Training

Screenskills Animation Trainee Finder 2023-24

ScreenSkills Animation Trainee Finder is an entry-level placement scheme which places trainees on animation productions to ensure a continued supply of talent capable of making world-class creative animated content.

Participants become part of an industry-recognised group of trainees and receive exclusive access to paid training placements across the UK.

This is the second year that they are able to offer this programme thanks to the support of UK animation productions that have paid into the ScreenSkills Animation Skills Fund. Their previous edition ran in 2021 and was extended through to 2023. Places will be made available for up to 30 trainees for this edition of the programme.

Animation Trainee Finder 2023-24 is seeking trainees wanting to pursue a career in animation, particularly focusing on entry-level roles in the departments where there are identified shortage roles, namely 2D animators, 3D animators, storyboard artists, stop motion animators and, new for this year, production assistants, art department assistants and editors.

To find out more about the roles mentioned, please explore the ScreenSkills job profiles.

Criteria

Screenskills are looking for talented individuals from across the UK who have less than 12 months of paid experience in the animation industry. You must be able to clearly demonstrate a passion and commitment for a career in animation by providing evidence of one or more of the following:

• working on previous productions including short films
• looking for/finding work experience
• role-specific skills

To be eligible you must:

• be 18 or over
• live in the UK and have evidence of the right to work in the UK
• have completed full-time education by 1 November 2023 – please note you do not need a university degree to apply
• have less than 12 months’ relevant, paid experience in the animation industry
• make yourself available for placements offered to you during your time on the scheme
• be open and flexible to consider opportunities across the UK
• demonstrate an interest in and commitment to the animation industry and working in the roles identified
• provide a showreel/portfolio that demonstrates your skills and experience

Please note:

• Any training will be subject to the applicants providing evidence of their right to remain in the UK. Failure to provide appropriate documentation may result in the training placement being withdrawn
• All successful applicants must attend a mandatory two-day, online induction weekend on 28 and 29 October 2023 in preparation for the scheme

How to apply

You will need to have a ScreenSkills account to apply for Trainee Finder. If you do not already have an account, you can register from the homepage.

You will need to provide:

• Evidence of your experience through provision of a showreel/portfolio of your work (please see this guidance on producing a portfolio and further career starting advice)
• Two letters of recommendation. One of the letters must be from a current or past employer, or a tutor or academic, and must be supplied on headed paper and saved as a PDF.

To apply for Animation Trainee Finder, click on the ‘apply‘ button.

If you require an alternative format for the application, or have any questions about the programme, please contact us as soon as possible at animationtraineefinder@screenskills.com.

Key Dates

Some of these dates may be subject to change.

• 28 August 2023 – recruitment opens.
• 25 September – recruitment closes.
• 13 October – candidates will be notified if they are invited to interview.
• w/c 16th October – interviews.
• 25 October – successful candidates will be notified if they have been selected.
• 28 & 29 October – induction bootcamp online.
• 30 October – program starts, productions have the option to begin reviewing candidates for placements.
• Spring/Summer 2024 – networking event.
• 30 October 2024 – Trainee Finder 23/24 programme ends.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

4Skills Business Boost

Apply now for the opportunity to access essential support to accelerate your company.

4Skills and 4Producers have joined forces to launch Business Boost – a targeted intervention to help small to medium sized Nations and Regions indies to thrive and adapt to meet the challenges of the current economic climate.

They are acutely aware of the challenges facing unscripted indies and are keen to help companies navigate these difficult waters. Business Boost is an opportunity to access vital training and expertise for your company to support any changes and adaptions needed to succeed.

What’s on offer?

Up to 6 indies will be selected to receive bespoke expert training and consultancy. Each indie will take part in a detailed business assessment session with a business consultant, Jen Topping, who will help the indie to identify their critical business needs.

