SEVEN women based in Northern Ireland have been selected to take part in this year’s Women in Film and TV Four Nations mentoring scheme, sponsored by Netflix.
It is designed for mid-career women working in film, television and creative media looking to take that next big step in their career.
The seven - factual producer Ally Thompson, drama producer Leon McGeown-Fee, director and writer Lisa Keogh, assistant camera Lucy Martin, senior digital development executive Maeve McLoughlin, drama production coordinator Rachel Hull, and costume designer Zjena Glamocanin - were chosen from hundreds of applicants from across the UK.
They will join 34 mentees for an intensive six month programme which pairs each of the participants alongside senior industry professionals for one-to-one mentoring, as well as bespoke careers and personal development training.
Netflix continues its support of the scheme through its Fund for Creative Equity, which is dedicated to helping build new opportunities for underrepresented communities within entertainment.?
Sarah McCaffrey, WFTV mentoring producer for Northern Ireland, said: “This is the fourth year we have run the prestigious scheme here, and it is getting more and more competitive each year to secure a place given the its impressive reputation in the industry.
“We are grateful to our amazing mentors this year, all industry professionals at the top of their profession who have agreed to give so generously of their time to support the next generation of creative women working in this competitive industry.
“This year’s mentors include Jannine Waddell, Charlotte Moore, David H Steinberg, Sally Anne Massimini, Aoife McArdle, Jennifer Atcheson, Marie-Therese Mackle, Sharon Long and Mary Jane Reyner. We have an amazing cohort of women from Northern Ireland taking part and I look forward to working with them to assist them achieve their career ambitions in the coming months.”
Katie Bailiff, chief executive of WFTV, said: “The scheme is going from strength to strength, and past outcomes show us that it successfully unlock our mentees’ potential, enabling them to become the next generation of industry leaders."
Heading up the scheme is WFTV’s new director of mentoring Sarah Wright, former group director of acquisitions at Sky Cinema, UK & RoI.
She said: “I’m really excited to put together a sheer powerhouse of brilliant woman from all parts of the film and TV business – from producers, directors and writers, to editors, costume designers, hair & make-up artists, cinematographers, casting producers, crew managers, marketeers, agents and stunt performers.
“Together, with the help of their mentors and the brilliant programme of events that WFTV scheme offers, they will form a diverse and immensely talented cohort to be reckoned with in the industry.”
