing hits akin to In Love and Poisonous, and modern digital drama like Beth, the fund has persistently opened area for brand new views on display, guaranteeing ethnically diverse-led corporations can compete extra successfully with established gamers.
For 2025, a brand new temporary is dwell underneath the Channel 4 and Movement Leisure Various Indies Fund particularly for digital drama and comedy-drama pilots. C4 Digital is on the lookout for distinctive, immediately charming short-form concepts with the potential to chop via.
The deadline for submissions is Friday 24 October. Extra data and particulars of how one can apply might be discovered right here: Channel 4 and Movement Leisure Various Indies Fund: Artistic Temporary 2025.
Constructing Networks for Sustainable Change
Channel 4 can also be investing in areas the place creators can join, collaborate, and develop their careers:
Black Girls in Scripted x Channel 4 Brief Movie Showcase – Channel 4 are internet hosting the Black Girls in Scripted x Channel 4 Brief Movie Showcase later this month. The competition will current a curated programme of labor by Black girls and non-binary filmmakers to interact with groundbreaking tales and have fun pioneering voices in scripted movie. This showcase will embrace movies directed by Nana Duncan, Elizabeth Smith, Tracey Lopes, Dalila McFarlane-Martin, Naomi Soneye-Thomas, Savannah Ayoade-Greaves, Aliyah Harfoot, and Nenda Neururer.
Artistic Fairness Labs:
Improvement & Empowerment Lab: Bristol – Constructing on the success of the inaugural London Lab, Channel 4 will companion once more with LEAP to increase the Improvement & Empowerment Lab’s attain to the Nations and Areas, starting with Bristol on twenty ninth –thirtieth October. This two-day programme will convene Black writers, administrators, and producers working in scripted content material for a collection of intensive workshops, collaborative workout routines, abilities improvement classes and a night networking occasion. To take part, please apply right here: Leap x Channel 4 Improvement & Empowerment Labs Bristol & Wales Version – Software Type
ESEA Comedy Lab with EAST– In collaboration with the EAST artistic community, Channel 4 will ship a Comedy-focused Improvement Lab devoted to supporting British East and Southeast Asian writers. The programme will present focused artistic assist and direct business entry to assist members refine their craft, broaden their skilled networks, and open new profession pathways. Extra data to comply with on Channel 4 Artistic Fairness LinkedIn.
Creator Labs with South Asian Creatives – Channel 4 are additionally launching Creator Labs in partnership with South Asian Creatives. These Labs will deal with mid- to senior-level South Asian scripted expertise, providing structured assist to advance initiatives, strengthen skilled networks and construct visibility throughout the wider business. Extra data to comply with on Channel 4 Artistic Fairness LinkedIn.
A Lengthy-Time period Dedication
Collectively, these measures type a cohesive technique that positions Channel 4 as a catalyst for lasting change within the artistic industries, championing unheard voices and embedding inclusivity on the coronary heart of UK Drama and Comedy.
Ian Katz, Chief Content material Officer at Channel 4, stated: “Nice storytelling thrives on new views and this collaboration between Channel 4’s Artistic Fairness and Scripted groups, alongside 4Skills, reiterates our unwavering dedication to championing ethnically numerous expertise and indies, and nurturing groundbreaking concepts. We consider this can strengthen the broader artistic neighborhood by empowering expertise and serving to indies overcome obstacles.“
Kolton Lee, Chair of the Black Indies Group, added: “The Artistic Fairness Drama IP Fund is a vital collaboration between Channel 4 and BIG. It’s a vital step forwards in addressing the very particular, long-standing obstacles which have confronted the Black British artistic neighborhood.”
The initiatives are a part of Channel 4’s dedication to make sure we assist expertise improvement and artistic careers throughout the UK, whereas constructing long-term resilience throughout the manufacturing sector.