Each indie will then receive the following package of support:

• Funding to cover a package of training, expert advice and other support (see ‘What can the funding cover?’ below)
• C4 distribution, IP sales and acquisitions expertise from Polly Scates, Senior Acquisitions Manager at Channel 4
• Access to the 4Producers, 4Skills, Indie Growth Fund and other teams as needed

What can the funding cover?

The package of support will be bespoke for each company, based on needs identified by the company through assessment with the business advisor. The budget will be drafted by the company with the support of the business advisor and must be agreed with the Channel 4 project team.

Support may include a combination of any of the following, and must include a skills element:

• Access to paid or free skills training courses for company leaders and their teams.
• Consultancy with industry experts in fields relating to business sustainability, eg finance, strategy, HR.
• Freelance support to help the indie generate additional business, eg development producers, production finance support.
• Training and other costs associated with changes to the roles or tasks of existing staff as part of changes to the company’s structure or processes.
• Costs associated with participating in the Business Boost project, including staff time spent engaging with the support.
• Access to business intelligence, data and markets.

Who can apply?

To participate, indies must accept the Terms and Conditions and must be:

• Based in the Nations and Regions.
• An existing supplier, with at least one single commissioned by Channel 4.
• An employer, with between 3 and 15 staff.
• A small to medium company with a turnover under £6m.
• Working predominantly in unscripted content.

Application and selection

Companies can apply through the online application form. From all eligible applications, the indies that most clearly demonstrate their suitability against the following criteria will be selected:

• Strong interest in exploring a range of routes to improve the sustainability of the company.
• Commitment to, and ability to benefit from, skills and training within the company.
• A Channel 4 supplier with a strong track record in unscripted content and a strong slate of ideas.

Key Dates

Some of these dates may be subject to change.

• 18th September, 9am – deadline for applications
• 22nd September – companies selected
• Late September / early October – Business consultancy and start of support
• June 2024 – Package of support completed

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

BFI NETWORK x Film Hub Midlands Stories to Shorts: Script Development Programme 2023

Have an idea for a short film and want to develop it into a script?

The aim of this programme is to help writers and writer/directors develop an early-stage idea for a short film into a script over the course of two months.

They will select up to ten writers based in the Midlands to attend sessions online, meeting regularly to collaboratively develop their short film narratives while working alongside a script editor to take their stories ideas to completed drafts.

Over 9 weeks, selected writers will receive training sessions from screenwriter and script Editor Laura Jayne Tunbridge, take part in peer sharing sessions led by BFI NETWORK Talent Executives and receive 1 to 1 sessions with an assigned script editor to develop their short film script drafts.

You will need to be able to give 1.5 hours a week over 9 weeks to the programme and additional writing time.

The deadline to apply to the programme is Friday 8th September 2023 at 23:59.

Who can apply?

Participation in the BFI NETWORK x Film Hub Midlands Short Film Development Programme is free and open to writers working in any creative discipline who have an idea for a short film up to ten minutes in length.

• Be able to be told in 10-minutes of screen time
• Have limited characters and locations to increase production viability
• Tell a story with a beginning, middle and end.

They will select up to ten writers based in the Midlands from submitted applications. With support from BFI Film Academy Plus delivered by Film Hub Midlands, four places on the programme will be held for emerging writers aged 18-26 from the Midlands.

Before you apply, please note:

• BFI NETWORK and Film Hub Midlands welcome applications from individuals as well as co-writing teams. You do not need to be working with a producer or director in order to apply.
• You must be based in the Midlands region (as defined by the BFI) and able to commit to attending a range of online writing and development sessions, as well as completing assigned writing work between meetings.
• Your script ideas must be original e.g. not based on existing novels, short stories or other literary works.
• This programme is for early short film script ideas, not ideas that are already in script form.
• Acceptance to this programme does not guarantee success in receiving BFI NETWORK Short Film Funding, due to reopen in early 2024
• The programme is free and will remain online.
• The full programme schedule is to be confirmed.

