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May 14, 2022

Norton born Auf Wiedersehen Pet creator sets up £60,000 scholarship to help wannabe film makers on Teesside 'It is really important to be given encouragement to succeed in this industry' - Franc Roddam Get the latest news from Darlington direct to your inbox with our free email newsletter Something went wrong, please try again later.Invalid Email Subscribe We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Thank you for subscribing!We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice The Teesside born creator of much loved TV series Auf Wiedersehen Pet has set up a scholarship programme to support wannabe film makers on Teesside. Director, writer and producer Franc Roddam, who hails from Norton, is also known for iconic film Quadrophenia, as creator of worldwide television phenomenon Masterchef as well as the hit series following the fortunes of a gang of Geordie brickies. He has partnered with Teesside University to support students aiming to study film and television production for the launch of a £60,000 scholarship fund. Ten UK undergraduate scholarship for incoming students on the BA (Hons) Film & Television Production course will be created as part of the uni's wider Teesside Transformation Fund 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. "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," he said. “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 and Creative Industries, 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.” Auf Wiedersehen Pet in Teesside (Image: Teesside Live) Fans will know Franc’s films include K2, Aria, Lords of Discipline and War Party. As well as being known for Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Franc also produced formats for the 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. Masterchef has been shown in 150 countries worldwide. More info on the scholarship and how to apply is available here . READ NEXT: