EM Media preparing second EMMI fund

EM Media, the Regional Screen Agency for the Midlands, is preparing a second investment fund to stimulate media development in the region.

The first EMMI fund, launched in 2006, invested in 65 film, game, TV and interactive projects – including Monumental’s Hunters’ World, Strawdog Studios’ Space Ark and Geon: Emotions, and Simple Lifeforms’ upcoming Facebook game Spell Souls.

The fund, which currently stands at £1.1m but will grow to £3.9m, has just received a £500,000 injection from the East Midlands Development Agency. The first investments will be announced in ‘early autumn’.

“EMDA’s support for the region’s media sector comes at a crucial time and will build upon the successful foundations already laid," said Debbie Williams, chief executive of EM Media.

"EM Media has an enviable track record of investing in projects that have had a marked impact economically as well as culturally. The East Midlands has earned an enviable reputation as the most significant film producing region in the UK without a major film studio, with 18 per cent of all British films being made here in 2008. Additionally we are making significant strides in developing the games, TV and interactive industries. We positively welcome EMDA’s support, which will contribute to realising our ambitions and those of the region’s talented, digital content workforce.“