The Team

Claire moved to Norfolk in 2010 having spent 4 years in Los Angeles heading up the US office of the UK Film Council, representing the interests of the UK film industry. Successfully restructured operations; implemented business plan promoting UK’s film infrastructure & production incentives to US studios. 

Prior to that, as Head of Development & Production at Scottish Screen, Claire oversaw the production / script development of 12 Scottish feature films (including Oscar & BAFTA award winning titles).

Since moving to Norfolk as a Project Manager she established a consultancy to support local charities & businesses in the delivery of creatively driven projects.  These have included a £800k+ fundraise for film education charity Cinema City Ltd to create an accessible film & exhibition space at Cinema City – the John Hurt Centre; as Business Operations Manager of the Sir John Hurt Film Trust, oversaw day-to-day management of the charity & the delivery of several film education activities & various fundraising initiatives; on behalf of UEA Consulting Ltd delivered market research for Cast Role-Play Training to inform its business development strategy to expand its training services in the EofE; produced fundraising gala for the Sir John Hurt Film Trust at Cinema City; executed a bid writing assignment to the BFI Audience Development Fund on behalf of the Norwich Film Festival & more recently project managed the ‘mothballing’ of the Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich (due to Covid-19) in preparation for its re-opening in Autumn 2021.

Most recently Claire’s focus has been on the development of Norfolk Screen & its subsequent launch in November 2020, together with co-founder Craig Higgins.

Email address: claire@norfolkscreen.co.uk

Michelle brings over 15 years of commercial and strategic expertise across film, hospitality, and live entertainment sectors. Her early career included managing operations at the iconic Hammersmith Apollo during its peak televised era, where she developed a detailed understanding of large-scale venue management and broadcast logistics.
 
She later co-founded and scaled The Tipsy Vegan, a multi-site restaurant brand. Her high-growth leadership earned her recognition on The Independent Newspaper / E2E Female 100 List and saw her collaborate with Cambridge University on progressive sustainability initiatives.
 
Michelle’s work at Eye Film has been pivotal in shaping the company’s development slate. She has successfully won broadcast commissions and acquisitions, secured international distribution, and helped unlock BFI funding by aligning Eye Film with key regional partnerships.
 
Now as Growth and Partnerships Manager at Norfolk Screen, Michelle leverages this wealth of experience to support the acceleration of the region’s screen sector.

Email address: michelle@norfolkscreen.co.uk

Craig co-founded Norfolk Screen in 2020 to help champion the regional screen sector and has since worked alongside a number of productions who have filmed in the region to ensure they are signposted to the relevant areas. His work has seen him grow and develop the Norfolk Screen Directories, Promotion of the sector, Sponsorship and has helped to organise a number of industry events. 

Prior to this Craig helped to oversee the development and growth of the Norwich Film Festival and was responsible for working collaboratively with a board of trustees.  His work supported the Festival receiving a BAFTA & BIFA Shorts Qualifying title, supporting the growth of submissions and film screenings along with recruiting a number of industry patrons such as Olivia Colman, Stephen Fry, Julian Jarrold, Brian Cox, John Collee and Hugh Jackman – who became a Friend of The Festival.

Craig has also organised a number of high profile events for the benefit of local filmmakers and the general public, which have included the attendance of famous faces such as Michael Palin, Juliet Stevenson, Christopher Eccleston, David Morrissey, Jane Horrocks, Joe Cornish, Jessica Stevenson etc.. and has hosted numerous industry sessions/panels and screenings in collaboration with national bodies such as BAFTA, Screen Skills, Creative England etc…

Craig is a voting member with the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) and is a Shorts Screener for the Tribeca Film Festival.

Email address: craig@norfolkscreen.co.uk

Evie is Norfolk born & bred and draws on her extensive skills and experience as a Production Manager / Organiser of Chaos to assist with growing our databases and leading on Production enquiries. Evie has demonstrated a valuable knowledge of Norfolk, has excellent links with a variety of organisations within the region and is able to work alongside productions to help make filming in the region as easy as possible.

She’s worked at several local Production Companies including Eye Film & TV, Emmy-award-winners Ember Films & The JMS Group where she’s worked on content for hundreds of clients including Zeiss, Purina, Triumph, FXHome, Goodwin Barrett, Finisterre, Hoseasons, Start-rite and even a Heritage Lottery Funded short docu-drama about one of Norfolk’s English Heritage sites, Thetford Warren Lodge.   

Evie also manages TV Commercial Productions where she keeps up to date on the BCAP Code and Covid safety guidance to efficiently oversee TV Commercial productions from initial concepts through Production (both in studio & on location), clearance through Clearcast and delivery to Broadcasters. 

Email address: info@norfolkscreen.co.uk