Member Article

Game of Thrones film-maker wins funding to market Newcastle operations

A Newcastle-based film-maker who has worked on the Game of Thrones TV series and major feature films has secured £7k funding to market her company.

Malta-born Maria Caruana Galizia, who runs Candle and Bell Limited from Clavering House in the centre of Newcastle, will use the loan from Gateshead-based Transmit Start-Ups to market her film, animation and video production services.

Maria said: “I shopped around to find the best place to get business support and decided Transmit Start-Ups was ideal for me as the directors are all so experienced in the creative industries.

“They are really pro-active with me. I know they have been in some of the situations I need help with and always nudge me in the right direction.”

Maria’s studied Digital Filmmaking at the SAE Institute in Glasgow and worked as an assistant film editor on Scottish detective drama Taggart.

Her big break came with work on the €50 million film Agora, by Academy Award winning director, Alejandro Amenabar - starring Rachel Weisz.

She lated worked as digital imaging technician on the hit show Game of Thrones, which was also filmed in Malta.

Candle and Bell has recently produced its first pop video for the UK rapper Example

Damian Baetens, director and mentor, Transmit Start-Ups said: “Maria is set for great success as she has all the essential skills you need to be self-employed.

“She has drive and determination as well as first class creativity and professionalism. We are delighted to have been able to help her achieve her dream of running her own business.”

Maria now represents the 250th client for Transmit Start-Ups who have now provided £1.5 million in loans to companies since setting up just under a year ago.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .