isle of man offshore media...

ISLE OF MANOFFSHORE MEDIA HUB

CONTENT CREATION ∙ DISTRIBUTION ∙ BROADCASTING ∙ TECHNOLOGY

The Isle of Media is the national

development agency for the thriving Isle of

Man audio-visual sector.

Set up as a not-for-profit Public Private

Partnership to drive the inward investment in

Digital Media and foster the indigenous

industry and talent, we provide pro-bono

advice to develop your next media project on

the Isle of Man.

Promoting the Island’s excellent capabilities

in financing and growing media ventures, its

stunning filming locations, its exceptional

talent and world class telecommunications

infrastructure, we support and attract the

whole supply chain of the industry:

production to post-production, distributors,

ad agencies, consultancies, video tech and

broadcasting & streaming platforms.

Join Europe’s unique Offshore media cluster!

Enjoy an alternative safe country lifestyle in

the proximity of the city media hubs Dublin,

Belfast, Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.

Live your dream!

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man

Contents

Isle of Man

Taxation

Financing

Production

Location, Location

Genres

Studios & Post Production

eSports & Video Games

Content Distribution

Connectivity & Broadcast

Education & Talent

Actors & Vloggers

Festivals

Lifestyle

Offices

Mark Rowland, chairman C21 and CEO Formatzone:

“We are delighted to be launching an international format business on the island. The skills

involved to develop the business are all here, from TV production expertise to finance and

marketing.”

Laurence Llewelyn Bowen in the ultimate makeover show: “Laurence of Suburbia” 3

Douglas Bay and Marina4

Safestplace to live in the British Isles

5

General Speed Limit no

Unemployment <1

Private Jet Centre 1

Private Schools 2

Ferry Routes 4

Airlines 5

Golf Courses 9

Years of unbroken economic growth 30

Flights to London per week 50

Yearly sunshine hours 1578

Citizens 85000

A 1000 year old parliament tradition of Norse origin, the

world’s first nation to give women voting rights, no

general speed limit and low taxes, the Isle of Man runs

ahead of the Zeitgeist, while preserving its identity.

Located right in the middle of the Irish Sea, a flight hour

from the English capital, the Ibiza sized Island is the

only entire jurisdiction in the world to be awarded as a

UNESCO World Biosphere Region. The Gulf Stream

moderates the climate: there is an abundance of palm

trees and even wallabies populating the highlands.

What’s more the island enjoys more hours of sunshine

than Zurich or London.

Heritage & High Tech co-exist. Stone and bronze age

relics, Viking and Norman castles, Victorian sea bath

waterfronts are as visible as Hipsters and the startup

scene. Pubs take Bitcoins as well as the Pound Sterling.

The Isle of Man, ranking the 5th richest nation in the

world by GNP per capita, offers significant financial

support for new businesses of its diversified economy.

Its Digital Media Cluster, as part of the Creative

Industries and Tech sector, features global video

production and distribution, local film making and co-

productions and the necessary tech infrastructure for

broadcast and streaming. More than 100 feature films

including Oscar nominations have been produced and

shot on island. Dedicated partnerships with Venture

Capital supports our future media sector strategy.

The Isle of Media is a non-for profit Public Private

Partnership with Government helping you to start up.

Isle of Man

Isle of Man Bank, courtesy of Peter Killey6

Acknowledged August 2017 by the OECD for its

tax transparency, the Isle of Man is one of the few

achievers of the ‘top compliance’ rating.

For companies in the Media sector the standard

rate of corporate income tax is 0%. There is no

capital gains tax (e.g. when you exit), no

withholding tax (e.g. on rights deals), no wealth tax,

no stamp duty, no death duty or inheritance tax in

the Isle of Man.

The Island operates a simple taxation regime with

a lower rate of tax on individuals of 10%, a higher

rate of 20% and an 5-year election for a tax cap of

£150,000 on personal income for the current tax

year 2018-2019.

For ‘Key Employees’ there is a 3-year tax

concession. As a result no tax is payable on any

income other than income from Isle of Man

employment.

