Film London to push for 150 jobs for under represented group

Film London has unveiled a plan, Equal Access, to get film, TV and post-production companies to help 150 Londoners from its talent pool of under-represented communities into paid jobs in 2018.

Companies will be asked to commit to interviewing at least two candidates from Film London’s Equal Access talent pool for entry and junior-level positions, provide access to speakers and mentors for breakfast masterclasses and other learning events, work with Film London to develop and provide paid internships for new starters and develop and provide paid ‘returnships’ for talented parents and carers re-entering the industry.

In 2017, Film London worked with companies including The Night manager producer The Ink Factory, Tiger Aspect, Molinare, Kudos, Michelle Kass Associates, Big Talk and Twickenham Studios, helping broker paid roles for almost 100 individuals.

Work to date has included outreach work to engage with new entrants and early-career professionals; a scheme for parents returning to work after a career break (in partnership with Creative Skillset) and an initiative offering paid placements with the Ink Factory.

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “London’s screen industries are witnessing a golden moment, and this means there are more opportunities than ever before. Our Equal Access work seeks to capitalise on this boom but also to help sustain it, giving industry access to excellent below-the-line talent who might otherwise find themselves at a remove from the city’s studios, editing suites and post houses. We know that different stories, experiences and outlooks enrich the industry and the content we create, and by helping companies cast a wider net when it comes to recruitment we hope to play a part in maintaining our industry’s world-beating success. We have talent at our disposal and excellent contacts with training providers and academic institutions, so now we’re calling on even more film, TV and post-production companies to work with us to ensure London’s screen industries reflect the city itself.”