EXCLUSIVE: The creator of Tilly Norwood, the AI actress who put Hollywood under the collar, has stressed that it was not developed with funding from the British Film Institute (BFI).
Eline Van Der Velden, the UK-based technologist, shared a statement with Deadline clarifying how her company, Particle6, used a grant from the BFI’s UK Global Screen Fund.
Her intervention comes amid concerns from the acting community about Norwood’s creation and how avatars like her could ultimately replace lesser-known performers.
Alexa Morden, an actress who hosts The 98% Podcast, spotted the Particle6 grant and said she was alarmed that the BFI could use “public funds to support the creation of technology that literally replaces creative people”.
Van Der Velden said the £120,000 ($161,000) grant Particle6 received from the BFI in November 2023 was “completely unrelated” to the creation of Norwood. A BFI spokeswoman echoed the sentiment.
Van Der Velden’s position is that Norwood was financed and developed by Xicioa, a separate company established by the technologist in February. The IP is owned by Xicioa, with Particle6 providing support under a service agreement.
It’s a more nuanced picture than the one portrayed over the summer, when Norwood soft-launched and Particle6 repeatedly and proudly claimed credit for creating the computer-generated star. In a LinkedIn post at the time, Van Der Velden said: “Tilly is Particle6’s fully AI-generated actress. »
Van Der Velden told Deadline: “In 2023, Particle6 was proud and deeply grateful to receive support from the International Business Development stream of the BFI UK Global Screen Fund.
“As per the terms of the grant, all funds were dedicated exclusively to advancing our international growth strategy. This included key initiatives such as attending overseas markets and conferences, acquiring new intellectual property and hiring an International Outreach Manager – all of which were fully approved and communicated to the BFI. This Outreach role began as a position of consultant, and as our ambitions grew, the industry executive who was initially our consultant became the head of Particle6. sales manager in the summer of 2025.”
“It is important to note that this grant is unrelated to Xicoia, which was created later, in February 2025 (and officially announced in September).
“Today, as an AI talent studio, Xicoia operates as an independent company while maintaining a service agreement with Particle6. Particle6 continues to thrive as a diversified production company, creating across AI, traditional television and commercial formats.”
A BFI spokesperson said: “The UK Global Screen Fund award was made to Particle6 and is entirely separate from Xicoia’s development of Tilly Norwood, with no crossover of activities or resources. The BFI was not aware of any development intentions by Xicoia Ltd or Tilly Norwood at the time of application.”
Van Der Velden added: “The BFI plays a vital role in strengthening and sustaining the UK’s screen sector, and countless creative businesses, including ours, have benefited from its support. We share the BFI’s belief that innovation and responsibility must go hand in hand.
“Its June 2025 report, AI in the Screen Sector: Perspectives and Paths Forward, outlines a clear and forward-looking framework for the ethical and sustainable integration of AI. Particle6 and Xicoia are proud to align with this vision and remain committed to contributing positively to the UK’s reputation for creativity, innovation and integrity.”
Particle6, which describes itself as an AI production company, was founded in 2015. As well as funding from the BFI, the company has secured support from Channel 4 and Creative UK.
