Random Acts 'supercharged' by C4

The move is designed to position the broadcaster’s arts coverage more squarely against the BBC and Sky, which have recently pledged to increase their output in the space.

C4 is preparing 12 x 30-minute series Random Acts TV with each episode containing a selection of short films. The series, which will be overseen by arts commissioning editor John Hay, will be split into two parts with the first run scheduled to air by early 2015.

Random Acts, which previously comprised 3-minute short films and aired in a post 11pm slot, launched in 2011. It has featured more than 500 shorts from the likes of Ai Weiwei, Tinie Tempah, Kate Tempest, Jake and Dinos Chapman and Marina Abramovic.

As part of the move C4 has partnered with the Arts Council England, which will invest £3m to help find and develop young creative talent and establishing regional arts networks. C4 hopes that these groups can help create short films that will be made available on 4oD as well as form part of Random Acts TV.

The strand will be run by C4 commissioning editor John Hay, who has taken over responsibility after arts commissioner Tabitha Jackson left the company to join the Sundance Institute last year.

Hay, who took responsibility for C4’s arts coverage following the departure of Tabitha Jackson to the Sundance Institute last year, said: “There’s an incredible world of short-form filmmaking online that has got detached from television and isn’t seen by as nearly as many people as it should be.

“Random Acts already has a long and impressive track record in finding, showcasing and supporting those filmmakers, but with this expanded programme and partnership it stands a far better chance of getting them the attention their astonishing work deserves, and making sure that there’s a stream of new talent joining their ranks.”

Sir Peter Bazalgette, chair, Arts Council England added: “Channel 4 has a knack for giving a voice to younger audiences, so we see Random Acts as key to our ambition to inspire new, diverse and dynamic young talent. We want this partnership to enable the next generation of artists and filmmakers to showcase their work to the widest possible audiences.”