In the first major tie-up of its kind between a UK media company and a Chinese fund backed by private and government investment, Ingenious, the London-based backer of last season’s Oscar contenders Brooklyn and Carol, as well global blockbusters Avatar and Life of Pi, has formed a joint venture with Hejing to produce and co-finance a slate of independent films in a deal worth $200 million.

This initial venture marks the first step in what Ingenious and Hejing hope will be a long running partnership between the two parties.

The deal comes just two years after a landmark UK-China co-production treaty was signed by Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey and SARFT’s (State Administration of Radio, Film & Television) Vice Minister, Tong Gang.

Ingenious has developed a reputation as a leading player in the global film and television industry over the last 18 years.

The global market for entertainment content is experiencing an exciting period of change – from the seismic shifts in individual consumption patterns to the unprecedented growth in China. Any long-term global growth strategy has to involve an alignment with the right kind of partners, and we couldn’t be more delighted to be working alongside Hejing to continue to bring high-quality entertainment to global audiences.

Neil Forster

CEO at Ingenious

As a leading culture company under the SARFT system (Chinese state administration for radio, film and TV production), Hejing has played a very important role in saving traditional Chinese culture by editing and republishing some of the most distinguished Chinese books from ancient times.  Now that we have collected and have ownership of such important Chinese stories and their associated rights, it’s time to go international and show the world the charm of Chinese content and Chinese story-telling.

We’re so honoured to launch this programme of internationalisation by partnering with Ingenious, a wonderful film company with an unbelievable track record. I truly believe we can co-develop some great western and eastern film and TV projects together.

Zhang Aiyi

CEO of Hejing Culture

The UK film industry is one of our greatest success stories, powered by the huge wealth of creative talent that exists in the UK, both on and off screen. It’s fantastic to see collaborations such as this come about as a result of the landmark UK-China co-production treaty.

Ed Vaizey

UK Minister of Culture

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Ingenious Estate Planning (IEP), the discretionary fund service managed by Ingenious has, through its investee company Ingenious Renewables Energy Enterprises Limited (IREEL), closed an acquisition of two ground mounted solar PV plants in Derbyshire.  The plants have a total combined capacity of c. 8MW and were acquired from Solarig Italia Development s.r.l, the Spanish EPC contractor (Solarig).

This transaction is the first part of the planned acquisition of a wider portfolio from Solarig which is expected to be completed before the end of the current subsidy scheme.  The existing plants will benefit from 1.3 ROCs (Renewable Obligation Certificates) as they were connected before the end of March 2016.  The smaller plant, a 3MW installation, is located in Yeldersley, Derbyshire while the other 4.8MW project is nearby in Alfreton.  Both plants are equipped with tier-one Talesun Solar panels and Power Electronics inverters.

The two plants are expected to produce in excess of 7,700 MWh of green electricity per year; enough to power some 2,000 houses with a Co2 saving of more than 4,300 kg per year.

A third plant, also located in Derbyshire, is proposed to be acquired from Solarig by IREEL with a total installed capacity of 4.9MW is currently under construction and is proposed to be connected by August 2016 under the 1.2 ROCs scheme.

IREEL are also in discussions with Solarig in relation to the proposed acquisition of a further 4 ground mounted solar PV plants in the UK which are expected to be constructed and acquired before March 2017.  If these transactions proceed, this will bring the total ground mounted solar PV portfolio invested in by IEP to around 40MW in size.

SgurrEnergy assisted as technical advisor while Berwin Leighton Paisner acted as legal advisor for IREEL, with Addleshaw Goddard having acted as legal counsel for Solarig.

We are delighted that Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell has won two Baftas at this year’s Television Craft Awards. The period drama, backed by Ingenious Broadcasting, took home trophies for Special, Visual & Graphic Effects and Production Design at the London ceremony on Sunday evening. 

The debut novel by British writer Susanna Clarke depicts an alternative history in which magic is widely acknowledged, but rarely practised. The series, which focuses on magician Mr Norrell (Eddie Marsan) and his apprentice Jonathan Strange (Bertie Carvel), investigates the nature of ‘Englishness’ and the boundaries between reason and unreason. 

The programme, which aired on BBC One in 2015, also received two further Bafta nominations as well as high praise from critics across the globe. 

