The Futures Fund played an instrumental role in helping to get Abdulrahman Abu Zayd’s fledging media production company off the ground.
The money the Film and Media Studies graduate received was critical in assisting his application to the University’s Enterprise Place.
After being accepted, Abdulrahman was given the facilities and advice to get his Profound Connections Entertainment Ltd company up and running.
Profound aims to bring a “unique multimedia experience” to its clients and have already worked across the North East on a variety of projects.
They recently reached a major milestone by having two documentaries broadcast on television through the Made in Tyne & Wear channel.
With Abdulrahman at the helm, the business continues to go from strength to strength. The graduate was quick to praise the University and the Futures Fund for the assistance he has received.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my grateful thanks to the Future Fund, for all the good things that had happened to me,” the 39-year-old said.
With the business off the ground, Abdulrahman and his talented team got to work with a variety of different clients. Due to the close collaboration with the University of Sunderland, Profound Connections carries with it a close connection to the local community, promoting and fighting for local causes and issues. This approach has proved to be extremely successful. Not only have they received positive feedback, but also critical acclaim for one of their films.
“Our documentary, Only and Lonely, has been entered into film festivals in Sunderland and Berlin,” Abdulrahman explained. “We’re really proud of the end product.”
“Working at different levels in the communities in the North East of England, we combine our academic knowledge and industry experience with the believe in what we do, to empower, educate and entertain people.”
The financial support Abdulrahman received from the Futures Fund proved vital in helping him to establish his business. He believes that without it, he would not be where he currently is today. He paid tribute to the Fund and its donors and praised their efforts to give a boost to students who need it.
He concluded: “Thank you very much to everyone involved who helped and supported me through thick and thin during my time at the University of Sunderland.
“Without the Futures Fund I won't be the person I am, and I will never be in the place where I am right now.”
The Internships and Enterprise project is receiving up to £2,359,457 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, European Regional Development Fund funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.
Article written by Matthew Shevlin, University of Sunderland Journalism graduate.