Latest news with #HotHouse
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
New BBC film, Ride or Die, explores how faith, grief and the risk of fatality push a diverse cast of racers to the limit
Each May, around 100 motorcycle road racers from across the world make a sporting pilgrimage to Northern Ireland to take part in the iconic North West 200. To outsiders, racing on closed public roads at speeds in excess of 200mph might be hard to understand. For many of those who do it, it's an all-consuming passion – providing a sense of purpose, community and fulfilment. For some religious faith plays an important, but often hidden, role in the lives of many of those involved. But for others faith in themselves, an undying love for the sport, and a belief in plain good luck is what fuels them. Road racing is part of who they are. And it's something that informs how they think about the risks associated with a sport they love but which is often dangerous and sometimes fatal. A new BBC film, Ride Or Die, a DoubleBand Films production for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC One, explores how faith, grief and the risk of fatality push a diverse cast of racers to the limit in the weeks leading up to one of the world's fastest road races. Ride or Die features Lee Johnston, a five-time winner at the North West 200. The Northern Ireland racer, now living in Huddersfield, had a near fatal accident at the race in 2023. On a journey of recovery to compete in the 2024 race, he is in a race of his own to be ready. A trailblazer in the world of road racing, Maria Costello MBE, is one of only a handful of women in the sport. Having raced for 30 years, Maria explains that it was often in defiance of her mum's wishes that she raced. However she is now in a different place. Having recently lost her mum to cancer, Maria is determined to get back racing for the first time since her loss – noting that racing gives her something that she needs. The film, commissioned as part of the BBC's Hot House commissioning initiative with support from Northern Ireland Screen, gets behind the visors to find out where the riders find their strength, and rationale, to deal with the risks. Is it better to live a life doing what you dream of, even if it's so inherently dangerous? And what, do they believe, will keep them safe from harm while threading their way between walls and trees on country roads– faith in their ability or faith in religion? Those taking part are supported by family – who are there to help, count down the laps and to worry. The film hears how they watch from behind the barriers as their loved ones push the limits - some praying while hoping for their safe return. Others have had to look to their faith when the worst happens. The film hears the very personal journey of the family of Jamie Hodson from Wigan. Jamie was killed racing at the Ulster Grand Prix. His brother, Rob, recalls how he was involved in the accident while Jamie's parents tell how they both grew stronger in their faith afterwards. Kevin Keyes, from County Offaly in the Republic of Ireland is an accomplished circuit racer but is competing in the much more dangerous sport of road racing for the first time. With his family worried about his new venture, how will his beliefs and his own experiences of loss, and his family's strong faith, help him on his journey. Through the work of retired Presbyterian Minister Reverend John Kirkpatrick, the film also explores the relationship between some of those in road racing and the Christian faith. As a race chaplain for more than 30 years, Reverend Kirkpatrick has officiated at the funerals of several riders who have lost their lives at the races. He fosters a sense of community in the paddock while examining the conflict between the sanctity of life and a sport that involves great risk. Ride or Die is also part of the BBC's Faith and Hope season returning for 2025 with content across Network TV and Radio alongside bespoke programming on BBC Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Local Radio. Watch Ride or Die on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 22:40 on Wednesday 9th April KM2
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
BBC supports 50 Independent Companies to invest in TV & Radio Production across the UK
As part of the BBC's commitment to supporting the creative industries in all four nations and boosting production capabilities to deliver the most distinctive content for audiences, the BBC has today confirmed the independent production companies that will receive bespoke mentoring and over £1.7m in investment over the next year. In total, 50 indies will receive support across three dedicated schemes: the TV Small Indie Fund, the Hot House co-commissioning scheme and the BBC Radio & Music Indie Development Fund. All recipients of these funds receive strategic investment, mentors from the commissioning teams across TV and Radio, and a programme of introductions to wider BBC teams, to help them grow and develop their ideas. Launched in 2020, the TV Small Indie Fund supports the growth of small independent production companies from across the UK with turnovers below £10m across Drama, Comedy, Film, Entertainment, Factual, Daytime and Children's. Exceeding the original