Teesside talent set to shine in Texas

Teesside’s creative and digital industries are heading to one of the world’s biggest music and arts festivals in March to showcase the region’s talent.

Folk singer-songwriter Amelia Coburn and Nunthorpe’s Finn Forster will take the stage at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, as part of ‘The Great North’ delegation with other cities and regions across the North of England.

The collaboration, bringing together Tees Valley Combined Authority, Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and the North East Combined Authority, aims to showcase the North as a thriving hub of economic strength and creative innovation.

Teesside’s growing gaming and digital industries will also take centre stage, with a pop-up mini-cini showcasing Northern filmmaking and an Innovation Arcade featuring cutting-edge gaming tech from the region.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “To have Amelia – one of our brilliant artists of the year – and a talent in Finn flying the Teesside flag at a huge event like this is a proud moment. 

“We boast some of the best software and game-developers on the planet – and some of the world’s best locations.

“I hope this event helps the world sit up and take notice of just how much we can offer – and helps us on our path to creating a digital powerhouse the envy of the world.”

Since launching in 1987, SXSW has become a premier global event, bringing together industry leaders across technology, film, television, music, education and culture.

Alison Gwynn, chief executive of North East Screen, will also cross the Atlantic to showcase the region’s film-making potential, facilities and prowess.

She added: “We’re already seeing real impact from the growth in production in the past two years. 

“The North East Production Fund has invested £2.5 million in a number of scripted projects which is driving inward investment, increasing visibility of our region, and providing jobs for the world-class talented crew we have here in the North East.

“Going to SXSW with the northern collective is putting the North on the global map, and we’re saying, why not the North? 

“We’ve got world class locations, world class crew and world class businesses who can deliver global content.”

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