The partnership between ScreenSkills and Adobe marks a significant step towards inclusivity in the screen industries.
- The Film Forward programme aims to break down barriers for deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent professionals in virtual production, post-production, and VFX.
- This initiative focuses on providing hands-on experience, mentoring, and network expansion for career advancement.
- Leading companies in the industry are participating, offering valuable opportunities to underrepresented groups.
- The initiative strives to enhance diversity at senior levels, ensuring the industry gains from a variety of talents.
ScreenSkills and Adobe have joined forces to launch the third Film Forward programme, targeting mid-level professionals who are deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent (DDN). Their aim is to dismantle barriers within the virtual production, post-production, and VFX sectors of the screen industries. Supporting diverse talent is crucial for the future success of the industry, said Anita Overland of the Film Skills Council. This initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to increasing inclusivity and enabling underrepresented groups to thrive in senior roles.
Building on past successes, this programme focuses on creating paid placements that offer practical experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Those selected will work with leading firms such as Bild Studios, Final Pixel, Framestore, and Molinare. This exposure aims to equip participants for more senior roles, advancing their careers significantly.
The programme is designed for five professionals from the DDN community with a minimum of three years’ experience in relevant roles. The four-week paid placement provides direct experience with in-house teams, enhancing career development.
Emma Turner, head of the Film Skills Fund, asserted, This iteration is pivotal in fostering inclusion within growing industry sectors. Emphasising that targeting DDN professionals in these specific domains helps level the playing field and acknowledges the fast-paced changes in digital content production and the necessary skill adaptation.
Research highlights the ongoing lack of DDN representation in the film and television industry. Film Forward seeks to address this disparity through meaningful routes for career progression, as part of ScreenSkills’ broader commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The collaboration with Adobe and industry leaders guarantees participants gain valuable hands-on experience. This joint effort is a significant step in creating a more diverse and inclusive future for the screen industries, breaking down traditional barriers and recognising the value of diverse talent.
The collaboration between ScreenSkills and Adobe represents a pivotal development towards inclusivity, fostering a richer and more diverse screen industry.