The Isle of Man has concluded agreements with

more than 40 jurisdictions and is party to the OECD

Multilateral Convention. These agreements provide

for exchange of information with respect to taxes

with approximately 100 jurisdictions.

Taxation

7

‘Invest in me’ Pitch Event8

As a world leading finance hub the Isle of Man offers a plethora of financial support and advice. Grants to up to 40% cash backs

are available for eligible capital expenditure like studio infrastructure, sustainable film sets, training and global marketing spend.

Numerous Business Angels, Family Offices, High Net Worth Individuals can provide equity. Banks and corporates are engaged to

support entrepreneurship on the Island, and can provide growth capital for the next step. Isle of Media has signed several

cooperation agreements with private venture capital partners. And if you go big, you might consider an innovative listing at The

International Stock Exchange, TISE or an ICO.

Recently, Isle of Man and Channel Island based TISE has been chosen to issue a €1.3 billion high yield bond from Netflix .

Isle of Man has been named Best International Finance Centre

at the 18th International Investment Fund and Product Awards

Financing

Cregneash Village10

Airfields

Beaches

Castles

Classic Cars

Cliffs

Dunes

Equestrian facilities

Farms

Highlands

Hill Forts

Manors

Ports

Parks

Supercars

Railways

Vikings

Woodlands

BAFTA award winning director Amma Asante:

“It shows the versatility of the Isle of Man and what you can do when you combine a great

location with a great set”

Amma Asante on set 11

Location, Location

”Belle”- Multi-Award winning Isle of Man Film production directed by Amma Asante’12

Find your perfect filming location in the Isle of

Man; misty moors, castles and ruins. Breathtaking

valleys, deep forests and dark caves. Varied coastal

scenery and rare wildlife. You will find Victorian towns,

exquisite period Manor houses, traditional fishing

villages, and perfectly preserved steam and tram

railways. Our architecture ranges from Viking and

Medieval to modern commercial and residential

property.

The Isle of Man online library of potential film locations

provides geo-tagged access to descriptions and hundreds

of photographs. If you have specific needs for your new

media production that you can’t match with our database,

please don’t hesitate and contact us.

As a film friendly jurisdiction with more than a century

tradition in all kind of motorsports, we are bringing the two

worlds together and are able to close public roads for

exciting filming projects. In addition the Isle of Man

features a dense network of ‘Green Lanes’ for Offroaders.

Isle of Media is available to give help and guidance. We

can provide you contact details of professional location

scouts and location managers.

13

Documentaries

W. Clark Bunting, CEO Digital Circus Media and former President of Discovery Channel:

"I found this place to be remarkable - the wildlife, variety of landscape and, of course, the adrenaline thrills of the TT. It is a

secret jewel - and I'll be back for business and pleasure. I can't recall ever visiting a place with such warm and welcoming people."

Every May, over 45,000 motorcycle

racing enthusiasts from around the world

make the pilgrimage to the Isle of Man. They

line their favourite spots on the Island's hedgerows

to secure the best vantage points to watch history being

made before their eyes. There really is nothing on Earth quite

like the Isle of Man TT Races. No other motorcycle race is held on

such a challenging track as the Island’s 37.73 mile Mountain Course.

Demanding as the race is the related TV production. The length and size of

the course with numerous filming locations, the chase helicopter operation,

the bike on board camera management and the pressure of a same-day

turnaround production with a live playout – if you have mastered production

here, you can make it everywhere. The Island companies provide content

and live feeds to major international broad-casters for sporting events from

Shanghai to Miami, from Powerboat GP to Porsche Cup.

Recently Hollywood’s Pilgrim Media Group, specialized in non-scripted

television production, opened an office here for the TT.

Isle of Man TT

15

Sports & Events Production

Greenlight Edit Facility

Waking Ned Devine16

Since 1995, the Isle of Man has built a world-wide reputation, having co-financed and

co-produced over 100 feature films and television dramas, all filmed on the Island.

