TV & FILM DIVERSITY (DE&I) RECRUITMENT TIPS
The BFI Diversity Standards encourage equality of opportunity and address under-representation in the screen industries - in creative leadership; crew and project staff; in training, opportunities and career progression; in audience outreach and development; and on-screen
Fair and transparent recruitment processes are vital to enable diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and tackle under-representation in the industry. Preventing discrimination and championing under-represented groups creates healthier workplaces, produces great content and better reflects audiences.
When recruiting, consult your production company’s Line managers, DE&I Policy, HR support or seek external expert guidance, to ensure legal obligations are met and workplaces are non-discriminatory.
RECRUITMENT ORGS & COMPANIES
BEYOND THE LIST
To publicize a role please email talent@lookbeyondthelist.com with details of the job role including title, location, dates, rate (if you are happy to publicize), contact info and application due date.
BLACK WOMEN IN POST PROD
hello@bwipp.co.uk
@blackwomeninpostproduction
MAMA YOUTH PROJECT
The MAMA Youth Project recruits, trains and nurtures young people between 18-25 years of age from under-represented groups or with limited educational or employment opportunities. Patrons gain access to a growing pool of MAMA Youth trained alumni.
the british blacklist
The British Blacklist: Offer a platform to connect with Black creative talent across the industry
Talent database: https://blacklisteddatabase.co.uk/
info@thebritishblacklist.com
@thebritishblacklist
brixton finishing school
@brixtonfinishingschool
CREATIVE ACCESS
@_creativeaccess
TALENTED PEOPLE
A specialist search company for TV and video content-makers, developers and leaders.
CREATIVE MENTOR NETWORK
Break The Wall: Mentoring programme focussing specifically on creative industries. Jobs board: https://www.creativementornetwork.org/live-roles
@creativementornetwork
triforce network
DANDI offers full recruitment services for production companies for both inhouse and freelance roles across all departments, from a huge network of diverse candidates.
@dandiorguk
breaking the glass ceiling
Breaking The Glass Ceiling is a leadership programme supporting black, Asian and minority ethnic mid-level professionals in film/TV. Shares job opportunities with their wide network.
equalaccess@filmlondon.org.uk
@film_london
four corners film
Four Corners participants represent a diverse group who may otherwise have had barriers to entry.
Seeks industry mentors and provides subsidised paid work placements:
helena@fourcornersfilm.co.uk
@fourcornerse2
https://www.fourcornersfilm.co.uk/mentors-and-placements
GHETTO FILM SCHOOL
@ghettofilmschool
Graphics new union
Gives crew new to the industry a point of contact to encourage diversity and exploration of new talent. Offers a new entrants directory and job posts. Membership costs are accessible at £10-£50 per annum.
info@graphicsunion.co.uk
just runners uk
Sourcing runners from film and media courses who do not already know people in the industry, with a mission to create a fair and equal entry system for talent.
work@justrunners.uk
@justrunnersuk
london screen academy
Large and active alumni network (1000+) looking for entry level opportunities, opportunities can be shared with the network for free via Laura.
laura.boswell@lsa.ac.uk (Laura Boswell Director of Careers & Alumni)
mile end community project
Multi-award winning youth and community organisation, delivering a range of social and educational activities, focussing on creativity through film production. Supporting Tower Hamlets residents who may not otherwise engage due to social, cultural, racial or economic challenges.
Able to provide entry-level trainees and take on video production projects.
hello@mileendcommunityproject.org
@mileendcommunityproject
THE HUE LIST
Multi-department list of crew from Black, Asian and mixed heritage diasporas
the screen community
Youth media charity which creates cutting edge content and also trains young people in film, television and game design. Working with underfunded, disadvantages young people providing highly professional courses in film and television with routes to employment. Looking to partner with productions to provide entry level roles and trainees.
kate.herron@thescreencommunity.com
BEATS and BEAM
comprehensive listing of British East Asians working in TV and film
Black Sound Society
Sound crew database and support group made up of professionals working across all grades in production and post production film and television sound. They strive to promote and safeguard the interests of our members, keep them abreast of production methods and explore new technologies
The Equity List
Crew database for people of colour. They also run a mentoring scheme for people of colour who want to get into film.
The Black Costume Network
A space for Black and Mixed race creatives in the Costume Industry in the UK (and beyond). A place for often underrepresented voices to be heard whilst focusing on positivity, progression, action and support. Contact: theblackcostumenetwork@gmail.com
The Melanin Agency
The first ever agency specialising in hair and makeup services for people of colour along with diverse productions on Film and TV. They also provide their services for commercials, press tours/junkets, TV appearances, major events, and red carpet occasions
Bid/Black
A directory of Directors, DOPs and Editors primarily for commercials and also covering scripted TV and film
the tv collective
Online resource offering information on development, training, networking and job opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds.
simone@thetvcollective.org
@the_tv_collective
Paid Jobs & Opportunities Board available for free:
https://www.thetvcollective.org/jobs-opportunities/
A creative social enterprise improving access for under-represented creatives within the creative media industry (fashion, film & television) through talent development and talent sourcing tools - available to production companies.
SOCIAL MEDIA JOB BOARDS
UK BLACK BRITISH POST PROD COLLECTIVE
Facebook group to connect and support those who are from an African and Caribbean background working in the TV and Film Post Production industry. They host monthly social meet ups, networking events and arrange Black Panel Q&As
INCLUSIVE HIRING TIPS & RESOURCES
USING INCLUSIVE AND FAIR RECRUITMENT POLICIES AND PROCESSES (Creative Diversity Network)
Addie Orfila’s Hub of relevant organisations on padlet
EMPLOYERS NETWORK FOR EQUALITY & INCLUSION
A GUIDE TO DIVERSE HIRING PRACTICES (Creative Mentor Network)
WONDER WOMEN TV podcast
SOHO MEDIA CLUB, NAKED STORIES podcast
Their online resource custom designed to support you to embed inclusive practices across your productions and businesses.
UPDATE YOUR DE&I POLICY
Work with and build inclusive recruitment and flexible working practices and how to recruit inclusively
DE&I MONITORING
Equality monitoring is not legally mandatory for employers in the private sector, it is recommended by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Increasingly, it is also a requirement for broadcasters, networks, commissioners and financiers.
DIVERSITY IN PRACTICE - CREATIVE DIVERSITY NETWORK
Check that when you compile, share and use databases which include details about a person’s personal characteristics you comply with the Data Protection Act and Gender Recognition Act.
The law states that you should not limit your search to people with a particular characteristic or only use a database which lists people with a particular characteristic unless you have a justifiable occupational requirement for a role.
You should use databases to widen your search not restrict it to particular groups.
So you can’t limit your search to ‘BAME Producer/Director’ on a general database or only use a database listing contractors from a particular group unless you can justify that requirement.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance and Information Commissioners Office has further information on storing and using databases and personal information.
THANKS TO…
LOOK BEYOND THE LIST
https://www.lookbeyondthelist.com/talentlists
ADDIE ORFILA
https://padlet.com/addie_orfila/inclusive-hiring-for-producers-p32o8jj4hom6sjuf
BIANCA GAVIN
SHARE YOUR TIPS
I write these posts in my spare time: please email me siangwilliam@bloodynorah.com if you have any updates to share. (Please don’t send CVs to this address please).