How to apply

To apply, complete the online application form linked HERE.

The form asks you to share some information about yourself, your creative background, your idea for your short, who inspires you, and what you would like to achieve on this programme.

If you have any additional questions about this opportunity, please contact Film Hub Midlands at bfinetwork@filmhubmidlands.org

Key Dates

Some of these dates may be subject to change.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

PGGB Introduction to Production Manager Programme

The Production Guild of Great Britain are thrilled to open applications for the Introduction to Production Manager (scripted) Programme, supported by Entertainment Partners.

The course will commence on Monday 18th September 2023, and runs across five consecutive days, finishing Friday 22nd September 2023, in Cardiff, Wales. These dates are fixed so please only apply if you are able to commit to the full five days training.

This fully subsidised course forms part of PGGB’s Talent Development Fund, supported by both Entertainment Partners and Netflix who have each pledged £250k ($308k).

Course Overview

This programme will support those transitioning to Production Managers and enable them to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to step up. It will also aid new production managers to increase their confidence and broaden their knowledge, filling any skills gaps that may have become apparent as they have stepped up. This training programme will build upon existing knowledge with newly acquired skills, taught by established production managers and production experts with specialist knowledge.

During this training participants will:

• gain clear insight and understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Production Manager
• be trained and guided by experienced and established production managers and experts
• benefit from mentorship and guidance from both trainers, the PGGB and their peers

This training scheme will build upon existing knowledge with newly acquired skills, and will cover:

• Key responsibilities of a production manager:
• Organising the production office
• Post Production
• Interviews, recruitment and inclusivity
• Safeguarding, discrimination, harassment & bullying
• Leadership & Management
• Entertainment Partners software including Movie Magic Budgeting, Movie Magic Scheduling and Production Portal

Key Dates

• Application deadline –  9am Monday 4th September 2023.
• Course dates – Monday 18th – Friday 22nd September 2023, each day will be from 09.30am to 17:00hrs.

This course will be held in person in Cardiff, Wales.

Who is the course aimed at?

This five-day course is designed for Junior Production Managers looking to grow their confidence and efficiency, and Production Coordinators who wish to progress their careers to the next level and aims to support their transition to Production Manager with assurance.

This course is recommended for Junior Production Managers who have held this position on at least two credits or Production Coordinators who have held at least three credits, who are ready to step up into the role of Production Manager.

How to apply

By application form only – Complete the short form at the bottom of the web page for access to the application pack.

If you are struggling to access the application pack, please contact pg@productionguild.com or phone +44 (0)203 427 4400.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 9am Monday 4th September 2023.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition – TV Drama 2023

The BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition, which runs twice a year, calls submissions for Film, Television Drama, Children, Family & YA Media, and Television Comedy scripts. In 2023, they will be running Children, Family & YA Media and Television Drama.

Following a blind judging process, selected script extracts are performed by a professional cast to an audience of producers, development executives, directors, actors and literary agents, aiming to give a platform to emerging writing talent from across the country.

The benefits for a writer include: hearing their work read by professional actors, a development-focused discussion generated by the readings, feedback and advice from experienced industry members and an invaluable method to test out new concepts and material on an audience.

Key Dates

• Applications open –  Wednesday 26 July 2023.
• Bursary application deadline – 17:00 BST, Wednesday 6 September 2023.
• Applications close – 17:00 BST, Monday 18th September 2023.
• Showcase Event – February 2024.

How to apply

Go to apply.bafta.org/entrant. Select ‘Register’, and register a new account, or login if you have previously used BAFTA’s application portal. Once you have registered or logged in, go to the ‘Create Application’ tab. Find ‘BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition – Select relevant form’. Select ‘Create a new application’ and this will take you to the application form.

The Guidelines – Terms and Conditions

Please read the terms and conditions carefully. All answers are here. They also serve as a guide to to apply including the submission materials. You must be a UK resident for 2 years or UK passport holder.

