Focus on Females is a mentoring programme specifically created to support young women (ages 16-20) in their career progression into the Film & TV industry. At Young Film Academy we are committed to providing opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to realise their potential. We are aware that there is a gender in-balance within the Film & TV Industries and through this project in particular, we want to support young women in accessing more opportunities and support with their career progression.
Once accepted onto the programme participants will be paired with one of our five female industry mentors to join a community of young female filmmakers and receive a series of mentoring sessions to support their development as filmmakers.
This programme will run from April to November 2023 and with five places available. This programme would be most suitable for young women who have some previous filmmaking experience and/or a keen interest in building experience through the programme which can be explained within the application. Applications are open to anyone regardless of whether you have attended a YFA course previously. You must be between the ages of 16-20 to be considered.
Applicants must be based in the UK and we will arrange sessions either in-person or online depending on where paired mentors and mentees are based.
Once accepted onto the programme the young women will be paired with one of our five mentors and participant in mentoring sessions with them approximately every other month (4 sessions overall). Small tasks may be set by mentors for in-between sessions to enable to them to support with participants progression and development. Young women on this programme will also have the opportunity to participate in a number of online workshops run by industry professionals, a great opportunity to connect with new people! Previous workshops have included a session with project partners ERA 50:50, a confidence building workshop with Director Eleri Jones and a variety of panel Q&As. Participants will also receive support from the core YFA coordination team for the duration of the project.
Mentoring sessions will be designed to give support and guidance from an industry perspective as well as provide feedback on projects that participants are working on. Mentors will also be able to provide career advice and support where possible in helping participants secure work experience placements. Mentoring sessions will take place online via Zoom or could also take place in person if preferred!
On completion of the programme, participants will join the Focus on Females alumni network where we regularly circulate job/work experience opportunities and we endevor to support participants in any way we can following the programme.
The Focus on Females mentoring programme has enabled me to meet other like-minded, ambitious, young women with whom I am looking forward to staying in touch with in the future. As well as this, I have connected with various incredibly talented women within the industry, not to mention my mentor who truly understood me and my goals and has been incredibly helpful in supporting my ideas and projects.
Focus on Females has been such an empowering experience. I’ve really enjoyed having monthly sessions with my mentor this year; she has given me a deep insight into the film industry I wouldn’t have been able to gain elsewhere at my age. Since joining, I’ve noticed a huge increase in my self-confidence as a filmmaker, and always leave the meetings buzzing with inspiration.
A great experience which empowers female filmmakers by creating life-long connections. Would recommend to anyone who wants to work in the film industry!
Focus on Females will run from April to November 2023 and with five places available. Applications are open to anyone who identifies as female, regardless of whether you have attended a YFA course or not. This programme is most suitable for young women who have some previous filmmaking experience or a keen interest in gaining experience.
When applying, you will be asked to provide a written paragraph and upload a short video clip of around 2-3 minutes outlining your current experience and what you would like to gain from the programme. You must be between the ages of 16-20 to be considered.
The programme has been successfully run until 2023 but is currently paused. Keep an eye on our website for updates.
As part of this programme we are delighted to be partnering with ERA 50:50.
