The David Lyle Foundation, the not-for-profit organisation that helps young executives to build successful careers in the international television business, has announced the first ever winners of its annual scholarship programme.
Gabriella Lafor, production secretary at Argonon owned indie Like A Shot and Chris Sanders, senior development executive at UK’s Zig Zag Productions will embark on the year-long scholarship initiative in 2020.
The David Lyle Foundation awards two annual scholarships, each valued at US$10,000, to promising young entertainment-industry executives. Lafor and Sanders will receive a one-year programme of education and development designed to fast-track their understanding of the global television-content business. They will then document their year-long journey with a series of posts on the Foundation website.
Lafor said: ‘I’m all about revolution; be that in the nature and platforms of the content we produce, to challenging the incumbent systems and status quo with the aim of making things better for all of us. My focus is on learning how to include and expand the opportunities in emerging territories, particularly on the African continent, combined with exploring the opportunities digital production and distribution provide.’
Sanders said: ‘…above all, I’m really grateful for this, I’ve been in TV around two and a half years and I see this as a golden ticket to best learn how to craft and develop formats. I got into TV as work experience, bugging Zig Zag until they let me do 2 weeks on reception. That’s been the most valuable, to start at the very bottom and learn all aspects of the business and as my boss was mentored by David Lyle himself, we’re all especially delighted that his legacy lives on in this way.’
Staff Reporter
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