Ingenious is pleased to have been involved in the production of Marcella, written by internationally renowned screenwriter and novelist Hans Rosenfeldt starring Anna Friel in the lead role.

Marcella follows a former fast-track Metropolitan Police detective, played by Anna Friel. She returns to the murder squad after 11 years, following a traumatic divorce, to find a notorious killer.

The new series also stars, Laura Carmichael, Nicholas Pinnock and Sinead Cusack.

Marcella was produced with the support of Ingenious Broadcasting. The 8 part series will air on Monday 4 April at 9pm.

We are delighted that Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell has won two Baftas at this year’s Television Craft Awards. The period drama, backed by Ingenious Broadcasting, took home trophies for Special, Visual & Graphic Effects and Production Design at the London ceremony on Sunday evening. 

The debut novel by British writer Susanna Clarke depicts an alternative history in which magic is widely acknowledged, but rarely practised. The series, which focuses on magician Mr Norrell (Eddie Marsan) and his apprentice Jonathan Strange (Bertie Carvel), investigates the nature of ‘Englishness’ and the boundaries between reason and unreason. 

The programme, which aired on BBC One in 2015, also received two further Bafta nominations as well as high praise from critics across the globe. 

Ingenious Renewable Energy Enterprises Limited, has purchased the development rights to construct an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant on land at Fairfields Farm, near Colchester.

The rights to develop the plant were acquired from Qila Energy LLP and the project consists of an AD plant that will digest approximately 30,000 tonnes of organic material each year. This will produce circa 3.0m cubic meters of natural gas per annum which will be fed into the local gas distribution network for onward consumption by local industry and households.

The gas-to-grid AD plant is expected to be operational in 2016 with predictable, index linked revenue streams which will include FITs and RHI rates.

Imran Sheikh led the deal for Ingenious.

We are absolutely delighted that Brooklyn, backed by our Shelley Media fund, has won the coveted Outstanding British Film award at last night’s BAFTAs. The film won the category competing against Amy, 45 Years, The Danish Girl, The Lobster and Ex Machina. The award was presented by Idris Elba and Kate Winslet.

Set in nineteen-fifties Ireland and New York, Brooklyn tells the story of young Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), an Irish girl who, lured by the promise of the USA, leaves behind her family to start a new life in New York. The film was adapted by Nick Hornby from the 2009 award-winning novel by Colm Tóibín. Speaking at last night’s ceremony, Hornby said that getting Brooklyn to the big screen was not easy:

‘This film was really, really hard to put together… it took five years to get to production because no one would fund us. You have to sort of pinch yourself really to think that it’s made it all the way through to this.’

Brooklyn has also been nominated for best picture in this year’s Oscars.

The Broadcast Awards took place this week and we are delighted that three productions backed by Ingenious have been recognised. Tasked with rewarding the UK’s most successful television content, creators and channels, the prestigious awards ceremony is one of the most hotly anticipated events in the television sector and is attended by British television’s most influential people, who come together to celebrate the best of the industry.

Dr Foster, backed by the Ingenious Estate Planning service, won best drama series, with Clangers and So Awkward (both backed by Ingenious Broadcasting) winning best pre-school programme and best children’s programme. Judged by some of the industry’s biggest names, the awards cover key genres and reward creativity, quality and originality.

We are delighted to announce that Brooklyn, backed by our Shelley Media Fund, has been named film of the year at the London Evening Standard British Film Awards this week.

Set in fifties Ireland and New York, Brooklyn tells the story of young Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), an Irish girl who, lured by the promise of the USA, leaves behind her family to start a new life in New York.

The awards were hosted by TV presenter and comedian Simon Amstell and took place at the BBC’s former Television Centre in London.

This award is the latest in a number of accolades for Brooklyn: Ronan has already won best actress at the British Independent Film Awards. The film is also nominated for an impressive six awards at this weekend’s BAFTAs as well as an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.

Ingenious is pleased to announce that Doctor Foster, produced with the support of Ingenious Estate Planning, has won two awards, including new drama, at the National Television Awards.

The five part series aired in September last year to much critical acclaim. Suranne Jones also won the drama performance award for her role as the titular character.

The awards are unique in that they are decided by public vote rather than industry experts.