BRISTOL UPDATES

News From Local Businesses And Community Organisations

Dr. Zara Nanu joins Jessie May as new ambassador

Bristol-based children’s hospice-at-home charity, Jessie May, has announced Dr. Zara Nanu MBE as its newest ambassador. Zara is CEO of Gapsquare from XpertHR, as well as a passionate advocate for workplace gender equality and fair pay, and is looking forward to lending her skills and support to Jessie May.

“I am so pleased to work with Jessie May and support the incredible work they do with families throughout the south west. Their vision that all children and young people with life-limiting and life threatening conditions have the very best quality of life possible at home with their families is vital work. I am looking forward to getting to know the team over the coming months.”

Clare Pearce, Director of Funding Development at Jessie May comments: “We are delighted Zara is becoming an ambassador for us. Her different skills will bring fresh talent to the group of ambassadors, and we are excited to start working together. Zara joins us at an exciting time for the charity where we recently set out our 5 year plan to expand our services.”

• jessiemay.org.uk

Wildseed Studios joins Mediawan Kids & Family

Mediawan Kids & Family, the European independent multi-genre studio dedicated to the production and distribution of children’s and family content for audiences worldwide, has announced its first international acquisition for the division with the purchase of a majority stake in UK-based production company Wildseed Studios.

Multi-award winning Wildseed Studios is the leading UK destination for emerging and established talent looking to produce creator-led scripted live action and animated content for children, families and young adults, for the international market.

The company was founded in 2013 by Jesse Cleverly, former Head of coproductions and acquisitions at BBC Children’s and Miles Bullough, former Head of broadcast at Aardman Animations. It has produced worldwide hits such as the family live action series The Last Bus (Netflix), multi-award winning feature film Hungerford, children’s animation series Dodo (Sky Kids), kids 8-11 animated comedy Counterfeit Cat (Disney Channel) and soon-to-be-screened Special Ama’s Story (Sky Kids).

The new partnership will allow Mediawan Kids & Family to enrich its catalogue with new animation and live action content and extend its network of international talent. It will also provide a strong and complementary addition to its existing portfolio of studios.

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Comma Press publish The Book of Bristol

The Book of Bristol is the next anthology in Comma Press’ award-winning ‘Reading the City’ series, sharing short fiction from across the city.

Celebrated for its creativity, communal spirit, and culture of resistance, Bristol is a city with a loud voice and progressive reputation. But it’s also a city that has experienced division and inequality. In this anthology, 10 acclaimed and emerging writers portray a city full of secrets, scars, and stark contrasts. From the elusive angel who turns up at a stagnant café along the Malago River, to the jilted lover caught in the crosshairs of the police, the stories gathered here lean into the turbulent magic of Bristol and will leave readers with a renewed sense of the city’s complexity. The Book of Bristol was edited by Joe Melia and Heather Marks. Joe worked in several Bristol bookshops for 20 years before becoming Bristol Short Story Prize coordinator. Heather is a writer, editor and producer. She works across the arts sector, producing literary events and cultural programmes, and has written for The Bookseller and The Stage. She worked at independent press No Bindings, and won the 2018 Golden Egg Award.

• Published on 23 February, The Book of Bristol (£9.99) is available to buy at: commapress.co.uk