Author: North East Screen

Screen Alliance North, a BFI skills cluster for the North of England, is joining forces to support Women in Film and TV’s highly successful and popular screen industry mentoring scheme, enhancing careers of seven women from the North across a variety of film and TV roles.

The mentoring scheme now in its 14th year is open to mid-career women in film, television, and digital media. The six-month scheme offers one-to-one mentoring with senior industry professionals, peer-to-peer training, and bespoke career development workshops.

The programme is designed for women looking to take a significant step in their career. Seven women will be selected from the North of England following a detailed selection process. Each mentee will be paired with a relevant industry professional to guide and support them through the mentorship programme.

Screen Alliance North has funded four places for women in below-the-line roles. Additionally, its partners Liverpool Film Office, North East Screen, and Screen Manchester, have provided funding for three more places for above-the-line roles, ensuring comprehensive support for women in the industry across the North.

Alongside funding an additional mentorship place, North East Screen are offering 20 fully funded WFTV memberships to female and non-binary crew in the North East.

As a WFTV member, you will be able to access a plethora of resources throughout the year, these include events, bursaries, mentoring and professional development schemes, you will also receive the WFTV newsletter which is full of the latest industry news and incentives. Click here to apply for a fully-funded WFTV membership.

Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen said;

“We are committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse screen industry in the North East. By working with Women in Film and TV, we will help bridge any skills gaps women may face and help to support and develop those in higher positions on productions.

This is an incredible opportunity for women of our region. The free memberships, alongside the mentorship scheme with Screen Alliance North, give comprehensive coverage for all levels of experience, whether they be early careers or Head of Departments.”

Caroline Cooper-Charles, Chief Executive of Screen Yorkshire and lead partner for Screen Alliance North said;

“The work that Women in Film and TV do is critical in empowering women in the media. Through their mentoring initiative, which supports women across the UK, they help women to advance in their careers, improve their networks and give them the opportunity to learn from leading professionals in the industry. This well-established programme has been highly successful and we’re delighted to be partnering to strengthen its impact across the North and ensure that our exceptional regional talent can grow and be nurtured.”

Katie Bailiff, CEO of Women in Film and TV added;

“We are delighted to be partnering with Screen Alliance North to offer seven dedicated places in the North of England on our Four Nations Mentoring Scheme. We are passionate about developing mid career female talent in the north and look forward to bringing together a diverse cohort to supercharge their careers.”

Anyone interested in the scheme can apply here Mentoring | WFTV UK up until 5pm on Monday 16 September. A minimum of 5 years experience is needed and all roles within the screen industry will be considered.

Full details of the scheme and how to apply can also be found here. WFTV Four Nations Mentoring Scheme 2025: Find Out More & How To Apply on Vimeo

North East Screen has partnered with the BBC on an award-winning industry skills training program on the set of CBBC’s The Dumping Ground in Hexham, Northumberland. This program gives new entrants hands-on experience and upskills existing crew, advancing their careers in TV and film.

This year, 40 members of the North East Screen Crew Academy attended an Open Day and then applied to shadow a department of their choice during production. Of these, eight trainees were selected for a paid, five-day placement on set, offering valuable practical experience.

Last year, 50% of final-stage trainees secured paid, full-time roles on The Dumping Ground and continue to work with the BBC on series 13, currently in production.

Kristina Hopkin from Stockon-on-Tees was able to secure her first professional credit after taking part in the skills initiative. She said: “I had the best time during my weeks paid placement on The Dumping Ground, shadowing the Art Department and am now working there as a Art Department Trainee. Without North East Screen, none of this would have been possible.”

Glenn Ellis from Newcastle said, “The week I spent with the Grip team as a Grip Trainee was invaluable to me. Both the training I received and the contacts I made have enabled me to secure work on productions like Outlander, Vera, and a major feature film.”

Lisa Davidson, Skills Manager at North East Screen, said: “It’s a crucial opportunity for trainees to bridge the gap between education and employment by directly engaging with industry professionals. This program allows HODs to meet and interact with potential candidates, ensuring they find the right fit for their teams.”

North East Screen’s skills development program on The Dumping Ground gives existing crew the opportunity to progress their careers. There are nine crew members stepping up in to new roles currently working on the show. The roles include DOP, Edit Assistant, Electrician and Production Secretary.

For the first time, a shadowing program has also been put in place for directors to step across and develop their careers in TV. Katja Roberts, one of two directors selected, said: “As a director moving into scripted TV, shadowing on The Dumping Ground is proving to be an incredibly valuable experience for me. I have had a really warm welcome into the Dumping Ground family, and I’d love the chance to return for future series.”

If you are looking to step into or step up your career in the screen industry, head to the North East Screen website to view the support we provide.

J6 Films and Margot Films have announced that Harder Than the Rock: The Cimarons Story, a feature film directed by Durham-based filmmaker Mark Warmington, will be released in UK cinemas this October.

Harder Than the Rock chronicles the incredible journey of Britain’s first reggae band, Cimarons. Formed by teenage Jamaican immigrants in a London bus shelter in 1967, the band were at the forefront of the reggae explosion in the 1970s. Thousands of miles from Jamaica, they brought excitement, experimentation, and sheer anticipation to Black British youth, connecting them to their roots and identity through their powerful music.

Cimarons collaborated with industry legends such as Bob Marley, Toots & the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, and even Paul McCartney. Despite their significant contributions, the band has been largely under-recognised for their music, impact, and legacy. The film poignantly captures their history and follows their final chapter, when, despite losing their beloved drummer Maurice Ellis to cancer, they dream of performing to live audiences – one last time.

The film first premiered at Sheffield DocFest in June and received a standing ovation from the crowd.

James Baxter, the producer of the film said: 

“We had a number of offers via distribution companies; however we spent so much time making the film, we wanted to put the same time and effort into releasing the film to the right cinemas at the right time. 

We noticed after the Premiere of the film at Sheffiled Doc festival there was a significant ground swell of interest for the band and their music.’’

Mark Warmington, director of the film said:

“It’s been an absolute honour to have Cimarons entrust me to tell their story, which started in 1967 and continues to the present day.  

If ever a band had an excuse to be bitter and resentful of the music industry, I think Cimarons would be top of the list.  The way those guys have been exploited is obscene, but they’ve persevered with dedication, humour and, above all, a commitment and love for reggae music.  I’m delighted that this documentary is now going some way to getting them the recognition they deserve.”

The film will be released in October inline with Black History Month. A full list of participating cinemas and dates will be released in early September, along with other Q&A events with the Director/Band, hosted by a number of music legends. 

Last night (18th of July), North East Screen announced they will be offering 20 fully funded Women in Film and TV (WFTV) Memberships to female and non-binary crew based in the North East of England.

This opportunity was announced at a Summer Networking event in partnership with WFTV at the Black Swan in Newcastle.

Lisa Laws, Development Director at North East Screen, said: “It’s great to see so many women involved in the screen industry in one room! Women in Film and TV is a brilliant organisation, and we are thrilled to be offering 20 WFTV memberships for above and below-the-line talent.”

Over 130 female-identifying and non-binary crew members from all areas of the screen industry singed up to learn more about WFTV and network at the summer networking event in Newcastle.

As a WFTV member, you will be able to access a plethora of resources throughout the year, these include events, bursaries, mentoring and professional development schemes, you will also receive the WFTV newsletter which is full of the latest industry news and incentives.

Click here to apply for a fully funded WFTV membership.

If you have any questions, please email development@northeastscreen.org