Young Audiences Content Fund

Animation UK Calls for Reversal of Abolishment of Young Audiences Content Fund
Following the UK government’s recent decision to abolish the Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), Animation UK has released a statement expressing their disappointment and pleading with the government to reverse their decision.

The YACF was launched as a pilot scheme and ran for three years, bringing huge benefits for children’s content creators in the UK. The scheme enabled young people across the UK to experience original programming on free-to-access, regulated platforms, providing entertainment, education and inspiration.

The fund has been vital in supporting small and independent producers throughout the UK, adding diverse voices, innovative creativity, and new forms of entertainment to impact young people. The evidence suggests that in the few years it has been running, the YACF has demonstrated great success in enabling new creative voices to be showcased in the children’s media arena.

In total, the fund supported 144 development projects, many of which have converted to broadcast commissions already, and 55 productions, with several already scooping up awards and being distributed globally.

In light of the government’s decision, a growing number of organisations and individuals have shared their concerns, condemning the removal of the YACF and the impact it will have on the future of UK children’s media productions.

The Animation UK Council are now urgently calling for a review of Children’s Content Investment Models, with members including Kate O’Connor, Executive Chair of Animation UK, Oli Hyatt MBE, Managing Director for BlueZoo, and Kerry Lock, Finance Director for Aardman Animation.

Funding schemes such as the Young Audience Content Fund are an important lifeline to support new, independent producers in the UK to share their creativity, passion, and vision with young people, not only providing new ideas and ways of thinking, but inspiring the next generation to learn, develop and thrive whilst enjoying original and diverse forms of children’s entertainment. Green Bean Studios, along with the production community across the UK, will be watching closely to see what unfolds as pressure grows on the government to review Children’s Content Investment Models.

Do you think it’s important for UK producers to have access to funding? Perhaps you’re an individual within the production community and have first-hand experience of these issues? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Connect with us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and let’s carry on the conversation.