Bursary Applicants

There are a limited number of free entries to the competitions. If you can’t afford the fee apply for the bursary. Click here – note entry closes 10 days before the closing date. You have 24 hours to accept and must submit your materials.

Status updates and reports

All Writers: Are sent an acknowledgement of their entry by email on completion of application. You will not hear from BAFTA again until one month before the showcase date. Showcased writers are always contacted at the same time. Reports: Are sent via WeTransfer in the week leading up to the event date.

Prizes

Three winners of the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Initiative get: A fantastic Industry showcase with professional actors and directors, industry introductions, access to bespoke masterclasses and a tailored career planning and profile building session to provide support in navigating the industry.

Short Listed Writers whose work makes it to the final stage will be announced on the Rocliffe Newsletter and on the event handout available on the BAFTA website.

For any further queries feel free to contact BAFTA Rocliffe, they’ll happily respond. Requests and comments on social media will be replied to but not as quickly.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Grierson DocLab In Focus: Production Management 2023

The Grierson Trust’s Grierson DocLab In Focus: Production Management programme, run in partnership with Netflix, is back for a third year.

The programme offers eight places to UK-based people aged 18+ (with no upper age limit) who have the transferable skills, experience and passion to pursue a career in documentary production management.

Successful candidates will receive:

• Intensive training (six days in-person training in London, with additional online sessions).
• A paid, three-month placement, working on a Netflix documentary production.
• Mentoring by an industry mentor.
• Continued support from The Grierson Trust.

Who should apply

What it covers

Training

This programme will provide mid-level freelancers across three years with:

• The intensive training programme is designed to kick-start the production management careers of successful candidates.
• Taking place over six days in-person at Netflix’s offices in central London, the training will be led by industry professional Birte Pederson.
• Training will cover:
  • the documentary genre and formats
  • budgeting
  • cashflows and production paperwork
  • health and safety and risk assessments
  • demystifying post-production
  • jargon-busting
  • managing and looking after personnel
  • the importance of diversity and inclusion on a production
  • exploring when to step up to the next level in your career.
• As the programme is focused on career changers who may not be familiar with the sector, support will be provided to fill knowledge gaps.
• The training will also feature industry speakers delivering workshops, outlining case studies and answering trainee questions.

Placements

• The training will prepare each successful applicant for a placement working on a Netflix documentary production, which will last three months.
• As this is a trainee programme, each placement will be for a new entrant position, starting in the role of Production Secretary.
• Each placement will be different, and will be in person, based at based at the production company the trainee is matched with.
• For those with carer or parental responsibilities with needs around working patterns, discussions will be on a case-by-case basis as to how to best manage for both the individual and the production company.

Mentorships

• Each trainee will be matched with an industry mentor to provide additional support on their journey into the world of production management.
• Meeting once a month over consecutive six months, the trainee and mentor will work together on the former’s career goals, with the mentor acting as a critical friend to the trainee, providing advice on how to approach any work-related questions.

Ongoing Support

• Coupled with ongoing support from The Trust, trainees will have access to networking events (held online and in-person), plus professional development opportunities through a programme of webinars.
• Trainees will also be invited to the prestigious Grierson Awards in 2024 to network with industry guests. All trainees will then join the Grierson DocLab Alumni group for continued support through the network.

Key Dates

• Applications open – Thursday 27th July 2023.
• Information webinar – 6-7pm, Wednesday 9th August 2023.
• Applications close – 5pm, Friday 22nd September 2023.
• Video call interviews – 19th & 20th October 2023.
• In person training sessions in central London (if you are based outside of Greater London area, they will arrange accommodation) – 27th November – 2nd December 2023.
• Online training sessions – ad-hoc evenings throughout December 2023 and January 2024.
• Timing of your placements is dependent on several factors, and at this stage, they ask that you are available during a February 2024 – February 2025 window.

