BFI NETWORK & BFI Film Academy South West present New Voices: Step Up
This summer, in partnership with Watershed and Bristol AF Productions, we’re launching a few mentoring opportunities for filmmakers who identify as being from a lower socio-economic background* or who are currently unemployed or claiming benefits. In these challenging times – and with working-class creatives in film and TV at the lowest level in a decade** – we recognise the need to support talent who lack the opportunities that others may have (in location, access, connections, resources), and we’re keen to provide some guidance on pathways into the industry and on maintaining a career once in it.
Mentees will benefit from two 45-minute online meetings with industry professionals with actions and notes provided. We aim to inspire and motivate, and to provide tools, resources and plans for your next steps.
BFI Film Academy South West are offering six places to early-stage creatives aged 16-25 who are interested in screen skills across film, TV and immersive, and who might be looking for support in areas such as:
- Film & TV curation
- Getting into the film & TV industry
- Documentary production
- CV and self-promotion skills
The mentors you could be matched with include creative producer and director Elle Dimond, writer-director Xenia Glen and film curator Neil Ramjee.
You must be aged 16 – 25 and based in the south west of England to apply. Students are welcome to apply.
To apply please fill in this brief form (video answers will also be accepted).
BFI NETWORK South West are offering six places to early-mid-level producers, directors and screenwriters aged 18+ and not in full-time education who are interested in fiction filmmaking across live action, animation and immersive, and who are looking for guidance in areas such as:
- Maintaining a film/TV career
- Building relationships with crew and creatives
- Pitching your ideas to funders and execs
- Finding your voice as a filmmaker
The mentors you could be matched with include filmmaker Paul Holbrook, creative producer Vic Tillotson, Head of Film, Maddy Probst, and more to be announced soon.
You must be 18+, live in the south west of England and out of full time education to apply. If you are a student, see BFI Film Academy’s offer below.
To apply please fill in this brief form (video answers will also be accepted).
Timeline:
Applications open Mon 8 July.
Applications close Mon 5 Aug.
Successful applicants will be notified by Tues 27 Aug.
Mentoring kick-off session (online) Tue 3 Sep.
Mentoring: 2x 45min meetings (online, dates agreed between mentor and mentee), should conclude by the end of Oct 2024.
Who is this for? You must:
- Be living in the south west of England (see our region map on the FAQs page here)
- Identify as someone from a lower socio-economic background*
- Be serious about your filmmaking career
- Not already have lead creative credits on a HETV or film production from the past three years, or already be employed full-time in the industry
- Be available for the mentoring kick-off session on Tue 3 Sep (time tbc)
- Be willing to commit to your mentoring meetings and be reliable, punctual and respectful of everyone’s time
** Further reading:
‘Working Class Creatives in film and TV at lowest level in a decade’: https://www.channel4.com/news/working-class-creatives-in-film-and-tv-at-lowest-level-in-decade
‘The Class Ceiling in the Creative Industries’: https://creativeaccess.org.uk/latest/new-research-the-class-ceiling-in-the-creative-industries
‘Bridge the Gap – Inside the Creative Industry’s Privilege Problem in Britain’: https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a46390581/bridge-the-gap-inside-the-creative-industrys-privilege-problem-in-britain/
