ScreenSkills Backs Course Seeking Next Generation Of Disabled Directors, Writers & Producers

EXCLUSIVE: ScreenSkills has backed a course to discover the next generation of disabled directors, writers and producers.

The UK training body has joined forces with film training and production specialist 104 Films on the course, which kicks off today.

The participants will have a week of workshops and training with top industry figures including BAFTA-longlisted disabled filmmaker Ella Glendining, BBC Film’s Kristin Irving, Film4’s Max Park, Mia Bayes from the BFI and Netflix’s Bradley Quirk.

The training program is funded by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions. A scaled-down version ran in 2022 but this is the first in person.

The move comes with the UK industry committing to various programs in order to boost disability representation. The newly-formed TV Access Project is targeting no disabled talent to feel excluded by 2030.

Emma Turner, Head of Film CPD and Future Skills at ScreenSkills, said: “The blend of expert guidance and practical training helps provide a crucial pathway for disabled talent embarking on their first features who may otherwise not have had the opportunity. It’s a program that we’re incredibly proud to support and underlines the commitment of the Film Skills Fund to help develop grass-roots filmmakers and enable diverse storytellers to bring their visions to screens.”

A statement from 104 Films added: “There is an extraordinary pool of disabled talent and schemes such as this will help foreground that talent and push them forward into the innovative filmmakers of tomorrow.”

The participants are:

Jack Goessens, writer/director

Anna Keeley, producer

Samuel Dore, director

Annie Jenkins, writer/director

Soham Kundu, Director

B Welby, writer/Director

Tommy Jessop, producer/writer/director.

Hana Keegan, writer/director