Future Artists Entertainment and Versa Studios join forces

UK production company Future Artists Entertainment (FAE) has partnered with Versa Studios to establish a new international film production hub at Versa Studios in Leeds, strengthening the city’s position as a major centre for screen production in the North of England.

The Leeds facility will provide end-to-end production services, featuring four sound stages ranging in size from 10,000 to 27,000 square feet. In addition to physical production infrastructure, the partnership will expand into post-production and visual effects, alongside a programme of outreach and education initiatives aimed at developing industry talent.

Founded in 2019 by Matt Williams and Martin Owen, FAE reports more than $150 million in production spend to date, having produced fourteen feature films since launch. Seven of those productions have been made in Manchester and Leeds, including two delivered in collaboration with Versa’s Manchester studios.

FAE recently completed production on the Lionsgate survival thriller Above The Below, starring Idris Elba. The company is also known for titles including Netflix hit Bank of Dave, Sky Original Pokerface starring Russell Crowe, Last Train to Christmas starring Michael Sheen, and the Welsh-set true story Save The Cinema, featuring Samantha Morton, Tom Felton and Jonathan Pryce.

Matt Williams, CEO of Future Artists Entertainment, said the partnership marked a significant step forward for the company. He noted that the venture enables FAE to offer a fully integrated production service, combining in-house facilities with established production expertise. Williams added that collaborating with Versa Studios as a global partner, while basing the northern hub in Leeds, presents substantial advantages for both domestic and international productions.

Williams also highlighted the scale and flexibility of the Leeds site, describing it as capable of supporting up to three productions simultaneously. He said FAE had already worked closely with Versa and its sister property company, Allied London, on several projects, adding that the team was looking forward to building on that relationship in Leeds.

Charlie Ingall, Founder and Executive Director of Versa Studios, said the partnership represented another major milestone for Versa as it continues to adapt to the evolving demands of the production sector. He described FAE as a fast-growing and highly successful company, and said the collaboration reflected Versa Studios’ continued expansion and ambition.

Ingall added that the joint aim is to develop a distinctive production hub in Leeds with global reach, attracting both UK and international projects while supporting the development of emerging talent. He emphasised the importance of creating sustainable access to the industry and strengthening the region’s crew base, generating long-term employment opportunities across the wider creative industries in Leeds and beyond.