How to apply

Before starting your application, please read the application questions, guidance, and FAQs. If you have any further questions you can join the information session on Wednesday 9th Aug, 6-7pm. Once you have done so, complete the online application and upload your CV as a PDF file. Please ensure you have the name and email addresses of your two references ready on applying.

If you have accessibility requirements, would like help with your application due to a disability, prefer to submit your application answers via video or audio rather than written form, or have any other reasonable adjustments, please email training@griersontrust.org.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 22 September 2023 at 5pm.

If you have a question or query not answered on the Grierson Trust website or the guidance and FAQs document, please email: training@griersontrust.org

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

High-end TV Leaders of Tomorrow 2023

The ScreenSkills High-end TV Leaders of Tomorrow programme is a three-year programme focused on providing comprehensive support to mid-level professionals working in high-end TV (HETV).

It is designed to give them the tools to progress to head of department, above the line, or other senior decision-making leadership roles in the future.

Who it’s for

What it covers

This programme will provide mid-level freelancers across three years with:

• A mentor or champion.
• Access to a high-end TV professionals pool, made up of industry experts, for tailored one-to-one support, advice and expertise.
• Up to three part-funded placements per year for up to three years.
• Targeted grade and skills specific bespoke training.
• Funding towards relevant equipment or software.
• A range of coaching, leadership and management training sessions.
• PR exposure, industry networking opportunities and introductions.

Key Dates

• Applications open – Thursday 6th July 2023.
• Applications close – Sunday 13th August 2023.
• All candidates who will be invited to attend an interview will be notified by 30 September 2023.
• All candidates will be notified of the success of their application by 15 November 2023.

How to apply

You will need to have a ScreenSkills account to apply for High-end TV Leaders of Tomorrow. If you do not already have an account, follow this link to register.

To apply for the High-end TV Leaders of Tomorrow programme, click on the ‘apply now‘ button.

If you require an alternative format for the application please contact Screenskills as soon as possible at leadersoftomorrow@screenskills.com.

Criteria:

• Individuals must be a freelancer and not in permanent employment (HETV unscripted professionals on fixed-term contracts are welcome).
• Candidates must currently be in a mid-level role and able to evidence at least two high-end TV credits in this role.
• Candidates must provide contact details (email address and phone) of the nominator who has agreed to nominate you to apply for the programme so that Screenskills can contact them.
• The individual must have a long term focus to step up to a senior, decision making role.
• Applicants will be required to outline their career path and expectations in their application.
• If shortlisted, candidates must provide one other reference, in addition to the person who nominated them.
• Screenskills particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups, because they are committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce as well as individuals based across the UK.

ScreenSkills is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of its work.

Applicants must:

• Live in the UK and have evidence of the right to work in the UK.
• Make themselves available for placements offered to them during their time on the programme.
• Be open and flexible to consider opportunities across the UK.
• Make themselves available for press and PR opportunities across the three years if successfully offered a place on the programme.

Please note:

The High-end TV Leaders of Tomorrow team will shortlist applicants based on their nomination, application, ScreenSkills profile and CV.

Successful applicants will be invited to take part in an interview, likely over Zoom or on the phone, with members of the HETV Leaders of Tomorrow team and a relevant industry professional.

If unsuccessful in getting to interview stage, please note that due to the volume of applications Screenskills receive, they will be unable to provide individual feedback.

Due to the high demand for places on Leaders of Tomorrow, Screenskills reserve the right to take into account the previous support you have received from the High-end TV Skills Fund as they wish to ensure their funding supports as many mid-level crew as possible.

ScreenSkills is an equal opportunities training provider. All applicants are judged solely on their ability to do the placement for which they are applying. However, where applicants are equally qualified, in order to address under-representation in the industry, Screenskills may consider a protected characteristic to determine who should be appointed. Screenskills consider that this positive action would be a proportionate means of achieving their legitimate aim, namely to improve diversity in the industry, and is compliant with the Equality Act 2010.

