Celebrated filmmaker sets up scholarship to support aspiring creatives

An acclaimed film director, writer and producer is set to offer support to talented Teesside University students seeking to embark on careers in the creative industries.

Franc Roddam, best known for iconic film Quadrophenia and hugely successful television series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, is partnering with Teesside University to support students aiming to study film and television production.

A £60,000 scholarship fund will support ten UK undergraduate scholarships for incoming students on the BA (Hons) Film & Television Production course in the University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries.

The scholarships are part of the University’s wider Teesside Transformation Fund which strives to support and help students from all backgrounds to secure a place in higher education.

The first five ‘Franc Roddam Scholarships’ will be awarded to applicants starting their studies in the 2022/23 academic year, followed by five in 2023/24.

Franc, who was born and raised in Norton, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Teesside University in 2019.

He said: “During my time in Teesside I received a great deal of support, without which I would never have had the opportunities to study at the London Film School, join the BBC or work in Hollywood.

“It is really important to be given encouragement to succeed in this industry and it is a pleasure and a privilege to be able to help and support students from Teesside University who are just starting out on their creative careers.”

Laura Sillars, Dean of the University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries and Director of MIMA, said: “It is wonderful to be working with such a prominent figure in the film and television industry and we look forward to seeing first-hand how Franc’s support and expertise can help to inspire our next generation of creative students.

“Franc is a fabulous role model for any student seeking a career in film and television and we are delighted to be working so closely with him on this new scholarship.”

Along with classic movie Quadrophenia, Franc’s other films include K2, Aria, Lords of Discipline and War Party. As well as being known for Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Franc also produced formats for hugely successful dramas Making Out, and Harry.

He directed award-winning TV drama Dummy, which won the prestigious Prix Italia Drama Prize, and also directed the US mini-series Cleopatra, and Moby Dick, which was Grammy Nominated and won a Golden Globe.

Franc also created the worldwide television phenomenon, Masterchef, shown in 150 countries worldwide with around 65 locally-produced versions of the show.

The Franc Roddam Scholarships will be offered through Teesside University’s Teesside Transformation Fund, which aims to break down barriers and empower more individuals to access education, seize opportunities and to reach their full potential.

With an existing investment of £2million per year in scholarship support from the University itself, the ambition is to grow the fund with further support from alumni, foundations and corporate partners.

The University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries is industry connected and employment focused, supporting the journey of talented artists, designers, media producers, journalists, performers, musicians and curators at all stages in their careers.

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