budget of £1m, this year 33 companies will be supported through the fund and receive a total of c £1.3m. The TV Small Indie Fund continues to focus support for companies based in the Nations & Regions with 76% of companies based outside of London, with 3 in both the West Midlands, and the North East. The 2025 cohort also sees the highest ever number of diverse-led producers – with 79% of companies having at least two individuals in specific leadership roles from one of the following under-represented groups: Black, Asian or minority ethnic, Disabled and/or Working class. First piloted in 2022, the Hot House co-commissioning scheme is a joint initiative between BBC Unscripted and BBC Northern Ireland with support from Northern Ireland Screen, aimed at growing network production capacity in the region. The initiative provides Northern Ireland indies with advice and support from the network and Northern Ireland commissioning teams, and slate development funding to help them compete for BBC network factual commissions and BBC NI/ BBC network co-commissions. Eight Northern Irish independent companies have now been chosen to receive £25k from the BBC, with the opportunity to apply for match funding from Northern Ireland Screen. The companies will focus their development work in three discrete Network genres – Documentaries, Factual Entertainment and Daytime & Early Peak. Now in its third year, BBC Radio's Indie Development Fund supports and champions indies who are based across the UK. This year for the first time, the 11 successful indies can work with commissioning teams across BBC Music or Speech, receiving support and insights from the entire audio division, not just one radio station. All the recipients of the Radio Indie Development Fund, worth £250k in total, are based outside of London and more than half (55%) are run by a diverse leadership team. In addition, in the context of challenges across the industry we will be providing a series of monthly online insight sessions aimed at all smaller producers. These will include business and editorial sessions accessible to everyone to engage with the BBC's strategy and resources. Details will be sent out via our usual channels. David Pembrey, Chief Operating Officer, BBC Content, said: 'In a global market which continues to see production consolidation, we remain committed to investing in new and smaller Independent businesses and the UK's creative industries. We want to ensure our audiences get to enjoy the very best homegrown storytelling, for which investment in the roots of production across the UK is vital.' Eddie Doyle, Head of Content Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland, said: 'The second phase of the Hot House scheme is now well under way with our network commissioning colleagues and Northern Ireland Screen and it's been fantastic to see the passion and ambition that Northern Ireland independents have brought to the table. That eight separate local companies are now moving forward and benefitting from the scheme is a great thing for them and the creative industries here in Northern Ireland.' Matimba Kabalika, Executive Producer, B-Side Production, said: 'The support of the Small Indie Fund has been invaluable to B-Side and we are excited to have received our first greenlight from the Drama commissioning team, a co-production with Mam-Tor, for Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson. Having Produced Caleb's debut short film Pray, with the support of BBC Film it is a full-circle moment and proof of the value of that the fund gives.' Anton Inwood, Founder & Creative Director, Acclaimed Content, said: "We are very excited to be joining BBC's Small Indie Fund cohort. This initiative has propelled so many upcoming indies on to great things after the fantastic support from the BBC. Acclaimed Content is next up." Companies selected for the 2025 TV Small Indie Fund: Northern Ireland Deadpan Nice one Blackthorn Wales Riot Time Red Seam Cardiff Productions Kailash Films Scotland barry crerar Scotland & NI Studio Something Flabbergast Rogan (Scotland base) English Regions Candle & Bell Limited - North East Northern Child – North East Schnoobert Productions Limited – North East Button Down – Yorkshire & The Humber ClockWork Films – Yorkshire & The Humber Public Dreams Ltd – Yorkshire & The Humber / London CosmoSquare - Yorkshire & The Humber Abbotvision Productions – North West, (Manchester Base) The Fold– North West Common Story – West Midlands Acclaimed Content – West Midland Rural Studios – West Midlands Chalk Productions – South East Slate Works – South East London 104 Films B-Side Production Juno Lunar Nico Them Ones Three Tables Productions Turnover Films Companies selected for the BBC Radio & Music Indie Development Fund: Scotland: Feral Inc Dabster Productions The Big Light Wales: Bengo Media Songbird Northern Ireland: Walk on Air Films England: Voxwave – West Midlands Peanut & Crumb – South East Silver Music Entertainment – East Candle & Bell Ltd – North East Zandland – North West Companies selected for the Hot House unscripted co-commissioning scheme in Northern Ireland: Daytime Alleycats TV Below the Radar Rare TV Documentaries B&C Films Blair Black Walk on Air Films Factual Entertainment Afro-Mic AlleycatsTV Stellify Media EDA
