Still hearing people use "we didn't know where to find diverse talent" as a RUBBISH excuse. SO... I've pulled together some resources of ways to connect with #Film #TV #Talent from under-represented groups.

Please share friends!

A muthaf**king THREAD:

WANT TO DIVERSIFY YOUR WRITERS' ROOM, CREW OR PRODUCTION COMPANY/OFFICE STAFF?

I got you:

1. Talk to @MAMAYouth, @Iconic_Steps, @UKScreenSkills, @PrincesTrust, @SaraPuttAssoc, @CSparkworks & @artsemergency about the graduates of their brilliant talent development schemes.

2. Join @Film_London's fantastic Equal Access Network.
3. Reach out to ace companies @UKfullyfocused and #SignaturePictures.
4. Talk to @DiVA_Creative about their Digital & Creative apprentices.
5. @RaisingFilms supports parents/carers in screen industries.

6. @cinesisters supports female directors.
7. TriForce Creative Network @TriForceEvents provide opportunities for diverse talent including actors, writers, directors & producers.
8. @104Films are the leading production company and training provider focusing on disability.

9. Have a look at the work the @BFI's Diversity & Inclusion team are doing https://www.bfi.org.uk/supporting-uk-film/diversity-inclusion.
The BFI Film Academy and the @bfinetwork which supports new and emerging filmmakers.

10. @BAFTA have various programmes supporting diverse talent, including
- BAFTA Crew programmes
- Breakthrough Brits
- Elevate (this year supporting actors from under-represented groups)
- BFI Flare x BAFTA Crew Mentoring (supporting LGBTQ+ filmmakers) http://www.bafta.org/supporting-talent/bafta-crew

11. Very special mention to the AMAZING charity @FourCornersE2 who I used to work for. Four Corners is a leading training provider, committed to promoting greater equality of opportunity within film and TV http://www.fourcornersfilm.co.uk/training 

12. Looking for screenwriters from under-represented groups?

- Check out the graduates of the @bbcwritersroom's programmes - including The Writers Access Group supporting disabled writers and The Felix Dexter Bursary.

- Or @PhilipShelley1 and Ch 4's #4Screenwriting Programme.

13. Finally, some useful resources to learn more about the current lack of diversity in the screen industries and barriers preventing improvement:

A Skills Audit of the UK Film and Screen Industries - Report for the British Film Institute

https://www.screenskills.com/media/1814/420_a-skills-audit-of-the-uk-film-and-screen-industries.pdf

And –

BFI - Reports on diversity in the UK film industry.

https://www.bfi.org.uk/education-research/film-industry-statistics-reports/reports/diversity-reports

Workforce Diversity in the UK Screen Sector: Evidence Review, CAMEo. Research Institute: Leicester.

https://www.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi-workforce-diversity-in-uk-screen-sector-evidence-review-2018-03.pdf

That’s it! Hope it's a helpful thread (cos it took me ages to do!). I’m certain I’ve missed some great organisations out, so please tag them below.

And please share so we don't need to see another writers' room, cast/company photo with nowt but posh white folk in EVER AGAIN!

Oooh I forgot @illuminatrixLDN who support brill female cinematographers

And thank you @Iria_Pizania for flagging up @ProjectNoirHub - a creative collective for people of colour; working to make the creative industries more culturally diverse. More info here: https://www.projectnoirhub.com/ 

Thank you @nembangg for suggesting @_CreativeAccess - production companies can become an Employer Partner - more info here https://creativeaccess.org.uk/employer-partners/

Oooh and @hopedickle reminded me of the GREAT @BritBlacklist - you can get more information on them here http://thebritishblacklist.co.uk/ 

Another important resource to add - @PactUK @pactdiversity have a microsite promoting diversity in the media industry - which currently has an Inclusive Casting Campaign https://diversity.pact.co.uk/