Indielab has announced the 13 independent production companies selected for its Content Futures 2026 accelerator, following the programme’s launch in London.
The brand-new programme marks a major evolution of Indielab’s long-running support initiative to strengthen the UK sector and has been designed to reflect the new market environment.
The three-month programme brings together a cohort of established indie producers at a critical moment for the UK screen sector, supporting them to sharpen strategy, identify new commercial opportunities and make confident decisions in a structurally changing market.
The selected companies reflect the breadth of today’s production sector, working across scripted and non-scripted. The 2026 cohort includes:
14th Floor Productions, Beezr, Chalk Productions, Cwmni Da, Freedom Scripted, Happenstance Films, Hello Dolly, Raucous Pictures, Renaissance Studios, Saffron Cherry Productions, Telltale, Unified Productions and Vibrant Television.
Nearly half of the companies identify as diverse-led, reinforcing Indielab’s ongoing commitment to supporting under-represented voices and strengthening the diversity of the UK production landscape.
Seven of the selected companies are Indielab alumni, reflecting the demand for strategic recalibration among experienced businesses and the relevance of the new programme to companies navigating current and future market realities.
Content Futures 2026 is supported by a consortium of industry partners, including Screen Scotland, who provides bursary places for three Scotland-based companies on the programme, BBC, Channel 4, and content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment.
Content Futures 2026 represents a clear evolution of Indielab’s long-running accelerator model, shifting from growth-focused support towards strategic repositioning and decision-making.
Across three blocks running through to June, founders and senior leadership teams will work closely with over 50 industry experts through a series of seminars, workshops and practical sessions focused on audience insight, revenue strategy, applied technology and market positioning. The accelerator culminates in a high-profile Showcase Day, connecting participants with leading global buyers and brand partners including Banijay Rights, Blue Ant Media, Bomanbridge, Cineflix Rights, Essence Mediacom, Off the Fence and Silverlining Rights.
Victoria Powell, Founder and CEO of Indielab, said: “The market has changed - not temporarily, but structurally. What we’re seeing with this year’s cohort is a group of strong, established companies who are reassessing how they operate, where they focus and how they generate value. Content Futures is designed to give them the space, insight and frameworks to make those decisions with clarity and confidence.”
Louise Acheson, Head of Business & Market Development at Screen Scotland said: “It’s fantastic to be able to support Freedom Scripted, 14th Floor Productions and Unified Productions as part of this year’s programme. Each of these companies reflects the strength, ambition and range of Scotland’s independent production sector, and we look forward to seeing how they use the programme to sharpen their strategies, explore new opportunities and build sustainable growth for the future.”
Matt Travers, Head of Business, Commissioning Supply at BBC added: “At the BBC, we’re proud to be long-term funding partners of Indielab and support the important role it plays in strengthening the independent production sector at a time of significant change. Creating space for companies to reflect, adapt and think strategically about their future is essential to maintaining a resilient and sustainable production ecosystem.”