EXCLUSIVE: The creator of Tilly Norwood, the AI actress who got Hollywood hot under the collar, has stressed that she was not developed using 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 in the acting community about the creation of Norwood and how avatars like her could ultimately replace lower profile performers.
Alexa Morden, an actress who hosts The 98% Podcast, spotted the Particle6 grant and said she was alarmed that the BFI could be using “public funding to support creation of technology that literally replaces creatives.”
Van Der Velden said the £120,000 ($161,000) grant Particle6 received from the BFI in November 2023 was “entirely unrelated” to the creation of Norwood. A BFI spokeswoman echoed this sentiment.
Van Der Velden’s position is that Norwood was funded and developed through Xicioa, a seperate company established by the technologist in February. The IP is owned by Xicioa, with Particle6 providing support under a service agreement.
It is a more nuanced picture than the one described over the summer, when Norwood was 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 through the BFI UK Global Screen Fund’s International Business Development strand.
“In line with the terms of the grant, all funding was dedicated exclusively to advancing our international growth strategy. This included key initiatives such as attending overseas markets and conferences, acquiring new IP, and engaging a head of international outreach — all of which were fully approved and communicated with the BFI. This outreach role began as a consultancy position, and as our ambitions grew, the senior industry executive who initially served as our consultant became Particle6’s chief commercial officer in summer 2025.”
“It’s important to note that this grant is entirely unrelated to Xicoia, which was established later, in February 2025 (and formally announced in September). Xicoia — and its first AI talent, Tilly Norwood (launched publicly in July 2025) — were fully funded by my own personal investment.
“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 diverse production company, creating across AI, traditional television, and commercial formats.”
A BFI spokesperson said: “The UK Global Screen Fund award was granted to Particle6 and is entirely separate to Xicoia’s development of Tilly Norwood, with no crossover in activity or resources. The BFI was not aware of any intention for the development of Xicoia Ltd or of Tilly Norwood at the time of application.”
Van Der Velden added: “The BFI plays a vital role in strengthening and future-proofing the UK’s screen sector, and countless creative companies, 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, forward-looking framework for ethical, sustainable AI integration. 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 backing from Channel 4 and Creative UK.
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