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Behind the scenes with Newcastle-based filmmaker and video production entrepreneur Maria Galizia

Creative entrepreneur Maria Caruana Galizia launched Candle and Bell Limited, a video production company based in the heart of Newcastle city centre, in 2013.

Since the company’s inception Maria and her team have steadily grown their client base and now have big plans for 2015, with a number of projects already secured.

The firm create videos for global brands, such as producing a music video for UK rapper Example working with Sony Music, as well as local startups.

Recently, Maria wrapped on filming at the London Screenwriters Festival and is now filming the Humanities Festival for Northumbria University.

The experience and passion for film and the industry held by Maria herself is staggering, over the last ten years she has been relentless in pursuing a career based around her love for film.

At 18 Maria studied at the New York Film Academy before she later studied at the SAE institute in Glasgow. Following graduation she went to work for Scottish Television as an assistant film editor on Taggart, the station’s longest running and most popular show at the time.

Maria, who grew up in Malta, has also worked freelance on a number of projects. She worked with Oscar winner Alejandro Amenabar on his film Agora, filming behind the scenes interviews and featurettes. Moreover, she worked as Academy Award winning actor William Hurt’s personal assistant.

Before arriving in Newcastle in 2012 Maria also worked as a Digital Imaging Technician on HBO’s Game of Thrones and Sky’s Sinbad. Maria then worked as an assistant producer at Vita Nova Films where she learned how to develop and produce feature films.

Maria is first and foremost a filmmaker although she is well aware that her creativity must balance with bringing in business, as the work she does with other business (B2B) is paying for the creative side.

However, what is perhaps most impressive, is the work Maria does within the community. Hosting a monthly short film night at the Tyneside cinema Maria has established a reputation in the region for working with and encouraging filmmakers.

Maria told Bdaily: “I could have worked in other places and done other things but I fell in love with Newcastle.

“The region offers so much and my priority is to work with the region’s film makers to unlock this potential.

“The short film night, for one, has been a great success, I very much believe that it is important for filmmakers to simply make film and watch them alongside an audience!

‘You can do anything you want in the North East, you can film anything from the gritty, urban scenes to beautiful, sweeping landscapes. There’s no reason not to work here.“

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