This summer, in partnership Bristol AF Productions, BFI NETWORK South West are relaunching New Voices: Step Up, a mentoring opportunity for filmmakers who identify as being from a lower socio-economic background* or who are currently unemployed and claiming benefits.
We created this scheme in response to a Channel 4 report that indicated that working-class creatives in film and TV are at the lowest level in a decade. In 2026 there is still a need to support talent who lack the opportunities 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 three 45-minute online meetings with film industry professionals over a four-month period (Sep 2026 – Jan 2027) The aim is to provide you with industry insights, tools, resources and plans for your next steps. The mentors you could be matched with include writer-director Paul Holbrook (Boys Like You), writer-director Dionne Edwards (Pretty Red Dress) and producer Sophie Reynolds (Surviving Earth). One more mentor will be announced soon.
We’re offering six places to early to mid-career level directors and screenwriters aged 18+ and not in full-time education who are pursuing careers in scripted filmmaking across live action, animation or immersive, and 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
- Navigating the production process
- Finding your voice as a filmmaker
Please note that this is not a script development scheme and any editorial support will be at the discretion of your mentor.
Timeline:
Applications open Tue 7 July.
Applications close Tue 11 Aug midday.
Successful applicants will be notified by Fri 28 Aug.
Mentoring kick-off session (online) Wed 2 Sep 18:00-19:30.
‘Ask us anything’ BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund session: Wed 11 Nov 12:00-13:00.
Mentoring: 3x 45min meetings (online, dates agreed between mentor and mentee), should conclude by the end of Jan 2027. Please note that mentoring sessions may take place in evenings or on weekends depending on you and your mentors’ availability.
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 committed to building a career in the film industry
- Not already have lead creative credits on a HETV or feature film production from the past three years, or already be employed full-time in the industry
- Not have been part of any previous New Voices cohorts
- Not have an active project funded by BFI NETWORK through the Short Film Fund or Early Development Fund
- Be available for the mentoring kick-off session on Wed 2 Sep 18:00 – 19:30 and the ‘Ask us anything’ BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund session Wed 11 Nov 12:00 – 13:00.
- Be willing to commit to your mentoring meetings and be reliable, punctual and respectful of everyone’s time
Make sure you check out these top tips before applying.
* A lower socio-economic background can be defined by parental occupation when you were aged 14, the type of school you attended at age 11 to 16, your eligibility for free school meals, and highest parental qualification.