Screen East promotes the region as the ideal location for films

Regional Screen Agency Screen East will use the fund to invest in production projects which lead to improved employment and economic regeneration.

Screen East helps develop and promote the film, television and digital media industry in Beds, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Herts, Norfolk and Suffolk.

The fund will be launched at the high-profile festival on Saturday.

Film locations

At least 20 commercially-viable productions will be supported by the fund and they must be shot in specific regeneration areas in the East.

Screen East chief executive Laurie Hayward said: "The fund establishes Screen East as a regional financier, backed by the European Structural Funds to invest in films which are capable of making a return that can be reinvested in future projects."

Screen East production executive Sheryl Crown said the fund was a fantastic opportunity for the East and represented a much needed regional boost to the film economy.

Screen East promotes the region as the ideal location for film and television productions.

It is funded by the UK Film Council and by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).