For over 25 years the Film Skills Fund has been committed to supporting the film workforce across the UK. By investing contributions from qualifying productions into tailored training, it helps build and develop a skilled and diverse workforce across behind-the camera roles. 2024/25 marked a record-breaking year for the Fund, receiving its highest contribution to date with just under £2 million being paid into the Fund from productions filmed in the UK. In turn, this enabled the continued investment in training specifically designed to meet the areas where its impact will be most keenly felt.
“This past year has been an amazing one for the Film Skills Fund.” Said Emma Turner, Head of Film, Animation and Future Skills at ScreenSkills. “Not only did it mark the 25th anniversary since its creation but it celebrated the landmark with a record year of investment into the fund of production contributions more than doubling. This underlines the trust, passion, and productive collaboration we share with industry, one that enables us to help grow a skilled, diverse, and versatile workforce through a wide range of training opportunities that meet production’s need.”
Contributions come from UK productions of all scales and budgets. Among them are three titles receiving their debuts in the Un Certain Regard selection at this year's Cannes Film Festival - Urchin, My Father’s Shadow and Pillion. In addition to paying in to the Fund each of the titles offered placements to candidates of the Film Trainee Finder programme, the Fund’s flagship new entrant initiative that pairs paid production placements with bespoke training and networking opportunities to those taking their first steps in film production.
It's an example of just one way in which the Fund works hand-in-hand with industry to establish pathways to progression for film crew at all career levels.
These programmes are shaped by the Fund’s council members, comprised of experienced industry professionals who are able to identify areas of skills shortage and where there is scope for development. Current council chair, producer Anita Overland, is set to step down from her position after four years at the helm. She said: “I’m incredibly proud of the work we were able to achieve and the opportunities we created through the Film Skills Fund. It has gone from strength to strength over the years that I have been involved and it’s been a privilege to be a part in that journey. Establishing key initiatives like Film Forward that aim to improve the diversity of those working at mid to senior positions or Make a Move that offer viable progression pathways to mid-level crew have been hugely impactful on the sector’s workforce and the results have been incredibly heartening. The ambition and innovation shown in recent programmes like the focus on celluloid filmmaking highlight the commitment of the Fund to continue to invest in areas where its impact will be most keenly felt. It’s fitting that this past year has seen record contributions to the Fund, a real testament to the work it has been able to do and the opportunities it has created. I look forward to seeing the continued impact of the Fund’s investments for years to come.”
Anita will be replaced by Head of Film &TV Production, Working Title Films, Sarah-Jane Wright, a longtime member of the council. She said: “It’s a great time to be stepping up as Chair of the Fund, a record year of investment is a reflection of the trust the industry has in the work it does across the UK and the hard work of Emma and her team. Already we are using those contributions to invest in further training opportunities to help grow a diverse and skilled workforce across departments. – new and existing programmes - A new partnership with Amazon Prime has enabled us to enhance the BIFA Springboard programme to further support the professional development of feature producers and by collaborating with the HETV Skills Fund for a newly evolved Trainee Finder programme, we are able to provide greater flexibility for those taking their very first steps in the industry by offering them paid production placements across both sectors.”
She will be joined by new deputy chair, Tori Parry, Head of Production, Film 4, with the pair using their experience to help shape returning and future training opportunities.
By balancing opportunities for new entrants with support for mid-level and experienced professionals, training created by the Fund has allowed freelancers and crew of all career stages to develop the tools required to progress in their field.
The BIFA Springboard programme provided candidates with guided training, networking opportunities and one-to-one mentorship to help build the skillset to advance their producing careers.
Blaise Singh was one of those to take part in the programme. He said: “Being part of BIFA Springboard has been a game-changer for me as a producer. The mentorship, finance insights, and career development sessions have given me the clarity and confidence to take my work to the next level. The programme helped me refine my approach as well as connected me with invaluable industry relationships. Highly recommended for any producer looking to build a sustainable career.”
Reflecting similar aims, a first time feature producer programme, delivered by training provider Mission Accomplished, provided practical advice across the production process from development through to sales and distribution.
Programme candidate Karima Sammout Kanellopoulou said: “I really liked the idea that there's a course for first time feature producers that went through everything I have been asking myself. The biggest things that prompted me to apply were the structure and the potential to meet other producers on my level. It was pivotal that the course was free as usually producers at the start of their career can rarely invest much money into trainings like this. It has been a great experience and I definitely would recommend the course to future first time feature producers.”
Underlining the Fund’s commitment to ensuring the industry is accessible to everyone, an evolved iteration of the Film Forward programme was designed in partnership with The Adobe Foundation to support deaf, disabled and neurodivergent mid-level professionals. Building on the success of the existing format, created to support mid-level professionals from under-represented backgrounds, five candidates with three or more years’ experience in post-production, VFX or virtual production have formed a new programme cohort and will now receive a four-week placement with one of four partnering companies.
Development producer Sara Missaghian-Schirazi is one of the five and will receive a placement with Final Pixel. She said: “Navigating a career in the creative industries is difficult for all freelancers, even more so for those of us facing barriers to progression due to inaccessible workplaces - as we know from data showing the stark underrepresentation of disabled people in the UK screen industries. Film Forward is an essential stepping stone towards equity, facilitating collaboration between outstanding companies and disabled talent to dismantle the mid-level career ceiling.”
The work of the Fund, across 25 years, has helped to nurture and support those looking to enter or progress within the film industry. By forming close relationships with industry partners it has been able to respond directly to the needs of productions and invest in opportunities that produce a workforce ready to help create the films that capture the imagination of the world’s audience.
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