International Business of the Year
We made a splash at the Edinburgh Business Awards
We were absolutely delighted to be crowned Edinburgh's International Business of the Year at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. After battling through the many challenges that faced every industry over the last year, it was wonderful for us to be up on the stage and recognised for the many positive things the team achieved in 2023.
Our work with NGOs around the world
One of our biggest accomplishments was securing a monumental project with UN Women in New York, marking our debut with a major US-based NGO. The project involved filming in 16 different countries across the globe, with Nicole Kidman providing a voiceover. Our brief was clear: to amplify the voices against violence targeting women and children and spread messages of hope worldwide.
During the production phase of this project, we also forged valuable partnerships in locations ranging from Mexico to the Philippines, expanding our international network of filmmakers and extending our operational reach to more than 34 countries. This network is a valuable asset for our future international filmmaking endeavours.
Working with UN Women was one aspect of our international NGO work this past year. We continued to collaborate with prominent NGOs, including multiple projects for the World Health Organization in Geneva, a new client in the United Nations Environmental Programme in Paris, working on a significant project for COP in the UAE. Additionally, we produced an important film on the History of Palestine for the UN Division of Palestinian Rights.
Continued work with valued partners
Our wonderful client partners also provided us with some international opportunities. Our relationship with Hilton Hotels, for instance, extended to include a major film shoot in Amsterdam. We collaborated closely with the German office to provide video assets in support of a large business opportunity, and contributed video content as part of a year-long campaign covering the EMEA region, partnering with renowned agencies Dentsu, Merkel, and Red Brick Road.
Furthermore, our client portfolio grew with exciting commitments from our friends at Lee Kum Kee, the condiment giant based in Hong Kong and London. After an award-winning campaign at the beginning of 2023, they returned for two more projects broadcasting in six European countries.
Developments in scripted entertainment
Notably, we embarked on a strategic shift into original content and scripted feature films in 2023. We produced "Christmas in Scotland," a heart-warming Christmas TV movie in partnership with Canadian TV movie giants, Reel One Entertainment. Despite its modest budget, the film found success in multiple territories, including the US, Canada, Argentina, UK, France, Spain, Croatia, and Serbia. Our brand exposure to foreign markets reached over a million people from just the first two territories, and we even caught the attention of the New York Times!
Motivated by our experience, and now with two features under our belts; we took a big step in September by launching our new film and entertainment company, Nickie-Ben. This endeavour aims to champion Scottish filmmaking talent and operates with an international focus, particularly towards the US. We produced a short film, "LURE", and entered it into five festivals in the US in Q4 of 2023. It secured screenings at two major genre festivals, receiving four award nominations. We travelled to Utah in October to meet with US sales and distribution companies and established interest from LA-based agents in the US distribution rights for our feature project of the same name, planned for production in 2024.
Going forward
Over the course of 2023 51% of our revenue came from foreign markets, representing a significant milestone as it surpassed domestic revenue for the first time in our history. This accomplishment underscores our dedication to becoming a truly international film, TV, and video production company.
In summary, even with all of its many challenges 2023 was still an exceptional year for us, marked by ground-breaking projects, expansion of our international client base and resource, and diversification with the launch of our new venture, Nickie-Ben. As we continue to look ahead through 2024, we are excited to build upon these achievements and continue our journey towards becoming a leader in the world of film, TV, and video production, exporting Scottish talent, expertise, and award-winning work around the world.