Sid Gentle Films is partnering with Rare Studio in Liverpool to sponsor a number of students in a shadowing scheme which will see students get first hand experience on TV productions including the forthcoming series Honey by Emma Moran.
In addition, Sid Gentle is sponsoring their students to bring a brand new production to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2026.
Rare Studio, run by Lindsay Inglesby, is a centre of excellence for the performing arts working with young people up to the age of 21 through an intensive part time and full-time provision. Rare was founded to ensure that any student with the talent to succeed would not be held back by their financial or personal circumstances.
Past students include writer and actor Ellis Howard (What It Feels Like For A Girl); BAFTA nominated Dylan Thomas Smith who won the Edinburgh Television Festival Best Breakthrough Performance for his role as Reece in Channel 4’s G’Wed and Mia Carragher who has just been announced as Katniss Everdeen in the new Hunger Games adaptation for stage in the West End.
Amber Sonko, Eleanor Hollywood, Leo Murphy,Sonko, graduates from the Rare acting programme, will be working on the Sid scheme for the next 12 months. They were chosen because of their exceptional contribution to the studios’ programs.
The Sid scheme will see a number of students funded to attend each of Sid Gentle’s productions for an immersive week. There will be additional bespoke introductions and meetings during their time with the show.
The Edinburgh production will be initiated, developed, and produced by students and staff at Rare with Sid Gentle funding the running cost, accommodation and living expenses.
Sally Woodward Gentle said “We are so impressed by Lindsay and the extraordinary school she has established. The students are exceptional, and we hope by assisting with access to the industry that we start to find ways for young people outside London and with no existing connection to the TV and Film world to find a way in. We also hope that this is just the beginning of a wider initiative to help change the profile of the industry.”
The initiative builds on Sid’s commitment to producer and director shadowing schemes that they have been running for several years and continue to support.
Lindsay Inglesby added “We are absolutely bowled over by the offer of Sid to mentor our students through this programme. Our young people train incredibly hard, day in day out ,and achieve the most remarkable progression into top drama schools and employment. This direct link into the industry feels like the final piece in the puzzle in ensuring our students have the best possible start to their professional lives, by gaining insight through real life interaction with the outstanding teams that make it all possible. We cannot thank Sally and the Sid team enough.”
Former student Ellis Howard said “I’m delighted to see Sid Gentle and Rare Studio come together to champion the next generation of creatives. This partnership is opening real doors, and I cannot wait to see what these brilliant young artists make at the Edinburgh Fringe and beyond”.
Sid Gentle Films is part of BBC Studios.
Photo caption: (From L to R) Lindsay Inglesby, Amber Sonko, Eleanor Hollywood, Leo Murphy, Sally Woodward Gentle and Pat Lees.
Pippa Considine
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