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Insights
Welcome to the ScreenSkills Insights newsletter, a monthly rundown on the latest news and updates from the organisation and wider screen industry |
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Now that we're in awards season proper, there's much to be excited about - on and off screen.
It was a great night for British film at this year’s BAFTAs with category winners coming from a host of UK productions and their talented crew. A huge congratulations to all and we look forward to the upcoming Oscars for the potential of even more success.
Recently, National Apprenticeship Week offered a great opportunity for prospective new entrants into screen to discover more about the industry and explore ways to start building a career. I spoke about how these could be a way to uncover new pathways into an exciting career and how the Growth and Skills Levy can be reformed to support industry, which you can read below.
November's Discover! Creative Careers month reflected similar goals - connecting young people from all backgrounds with the creative industries and the diverse range of roles that exist. A new video showcases some of the 80,000 voices, venues and organisations that made it such a successful and inspiring programme.
Next week sees the Glasgow Film festival kick off, inviting the world to celebrate Scottish cinema. Members of the ScreenSkills team will be attending, hosting a panel with local producers and welcoming industry members to two events. Find out more about the festival, below.
In the latest of our Spotlight series, we're shining a light on the workforce support, activity and partnerships across Northern Ireland. Hear from some of the voices that have worked on productions, taken part in training programmes progressed their careers across the nation in the story, below.
Laura Mansfield, CEO, ScreenSkills |
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Discover! Creative Careers: watch the video
Discover! Creative Careers Month saw employers, freelancers and sector bodies donate time, expertise, venues and resources to inspire over 80,000 young people about a career in the creative industries. Through a variety of in-person and online activities, they opened doors for young people across England, Scotland and Wales who may never have considered a career in the creative industries. Watch the video with highlights from the month. |
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Successful night for British film at BAFTAs There were big wins for productions that contributed to the Film and High-end TV Skills Funds at this year’s BAFTAs. Read more about which titles picked up awards and discover how the production of Hamnet offered vital support for those joining or progressing within the film industry.
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Spotlight on Northern Ireland
As part of our Spotlight series, we’re taking a closer look at some of the training, investment and partnerships that help support the screen workforce across the Nations and Regions. This month we’re focussing on the ScreenSkills activities and collaborations in Northern Ireland.
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Bumper year for UK production The BFI has released the figures behind film and HETV productions across the UK in 2025. The statistics include a £6.8 billion production spend, up by £1.2 billion on 2024’s figures. They also include the amount generated by the UK box office and cinema admissions, listing the top performing films for the year.
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Glasgow Film Festival The Glasgow Film Festival runs from 25 February to 8 March, screening hundreds of films from around the world and turning the Scottish city into a celebration of cinema, industry events, discussion and inspiring Q&As. ScreenSkills are hosting a panel hosted by producer, training provider and founder of Och Aye Productions, Kyrie MacTavish, on Wednesday 5 March, alongside a coffee morning and drop-in session.
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DfE webinar: Developing Creative Talent through T Level Industry Placements
Join a free practical DfE webinar exploring how T Level industry placements can support workforce development in the creative industries, including media and broadcast production. The session gives you the chance to learn how placements work in creative environments, hear from employers already hosting T Level students, and understand the government support available to help with planning and delivery.
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Ten years of Make a Move
For ten years the High-end TV Skills Fund has been supporting career progression through its Make a Move initiative. In that time it has helped over 1,200 freelance crew members step up to a more senior role. Find out more about Make a Move and hear how the programme helped Jon Beer take on a shadow director role for hit new Belfast comedy.
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Training: technology leadership in animation
This programme explores how emerging technologies – including AI-assisted tools, real-time workflows and virtual production – are reshaping creative, technical and production decision-making in animation. The course is designed for professionals who need a clear, practical understanding of where new technologies genuinely help, where they introduce risk, and how to lead teams through change responsibly, giving participants gain hands-on experience, industry insight and decision-making frameworks that can be applied directly to real studio environments.
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Policy and public affairs updates |
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Apprenticeships: pathways to entry
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, ScreenSkills highlighted the ways in which apprenticeships could play a part in helping people break into the screen industries. Find out more about apprenticeships and the screen industries in the article below and discover resources on the ScreenSkills website. |
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BBC charter review
The UK government has launched the BBC Charter Review to futureproof the BBC before the current Royal Charter expires on 31 December 2027. The review includes a focus on skills. A new Charter is expected to take effect on 1 January 2028. If you have thoughts on the Charter Review in relation to skills, please do share with us by emailing me...@screenskills.com
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Digital content creator survey: have your say
Olsberg•SPI (SPI) has launched a targeted survey for Digital Content Creators (DCCs), as part of a skills study commissioned by ScreenSkills and the BBC. The survey will provide valuable insights into the skills required to create digital content, the quality of existing training, critical skills gaps within the UK’s DCC sector, and career pathways for DCCs. If you work professionally in the UK’s DCC sector we would like to hear from you. The survey closes at the end of 26 February and takes no longer than 15 minutes.
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ScreenSkills podcast
Series two of the podcast is coming in the New Year. Catch up with series one now. |
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| Connect on LinkedIn
Keep up to date with ScreenSkills activity across the industry through our LinkedIn account where you can discover more about the team and the training.
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