WFTV launches 2023 Four Nations Mentoring Scheme
Women in Film and TV (UK) has launched its 2023 Four Nations Mentoring Scheme, designed for mid-career women working in film, television and creative media looking to take their next big career step.
41 mentees have been selected from hundreds of applicants from across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to take part in the 2023 programme.
The scheme will run for six months, during which time each of the participants will be paired up with senior industry professionals for one-to-one mentoring alongside peer-to-peer training and bespoke career and personal development workshops.
This year’s mentors include STV Drama’s creative director Sarah Brown, producer Iain Canning, executive producer and head of drama at Working Title TV Surian Fletcher-Jones, founder of British Black List Akua Gyamfi, sound editor Nina Hartstone, BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip, the BBC’s chief content officer Charlotte Moore, production head and founder of training Adelina Orfila, producer Tessa Ross, Naked TV MD Fatima Salaria, BBC head of drama Lindsay Salt and Waddell Media MD & executive producer Jannine Waddell.
Netflix continues its support of the schemes in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales through its Fund for Creative Equity, which is dedicated to helping build new opportunities for underrepresented communities within entertainment.
The England scheme is supported by the BBC, Channel 4, EON Productions, Indigo Talent, Panalux and Panavision, Pinewood Studios, Sara Putt Associates, the Women’s Network at NBC Universal and UKTV.
Katie Bailiff, CEO of WFTV, said: "We’re delighted to launch the 2023 mentoring scheme - it’s going from strength to strength, and past outcomes show us that the scheme’s ingredients successfully unlock our mentees’ potential – enabling them to become the next generation of industry leaders."
Heading up the scheme is WFTV’s new director of mentoring Sarah Wright, former Group Director of Acquisitions and Sky Cinema, UK & ROI. Mentoring Producers Karen Kelly in Scotland, Hannah Corneck in Wales, and Sarah McCaffrey in Northern Ireland will continue to run the scheme in their dedicated nations.
Wright said: “I’m really excited to put together a sheer powerhouse of brilliant woman from all parts of the Film and TV business – from producers, directors and writers, to editors, costume designers, hair & make-up artists, cinematographers, casting producers, crew managers, marketeers, agents and stunt performers.
Together, with the help of their mentors and the brilliant programme of events that WFTV scheme offers, they will form a diverse and immensely talented cohort to be reckoned with in the industry.”
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