…

Where Hands Touch (2018)

3 Wheeling (2017)

Mindhorn (2016)

Spooks: The Greater Good (2015)

Honour (2014)

Dom Hemingway (2013)

Belle (2012)

TT3D: Closer to the Edge (2011)

Ashes (2011)

Chico & Rita (2010)

The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009)

Me and Orson Welles (2008)

Heartless (2008)

Stormbreaker (2006)

Revolver (2005)

Five Children and It (2004)

Churchill: The Hollywood Years (2004)

Blackball (2003)

The hound of the Baskervilles (2002)

The Heart of Me (2001)

Bubble Boy (2001)

Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000)

Tom's Midnight Garden (1999)

Waking Ned (1998)

17

Feature Films

As a nation with a strong local culture the Island is ‘content rich’. Where else could one of the most successful motorbike films have

been made? “Closer to the Edge” has been recently complemented by “3 Wheeling”, a documentary about sidecar racing. Unique as

well is ‘The Watchmaker's Apprentice’ which tells the inspirational story of how Dr. George Daniels rose from Dickensian poverty to

become the finest watchmaker of the modern era and how Roger Smith embarked on an obsessive, seven-year quest to become his

apprentice and eventually, his equal. And if you spot a camera crew in the streets or hills it could be one of several independent local

filmmakers, or a team from ‘Culture Vannin’ documenting the Isle of Man – ‘Ellan Vannin’ in Gaelic – ‘Manx’ culture and heritage.

Peel Castle – Viking Capital of the ‘Kingdom of the Isles’18



secret jewel - and I'll be back for business and pleasure. I can't recall ever visiting a place with such warm and welcoming people."Documentaries

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secret jewel - and I'll be back for business and pleasure. I can't recall ever visiting a place with such warm and welcoming people."

Documentaries

With a long heritage in film, the television market has naturally followed, with production companies using the Isle of Man as a filming

location or setting up head quarters. Some TV series include: Laurence of Suburbia (2017, Sky Vision), Suddenly Royal (2015, TLC

& Discovery), Top Gear (various, BBC), Countryfile (2017, BBC), The Knot (2012, CBBC), and Rocket’s Island (2012, BBC).

20

TV Series

Since 2010, the MannIN Shorts scheme has provided a platform for independent filmmakers of any age to build their skills, develop

their ideas and make films, encouraging and supporting a plethora of co-funded short films and competitions. MannIN Shorts runs a

ongoing series of industry-led workshops and training across all disciplines that include everything from scriptwriting, though

production and post production. The Isle of Man Film Festival has provided a great showcasing opportunity. Films produced through

the scheme have gone on to win international awards and many of the participants have progressed to careers within the industry.

21

MannIN Shorts

Shorts

Isle of Man Railways22

Thomas the Tank Engine was inspired by the Island's steam railways and the movie ‘Thomas and the Magic Railroad’ was produced

on the Isle of Man, along with Finley the Fire Engine, Ironman, Freefonix, Friends & Heroes and Oscar nominated Chico and Rita.

23Thomas the Tank Engine

VFX & Animation

Mountain View Innovation Centre and Film Studios24

Conceived as a vast sound stage for filming, the largest studio in the North of the Island features 1042m2 – with 14.3m clear height. It

is ideal for large scale indoor exhibitions or any large-scale event where protection from the elements is desirable – and can

accommodate over a thousand people in concert format. The sound stage has a huge roll-up door allowing drive-in vehicle access

(which would accommodate even high-level trucks and double decker buses!). The room is also fully equipped with ample power,

lighting and a fire-sprinkler system. Smaller film studios and several recording studios also operate on the Island and have catered for

everything from voice over to ADR and rock band to orchestral recordings.

Several edit suites with UK broadcast-standard facilities in HD and 4K are available along with sound recording and office services.

Thanks to the thousands of hours of international action sports content produced by Isle of Man companies, the Island is also home

to a large contingent of highly experienced camera crews including licensed drone operators.

