First cohort of ScreenSkills’ Film Forward announced

The first cohort of ScreenSkills’ Film Forward career progression programme is ready to be matched with films for paid placements.

The new initiative is designed to create change in the UK film industry by supporting experienced Black, Asian or minority ethnic professionals to advance into more senior roles.

The 15 selected experienced professionals will be offered career coaching, the opportunity to be matched with a paid placement to help them step up in their careers and access to a bursary of up to £3,000 to help with expenses needed to enable career progress.

The talent pool was welcomed by Gareth Ellis-Unwin, ScreenSkills head of film and animation, in a virtual meet and greet session. The successful applicants are:

• Abid Kahn – stepping up from editor (across sectors) to editor (film)
• Adrienne Taylor – stepping up from boom operator to sound recordist 2^nd unit
• Akhilesh Patel – stepping up from Steadicam to B-camera operator
• Angela Effanga – stepping up from production coordinator to production manager
• Carmen Poulton – stepping up from costume supervisor to costume designer
• Chad Orororo – stepping up from sound designer (in-house) to assistant sound editor/designer (feature film)
• Elena Diaz – stepping up from hair and make-up (cross sectors) to hair and make-up for film
• Harfun Li – stepping up from Avid offline editor (TV) to assembly editor/1^st assistant editor (film)
• Jenny Stimpson – stepping up from production coordinator to production manager/line producer
• Kaljeven Singh – stepping up from editor (high-end TV) to assistant editor (feature film)
• Karen Lau – stepping up from production designer (outside the UK) to production coordinators/assistant designer
• Lorene Dewett – stepping up from assistant editor to editor
• M Aamir Riaz – stepping up from LX rigger/design (live events) to LX design (film)
• Mari Yamamura – stepping up from director of photography (returning drama/commercial) to DP 2^nd unit/camera operator (features)
• Riaz Meer – stepping up from editor (feature docs/television) to editor (film)

Ellis-Unwin said: “It was great to meet our first ever cohort of Film Forward. We are delighted to support them as they progress in their careers and encourage productions to expand their networks to a greater diversity of talent by working with any of the candidates.”