Zille Media wins Creative Catalyst 2023 grant from Innovate UK for new Audio Description tool

October 19, 2023
The UK's innovation agency are backing Zille Media in their efforts to develop a new Audio Description tool for the film & TV industry as new regulations place greater requirements on AD offerings.
Image: Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

We’re incredibly pleased to announce that Zille Media has been awarded the prestigious Creative Catalyst 2023 grant from Innovate UK. The UK's innovation agency is partnering with Zille Media to pioneer a cutting-edge Audio Description (AD) tool and complimentary project management solutions.

As new regulations roll out in the UK, Europe, and the United States, the demand for innovative audio description solutions is becoming more pronounced. Innovate UK's decision to back Zille Media underscores their commitment to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in the creative sector of film and TV.

The grant not only endorses Zille Media's commitment to enhancing inclusivity but also includes coverage for the company's security accreditation process from the Trusted Partner Network, a subsidiary of the Motion Picture Association. This accreditation will certify that Zille Media's AD tool aligns with the rigorous security standards demanded by the film and television industry.

The tool is poised to launch at the beginning of 2024, offering a new solution to the growing need for accessible content in the world of entertainment. This tool aims to empower the various people working with AD delivery, creating a cloud-based, easy-to-use solution for talented project managers, script writers and voice actors across the globe.

Also included in the solution are the Zille outsourcing features, ensuring AD offerings can be commissioned alongside subtitles, regardless of which in-house resources are available.

The forthcoming product promises to be a game-changer, redefining the future of Audio Description in the entertainment industry.

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For more information about Innovate UK and the Creative Catalyst programme, please visit www.ukri.org.

For more information about the Trusted Partner Network and their content security initiative, please visit www.ttpn.org.

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