25Duke Aerial Productions

Studios & Post Production

One of the world largest hubs in eGaming , the Isle of Man is

continuing to enjoy exceptional levels of growth in this sector.

The natural expansion into the booming eSports area is

leveraging on the Island’s strength in Creative Industries,

Digital Media and eGaming.

Streaming and Broadcasting such type of events can be

conducted from the Island’s data centres. Our supportive

ecosystem and financial aid on offer is helping new ventures

to thrive when they arrive. We can almost make a 15ms

round trip to Amsterdam (16-17ms consistently) from our

datacentres here due to our tier 1 peering.

The Island just recently introduced new regulations that allow

players to deposit, gamble and withdraw virtual items and

digital currencies in addition to cash. ESP is the first company

to take advantage of the new regulations making this licence

a world first for betting virtual items, meanwhile joined by

Rivalry, Luckbox and Unikrn.

And of course the Isle of Man is geared up for video game

developers, supporting game content creation with its Media

Fund. 2018 already saw the release of ‘TT: Ride on the Edge’

a video game for XBOX, Playstation and PC.

Scott Burton, CEO at ESP:

‘The Isle of Man is well set up for ESP to develop and grow.

We only have to look at the pedigree of other e-Gaming

companies already based here who trust the Island with

their business. The Isle of Man has many positive attributes

that align with our brand values, a progressive gambling

commission that understands our product and market and

top tier hosting and technology services “.

26

eSports & Video Games

The Isle of Man is the natural home of your IPR and

content rights. Subsequently several international

distributors are located on the Island.

Motorsports specialists Duke and Greenlight International

operate from here producing and distributing the weekly

magazine shows Motorsport Mundial & Auto Mundial - with

over 30 years experience and exports to more than 150

countries.

The world largest independent motorsports media platform,

Motorsport Network with Motorsport.tv, recently invested

into Duke and the Isle of Man.

Hollywood’s Pilgrim Media Group, part of Lionsgate, have

set up a branch in the Island to produce and distribute

content around the TT motorbike race.

Indian video giant Eros International operates from its Isle

of Man holding as Ayngaran International, a Tamil video

distributor does.

Friends & Heroes is a long established Cartoon network.

Expect to meet the Isle of Man distributors at all major

trade shows including MipTV, MIPCOM, Sportel, and NAB.

27

Content Distribution

The Isle of Man is incredibly

well connected with five,

and soon seven, submarine

cables to Great Britain and

Ireland. This self-healing

infrastructure gives the

island both incredible

resilience, security and a

futureproofed bandwidth to

the rest of the world.

28 Isle of Man Teleport

Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology Officer of SES Satellites: “The teleport is a state-of-the-art

facility providing satellite telemetry, tracking and commanding facilities and capacity

management, together with a wide range of teleport services such as uplink, downlink, and

contribution services for broadcasters and data centres.”

Connectivity

The Isle of Man is proud of its long

tradition to be at the forefront of

telecommunication. For instance the

island was the first of a European

HSDPA 3.5G network.

Now the Island targets a 100%

superfast fibre broadband coverage

for businesses and residents. Highly

resilient bandwidth connectivity is

complemented by outstanding data

centres offering industry leading

DDOS mitigation solutions.

With several telcos, ISPs and six

ISO27001 certified data centres, the

Isle of Man is prepared for your:

• Cloud content hosting

• Channel origination (playout)

• Online Video Services (OTT)

• VoD content syndication

• Delivery via Satellite, DTT & OTT

The Isle of Man is linked via fibre to SES teleports and MX1 Media Centres around the

world. Via Sohonet you can connect to more than 400 media and entertainment

companies including Warner Bros, Dreamworks, BBC and HBO. And UniqueX, a global

digital content delivery provider, has its headquarters here.

29

Connectivity

The Isle of Man passionately fosters talent

development, in the Island’s schools, in the

University College, in industry and in the wider

community. The University College offers a long

standing education in Digital Media for film,

broadcasting and animation and computer science.

