Applications are now open for the ScreenSkills and Film Skills Fund’s landmark inclusion programme, Film Forward. Matching Black and Asian professionals in below-the-line roles with paid production placements, the initiative provides key on-the-job training alongside coaching and bursary access to help affect real change in the industry and improve the diversity of productions across the UK. Application deadline is 21 August.
Date: 24 Jul 2023, 00:00 – 10 Oct 2024, 23:55
Age:18+
Application deadline: 21 Aug 2023
Career stages: Experienced, Expert
Industries: Film
Funding: ScreenSkills funded
Film Forward is part of ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund’s wider commitment to increasing and improving diversity and inclusion at every level of the film industry regardless of background or educational attainment.
Film Forward has been specifically designed to tackle the under-representation of Black and Asian professionals at mid to senior levels in the UK film industry, by matching participants with 5+ years experience in below-the-line roles in paid production placements. The initiative provides key on-the-job training alongside bursary access to help effect real change in the industry and improve the diversity of productions across the UK.
This positive action and inclusion programme first launched in 2021. Following a successful pilot that saw a cohort of 14 develop their careers – see comments from two of our participants below – Film Forward now returns to help even more screen professionals take that key next step.
“I’ve thought to myself, “I could be one of the only people of colour doing the job of sound supervisor”. It can feel a bit lonely, so ‘Film Forward’ has given me a sense of belonging: they’re basically saying “we acknowledge that it’s been difficult for you and we are here to facilitate and help you”. This is going to enable me to utilise my skills in the place I want to end up.”
“ScreenSkills puts money, energy and resources behind promoting diversity and inclusion, and it’s a ‘prod and poke’ to executives that are ultimately making the programmes. It’s a win-win situation. ScreenSkills has opened the door to potential employers who can see what I bring to the table. The industry is expanding at such an exponential rate and needs to attract talent from different areas, and ScreenSkills is doing a fantastic job at facilitating this.”
Successful candidates will gain experience, training alongside crew, in a step-up role, that will enable them to apply for future positions at that level.
Candidates will become a part of the production they are placed on, additional to crew, and will have an associated development contract from the production for their placement.
