• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Thursday February 1 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Young film-makers offered a career boost with Screenology and South West Investment Fund

Film-making university Screenology is set to grow thanks to funding from the South West Investment Fund.

Screenology, based at St Vincent’s Works, Bristol, has received a £95k smaller loan from SWIG Finance to support the expansion of its Creative Filmmaking (BA Hons) and Creative Practice MA courses.

Led by creative entrepreneur Tom Brereton Downs, Screenology was established in 2015 to give aspiring young film-makers the chance to earn a degree while working on the practical aspects of their craft. Graduates have gone on to work with big-name companies including Disney+ and Marvel Studios.

Screenology currently employs 22 members of staff, with eight new jobs to be created over the next 18 months.

The £200 million South West Investment Fund (SWIF) covers the entire South West region and provides loans from £25k to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million to help a range of small and medium-sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

Tom said: “The loan we’ve received through SWIG Finance is life-changing. As a ‘hands-on’ education institute, the pandemic severely disrupted business for us and without this lifeline of funding, growth would have been delayed until at least 2025.”

SWIG’s senior business manager, Nicola Parker, said: “Bristol is renowned for its creative industries; however creative entrepreneurs sometimes lack the commercial skills needed to succeed.

“This is why Screenology’s new Creative Practice MA course is so exciting – not only is it honing creative talent, but it’s also helping students develop their business acumen which will help them in the long term.”

Jody Tableporter, director UK and regional funds at the British Business Bank, said: “With support from the South West Investment Fund, Screenology was able to secure funding where not otherwise available.

“The business can now accelerate growth and deliver new courses, supporting the creative economy in the region and the next generation of filmmakers.”