Into Film, a charity educating young people in film

operates in twenty schools across the Island. The

CodeClub and Barclay’s EagleLab offer students

hands-on computing and tech experience.

Under the banner of the Mannin Shorts scheme

filmmakers hone their skills, develop their ideas and

make films on the Isle of Man. The scheme was

designed to encourage talent both in front of and

behind camera and the Island has a wealth of acting

talent that stems from world class theatre groups.

Professional recruitment and casting agencies help

you to find on- and off-island talent.

The Royal Television Society is an educational

charity promoting the art and science of television. It

offers insights and opportunities into making cutting

edge contemporary TV. Isle of Media is the Patron

of the Society’s Isle of Man Centre.

ICT Campus of the University College Man

• Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology

• BA (Hons) Visual Communication through Digital Media

• BSc (Hons) and MSc in Computer Science

31

Talent

http://www.ucm.ac.im/

Chico and Rita - Oscar Nominated in 2012 for Best Animated Feature32

The Island is the home of many talented

individuals. Barry and Robin from Bee

Gees were born here, as was Les

Miserables star Samantha Barks, Bolly-

wood star and influencer Amy Jackson.

Beckii Cruel made it even further and

became a pop phenomena in Japan.

Others came and stayed. You might

spot Gimli, alias Bafta award winning

actor John Rhys Davies in the streets or

chat with YouTube award winner Tanya

Anderson.

Hollywood A-listers who filmed here

include Daniel Craig, Alec Baldwin,

Patrick Swayze, Christian Slater, Julie

Andrews, Kathleen Turner, Johnny

Depp, Jude Law and Renee Zellweger.

Brit superstars and entertainers Colin

Firth, Stephen Fry, Kit Harrington and

Dame Maggie Smith have filmed here

as well, and, as this is an island of

petrol heads, of course the teams from

Top Gear, have enjoyed the freedom of

the open exhilarating Manx Roads.33

Actors & Influencers

John Rhys-Davies, Isle of Man resident:

“In truth the richness of this Island is considerable and

everything we can do to push it, to promote it and encouraging

others to share it with us, is really valuable.“

John Rhys-Davies in discussion with Mark Kermode at the Isle of Man Film Festival34

Mark Kermode, BBC Film Critic: “If you grow up on the Island

there, you are surrounded by the film culture, you are

surrounded by people making films.”

Islexpo

The Theatre Fest

Isle of Man Film Festival

Celtic Media Festival 2017

Big Wheel Blues Festival

Festival of Motorcylcling

Art Festival

Manx Litfest

Beer & Cider Food & Drink

Celtfest Isle of Man

Deep South Festival

Festival of Choirs

Beer & Cider

35Is

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Festivals

36 Isle of Man Glen

Lifestyle

We are the first entire Island Nation in the world to receive the prestigious

endorsement from UNESCO as a BIOSPHERE. The stunning beauty of the

Island’s landscape and a sport and wellness embracing community spirit create a

splendid living quality you won’t find elsewhere.

Newcomers to the Island are surprised by the variety of scenery, which exists on

such a relatively small landmass. From rolling hills to picturesque farmlands,

spectacular coastal scenery to secluded glens, the Island provides a wealth of

diverse leisure activities, with an emphasis on sport and outdoor pursuits.

The choice of outdoor sports is considerable. Cycling, golf (we have 9 courses),

watersports, hiking and equestrian sports are popular.

37Castletown Golf Links ranked within Rolex’s Top Golf Courses in the World

Outdoor

Sea kayaking, Sailing, Diving, Fishing, Swimming, Jet Skiing… Explore the Isle of Man’s stunning coastline above or under water.

Several Yacht Clubs welcome traditional sailors, blue water cruisers or dinghy racers.

38 Charter Yacht

Watersports

The Isle of Man is known around the

globe as an undisputed world-class

destination for motorsport - and having

no general speed limit.

If accelerated by steam, petrol or

electricity, the Island’s challenging and

comprehensive road and green lane

network has entertained competitors on

two, three and four wheels, as well as

spectators, for over a hundred years.