In order that Screenskills can comply with their reporting obligations, that they can appropriately monitor their data, and to inform their recruitment decisions in relation to positive action (described above), you are requested to provide this information on your ScreenSkills profile, which will be treated in the strictest confidence. Screenskills will ask for explicit consent of this on the application. 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Film Forward

Film Forward is designed to create change in the UK film industry by supporting experienced Black and Asian professionals to advance to more senior roles.

The programme matches 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.

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.

The programme outline

Key Dates

• Applications open – 00:00 on Monday 24 July 2023.
• Applications close – 23.59 on Monday 21 August 2023.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a virtual meeting with a ScreenSkills panel to go over application forms.
• Successful candidates notified – no later than Friday 20 October 2023.

How to apply

Eligible applicants should be Black or Asian professionals with 5+ years of experience in their chosen department. More information on Screenskills commitment to diversity and inclusion in the screen industries can be found here. Ethnicity information from the ScreenSkills profiles of applicants will be reviewed to check eligibility, so applicants must ensure that their ScreenSkills profile is accurate and up to date. Once eligibility is confirmed, this information will not be accessed again.

Any questions regarding eligibility for the Film Forward programme, or objections to the use of individual ethnic diversity information as part of the programme, can be forwarded to film.team@screenskills.com.

This year Film Forward will support professionals working in the following below-the-line skills grades:

• accounts
• art department
• assistant director
• costume
• hair and make-up
• locations
• production

In-house, writing and development roles are not eligible for this programme.

Applicants must have 5+ years of experience in a below-the-line role in film (or a very closely related industry such as HETV). Applicants must show a clear desire to continue their career in the film industry. Applicants should be ready to make their next move within their area of expertise. Applicants must be prepared to be flexible with dates and locations of potential placements.

You will need a ScreenSkills profile to apply to Film Forward. If you do not already have a profile, you can register here.

To apply for Film Forward, click on the ‘apply now‘ button above.

If you require an alternative format for the application, or have any questions about the programme, please contact Screenskills as soon as possible at film.team@screenskills.com 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Future Voices

To celebrate Apples and Snakes’ 40th anniversary, they’re launching Future Voices – a project that seeks to nurture and grow emerging talent from across England.

They have invited leading spoken word artists and filmmakers to run a jam-packed masterclass programme, available to 40 emerging poets online. The aim of the programme is for participants to produce a short poetic film (one minute long) to accompany a new poem about their ‘world’ – their life, local environment or city. At the end of the project, these films will be shared and celebrated at small live events and an online showcase.

Each of the 40 selected poets will receive a commission of £500 for taking part and producing their film and poem. The programme will happen online, apart from a final celebration event at a local hub. To take part, you will need WiFi connection, a recording device (most smartphones will be fine for this) and access to Zoom.

The programme outline

Key Dates

Application process

• Applications open – Monday 17th July 2023.
• Applications close – 10am Monday 7th August 2023.
• Applicants notified on their status – within three weeks of the closing date.
• Cohort announcement /Apples and Snakes 41st anniversary – Monday 2nd October 2023.

Programme dates

• Induction event online – 9th October 2023
• Masterclasses will run once per week from week beginning October 9th until week beginning November 27th. These will most likely be on Mondays and/or Tuesday evenings around 6.30-8pm. This will be confirmed shortly but do get in touch if unsure.
• Work on finishing the films – December 2023 – mid January 2024.
• Celebration event at your local partner organsation’s hub – February 2024, final date TBC.
• Online symposium –  28th February 2024.

How to apply

Apply online using this application form: apply online. Applications close on Mon 7 Aug   10:00 am.

You will be asked to include a 2 min video of yourself and answer some questions on why you would like to join. This is not a C.V – it’s a way for us to get to know you and if this programme is suitable.

Please do not send in applications via email or on socials, they will only consider applications through the link above.

