An all-new, fully equipped creative hub, film production studios and post-production facility has opened in the heart of Sheffield this month.
The Kurious officially opened its doors in Castle House, which is already the home of Kommune food hall and Kollider, on Wednesday, 16 March 2022, and its launch event welcomed creative and industry partners, producers, directors, editors, colourists, actors and designers from across Yorkshire and the North.
The event was hosted by BAFTA winning, Oscar nominated producer and Managing Director of The Kurious, Chris Hees, who said: “As well as bringing the very best regional talent together in one space, we want to play our part in making Sheffield think bigger.
“Through partnerships with some of the key players across the nations, we will be a driving force in the creative industries.”
With 8500 sq ft of hireable co-working spaces, offices, production space, and industry standard post-production facilities in-house, The Kurious will deliver film production services providing the local and wider industry with great content, talent and stories.
The creative hub brings together talent such as screenwriters, animators, producers, editors, VFX artists, VR technicians, technologists, and branding specialists, providing Sheffield and Yorkshire access to an amazing creative community, all under one roof.
Richard Knight, Career Support Manager, Screen Yorkshire, said of the new hub: “I think Kurious is an absolutely brilliant space, it’s game changing for Sheffield. It’s something we’ve been really crying out for, certainly at the moment as production levels across the UK are massive.”
Meabh O’Donovan, Head of NFTS Leeds National Film & Television School, added: “In terms of industry-standard facilities, I think it’s really important for people regionally to see that you don’t have to be based in London to have a very successful career in the creative industry so I think it’s important for the city.”
Located in Castle House, in the city centre, The Kurious has a collective of passionate and creative people, defined by strong ideas and a determination to deliver impact, sharing a belief in the power of great storytelling to inspire and drive change.
Rebecca Mark Lawson, BIFA Winning Producer, Tyke Films, explains: “This brings together creative minds and it fosters creative collaboration. It really creates a hub. Creatives need each other. We rely on each other. We don’t do this as individuals so critical mass is always good.”
Mike Drabble, Sheffield City Councillor, Executive Adviser for Education, Children and Families, added: “In Sheffield, art isn’t handed down from above; it rises from the people out there in workshops, in bars, in rooms and in schools. In bringing these prophets and rebels together, in giving them a place to commune, The Kurious has shown they are a vital part of the future of our city.”
The Kurious also announced they would be co-producing a slate of feature films including Ryan Braund’s follow up to festival hit “Absolute Denial” and a new documentary by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Sean McAllister.
To find out more about hiring the Castle House facilities, working with The Kurious on branded content or joining the collective as a member, visit their website here.