Drag, drift and stock car races, rallies,

hillclimbs or motocross, the Island

caters for every type of petrolhead.

Thousands of visitors from across the

globe visit the Isle of Man each year for

the greatest road racing event in the

world – the TT Races. Described as

‘Formula 1 with Cliffs’ the daring 37 and

¾ mile Mountain Course sees racers

from around the world reach average

lap speeds of up to 135 mph, longer

and faster than any Grand Prix.

Motorsports

39

Love good food? Love good drinks? Perfect, we do too!

The Isle of Man has become quite a foodie destination. From local delicacies to

global fare, the Manx food scene is sure to delight.

And some of our indigenous specialties have made to the world top resto scene

from New York to Shanghai. Queenies, Queen Scallops, our newly named

National Dish, are light, buttery, and succulent. Traditionally served in a white or

cream sauce, these little guys are sure to be your new staple. The award-winning

Isle of Man Creamery makes cheese which is so good, that it gets exported all

over the world – but in the Isle of Man, it never travels more than 15 miles from

farm to fork! Loaghtan Lamb, a thousand year old Viking sheep race, is native to

the island and no, you’re not seeing double, these sheep have 4 (or 6!) horns.

The lamb is tender with a complex flavour and is a TRUE delicacy.

Not only the Isle of Man has four breweries, we do have our distilleries as well!

Manx Queenies (Scallops)

Claire Christian Couture40

Drink

Food

Discover your own story at one of the Isle of Man’s extraordinary events. The

Island is a melting pot of character and taste. With over 100 events taking place

on our shores every year, you are never short of adventure. From fashion shows,

own theatre and musical productions, poetry slams – a rich and active cultural

scene and an embracing community spirit can create a splendid living quality you

won’t find elsewhere.

Celebrate the best of the Isle of Man’s society, from literature and writing to

dancing and tin bath racing. Taste the best of Manx produce at food and drink

festivals, wine tasting sessions and brewery tours. Get lost in your senses with

every sample/mouthful. Meet familiar strangers with every new step of every day

and event. Rejoice at new beginnings, events that give communities the power to

bring joy into a life, a town.

Experience the rarest of traditions, which celebrates the beauty of our Islanders in

song or literature. A place filled with independence; a spirit strong enough to

break the back of neighbouring kingdoms.

Get lost in history, watch it unravel.

Events that are Manx made leave behind legacies, woven into our folklore of

Vikings and Celts. Come to your senses.41

Gaiety Theatre

Claire Christian Couture

Culture

42 Barclay’s Eagle Lab

If you want to jumpstart your

business, the Island offers hot

desks, managed office space as

well as several incubators and

accelerators with access to

mentors and business angels.

From contemporary design roof

top offices with stunning views to

Victorian architecture, the

available offices cater for all

tastes and needs.

Make the Isle of Man your home!

The Nunnery 43

Offices

Isle of Man Head Office:

Mountain View Innovation Centre

Jurby Road

Ramsey, IM7 2DZ

Isle of Man

France Office:

Villa Rose Blanches

9 Rue des Vosges

06400 Cannes

France

ISLE OF MEDIA LIMITED, incorporated in the Isle of Man

Company Number 131277C, Registered Office: Greenlight House, Tromode, IM4 4QJ, Isle of Man

Design: Dr Richard K Arning. Images from: BAC Ltd., Celtic Media Festival, Claire Christian Couture, Contintent8, Duke Arial Production, Formatzone,

Greenlight International, Isle of Man Film Festival, Isle of Man Government (Isle of Man Film, Villa Gaiety, visitisleofman), MannIN Shorts, Manx Scenes

Photography, Mountain View Innovation Centre, SES S.A.

For general inquiries:

Email [email protected]

Web www.IsleofMedia.org

Twitter @IsleofMedia

Languages:

English + 44 7711 97 67 20

Deutsch + 44 7624 29 29 93

Français + 33 6 76 42 46 26

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