Tilly Norwood Creator says no BFI money was used to create an AI actress
Exclusive: Creator Tilly Norwood, the AI actress who made Hollywood sexy under the collar, has confirmed that it was not developed using funding from the British Film Institute (BFI).
Eileen van der Velden, a UK-based technology expert, shared a statement with Deadline explaining 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 Norwood’s creation and how avatars like hers could eventually replace lesser-known performers.
Alexa Morden, host of the 98% Podcast, Spotted Scholarship Particle6 She said she was concerned that the BFI might use “public funding to support the creation of technology that literally replaces designs”.
The £120,000 ($161,000) grant Particle6 received from the BFI in November 2023 was “completely unrelated” to Norwood’s creation, van der Velden said. A BFI spokeswoman echoed this sentiment.
Van Der Velden’s position is that Norwood was financed and developed through Xicioa, a separate company the technologist created in February. The IP is owned by Xicioa, with Particle6 providing support under a service agreement.
It’s a more accurate picture than the one described over the summer, when Norwood was experimentally launched and Particle6 repeatedly proudly claimed credit for creating the computer-generated star. In a LinkedIn post at the time, van der Velden said: “Tilly is an actress created entirely by AI at Particle6.”
“In 2023, Particle6 was extremely proud and grateful to receive support through the BFI UK Global Screen Fund’s International Business Development Pathway,” van der Velden told Deadline.
“In line with the terms of the grant, all funding was allocated exclusively to furthering our international growth strategy. This included key initiatives such as attending overseas markets and conferences, acquiring new intellectual property, and engaging our Head of International Outreach – all fully approved and communicated with the BFI. This outreach role began as an advisory position, and as our ambitions grew, the senior industry executive who initially acted as our advisor became Head of Particle6 has a commercial officer in summer 2025.”
“It is important to note that this grant is completely unrelated to Xicoia, which was founded later, in February 2025 (and officially announced in September). Xicoia — and its first AI talent, Tilly Norwood (launched publicly in July 2025) — was funded entirely by my personal investment.
“Today, as an AI talent studio, Xicoia operates as an independent company while maintaining its service agreement with Particle6. Particle6 continues to thrive as a diversified production company, producing across AI, traditional TV and commercial formats.”
A BFI spokesperson said: “The UK Global Screen Fund award has been awarded to Particle6 and is completely separate from Xicoia’s development of Tilly Norwood, with no crossover in activity or resources. The BFI was not aware of any intention to develop Xicoia Ltd or Tilly Norwood at the time of the application.”
Van der Velden added: “The BFI plays a vital role in strengthening the UK’s screen sector and securing it for the future, and countless creative companies, including our own, have benefited from its support. We share the BFI’s belief that innovation and responsibility must go hand in hand.”
“The June 2025 report, AI in the Display Sector: Perspectives and Pathways Forward, sets out a clear, forward-looking framework for ethical and 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-powered production company, was founded in 2015. In addition to funding from the BFI, the company has received support from Channel 4 and Creative UK.