Any questions, please email grace@applesandsnakes.org

Apples and Snakes is committed to combating ableism and providing access for everybody. If you are offered a place on the programme, they will send you an access rider to fill out and sign. You can leave it blank if you wish. This will be communicated with the facilitator and access arrangements will be confirmed on the rider, so both parties have a signed record of access needs and agreements.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

BFI Network Creative Producer Lab 2023

Creative Producer Lab returns for its 5th year of developing the next generation of Producers from the Midlands and the North.

Producers are always in demand, and good ones are invaluable to the industry. They’re the people who identify talent, have a creative input to telling stories, raise finance and, most importantly, get things made. One of the questions they most often get asked at Film Hub Midlands is: “Where can I find a good producer?” Creative Producer Lab aims to answer that question by developing the region’s next generation of producing talent.

Running from late September and throughout October, the Lab takes eight early-career filmmakers from the North, and eight from the Midlands, through a 6-week training programme. Sessions occur twice weekly and cover topics such as producing fundamentals, building a slate, budgeting and scheduling, pre-production, shooting, post-production, casting and distribution.

Creative Producer Lab is delivered through a combination of in-person mixer events, online sessions and visits to facilities houses, and culminates in an industry day at Leeds International Film Festival. The course is led by producers Roxy McKenna and Radha Bhandari (Public Dreams Ltd), and features sessions delivered by professionals working across the film industry.

Participants will leave the programme with a foundation in all aspects of managing a production, an expanded network of peers, and the skills they need to impact the industry.

Who’s it for?

They’re looking for anyone with an interest in film producing.

The ideal Creative Producer Lab candidate will have good communication skills, a commitment to storytelling and the ability to work collaboratively.

Applicants might be working in grassroots filmmaking and looking to take the next step in their careers. You may be transitioning from working in the commercial or corporate sector. Or you may have relevant experience in another art form, or be working as a production coordinator or assistant in production.

This isn’t exhaustive, though – if you’re interested in producing, they’d welcome an application.

Creative Producer Lab is not a programme for people primarily interested in writing and/or directing. Although they’re open to people moving over from those roles, they’re looking for people who genuinely desire to be a Producer.

To be eligible for the Creative Producer Lab, you must:

• Have an interest in producing the work of others
• Be over 18 and not in full-time education
• Have a passion for cinema and an idea about what stories you want to tell
• Be based in the North of England or the Midlands
• Be able to attend the majority of sessions outlined in the programme timeline at the bottom of this page

Participation in Creative Producer Lab is free. Film Hub North and Film Hub Midlands will cover travel costs to in-person events in Sheffield and Leeds.

How to apply

To apply, complete the online application form linked HERE.

The form asks you to share some information about yourself, your creative background, why you want to be a Producer and what kind of films you want to make.

If you’d like to prepare offline before completing the online form, they’ve compiled a downloadable list of the questions asked for reference. For some questions, there is the option to answer via a written response or an audio or video recording. If you’d prefer to answer via audio/video, upload the relevant file when prompted.

Key Dates

Some of these dates may be subject to change.

• Applications open – 21st July 2023.
• Online information session – Wednesday 2nd August 2023 at 12:00, sign up HERE.
• Applications close – Monday 14th August 2023 at 17:00.
• Applicants notified of decisions  – Friday 25th August 2023.
• Mixer and in-person session in Sheffield – Thursday 28th September 2023.
• Talks programme takes place Tuesday and Thursday evenings weekly via Zoom – Tuesday 3rd October – Tuesday 31st October 2023.
• Industry Day at Leeds International Film Festival – Wednesday 8th November 2023.

For any queries, send an email with the subject line “CREATIVE PRODUCER LAB APPLICATION” to bfinetwork@filmhubnorth.org.uk.

Creative Producer Lab is hosted by Film Hub North and Film Hub Midlands, and was originally set up with Diploid Productions and Redbag Pictures.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.