Dear freelancer,
If you're reading this, you're among the first people to hear from Action for Freelancers (AfF) directly. We've been heads-down working since last year - and the genuinely brilliant thing is that the industry is working with us. Nearly 50 partners: broadcasters, streamers, indies, other industry organisations, and most crucially, freelancers like you.
AfF is a broadcaster and indie-funded initiative driving practical change across five workstreams: Recruitment, Working Conditions, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Skills, Training & Professional Development, and Communication, Information & Engagement. Find out more at actionforfreelancers.org.uk
Free Festivals for Freelancers - London & Glasgow
Two free festivals in the next few weeks - London and Glasgow - in partnership with TV Mindset, Nest Productions, and headline sponsor Amazon Prime. The ballot is now closed, but watch our socials as we hope to realease rush tickets.
We’re excited to say the Keynote will be given by Emile Nawagamuwa, Commissioning Editor, Factual - UKTV. There will also be a breakout space with training workshops, stalls from industry partners and networking opportunities (with talent managers/indie reps).
→ See the full line-up for London here
AfF Meets... Kate Phillips, Chief Content Officer, BBC
We're launching a new series of events “AfF Meets...” and we're starting as we mean to go on.
Our first guest is Kate Phillips, Chief Content Officer at the BBC - one of the most influential figures in UK television. It will be a discussion and a chance to put your questions to her, in central London on Tuesday 24th June, 9:45am - 12:00pm. Places are by ballot to ensure a fair mix of roles, career stages, and regions.
Work-life boundaries - our first guidance
WhatsApp messages in your evening? Emails over the weekend?
We'll soon be launching our first piece of guidance with industry partners on out-of-hours communication and protecting personal time. Smaller teams and tighter schedules put the pressure on, and we want to see real boundaries in place. More in the next newsletter - and watch our socials for the announcement.
Edinburgh TV Festival - Subsidised Day Passes for Freelancers
We're working with the Edinburgh TV Festival to offer out-of-work freelancers subsidised day passes - 100 per day at £52 + VAT - for Wednesday 26th or Thursday 27th August 2026. A significant discount on the usual rate. Passes are limited, so don't sit on it. There may be bursaries available through industry organisations to help with travel and accommodation - worth checking if you're eligible.
AfF will be there - and we'll report back after.
Film & TV Charity: Two Things Worth Your Time
The FTVC are running webinars on Mentally Healthy Productions and want to hear from freelancers directly. AfF is housed by the charity, and our working group freelancers gave early feedback at the MHP launch earlier this year.
→ Find out more and sign up here
The FTVC's 2026 Looking Glass Survey is also live. Every response - from runner to CEO - strengthens the case for change. Takes a few minutes, and please share it widely.
→ https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/research-impact/reports/looking-glass-survey-2026/
If you've got this far - thanks. More to come soon, and you're part of what we're building.
As a freelancer of over 20 years, I'm always happy to hear from you: info@actionforfreelancers.org.uk
Thank you for being with us.
P.S. If you don't already subscribe, make sure you don't miss the next newsletter here by subscribing.