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| | Welcome from the CEO Katie Bailiff
Good afternoon,
Welcome to this week’s newsletter, with a round-up of upcoming events from Claudia Merhej, Head of Awards, Events and Partnerships. |
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I hope you manage to stay cool in this week’s oncoming heatwave! Here at Team WFTV we’ll be knocking back the iced coffee and slathering on the suncream.
First of all, please don’t forget to cast your two votes for your WFTV Member Directors! These representatives of the membership will play a key role in guiding the organisation’s strategic direction and championing the voices of our vibrant and diverse community at board level.
Check out our WFTV Member Directors page to read statements by our 23 brilliant candidates and don’t forget to cast your two votes by Friday 29 August! |
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Some of our incredible Member Director candidates are allumni from the WFTV Fast Track to Fearless Leadership Programme, and if you’re a senior woman in the industry looking to unlock your full potential then we highly recommend you apply for the 2026 cohort!
Led by coach Tracy Forsyth, the purpose of the programme is to empower women to thrive in senior leadership positions by providing training and coaching in leadership skills, tools and techniques and mindset - find out more on our website. |
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And if you’ve got that back-to-school feeling a little bit early why not crack on with your application for the WFTV Four Nations Mentoring Scheme 2026?
Each year WFTV seeks 20 mentees from England and 7 each from the North of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. It’s a life-changing opportunity for mid-career women in film, television, and digital media, offering one-to-one mentoring with senior industry professionals, peer-to-peer training, and bespoke career development workshops. |
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Hope you have a great week, stay cool!
Katie |
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Events round up with Head of Awards, Events & Partnerships, Claudia Merhej |
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| | Hello everyone, Our regular Writers’ Group and Meet the Producer events strand have some great guests this week. Tonight you can hear from writer, director and executive producer for TV, Film and Theatre, Ursula Rani Sarma. In conversation with host Christina Pickworth, Ursula will be discussing her journey in the industry and career to date, insight to her process and writing for TV, Film and Theatre as well as upcoming projects. |
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August’s Meet the Producer tomorrow evening at 6:30pm will focus on series producing, with our host Michelle Stein in conversation with adventure travel, true crime, factual entertainment and documentary series producer Nadya Mahdi. |
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We’re also looking forward to two events in Scotland later this month. On Friday 15 August, we’re delighted to invite festival delegates and WFTV members to a networking brunch celebrating the women of Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025.
In Glasgow on Wednesday 27 August we’re hosting in person networking and the opportunity to hear from BBC Scotland Head of Multiplatform Commissioning, Louise Thornton. Louise will be discussing her journey into the industry, recent commissions, audience appetites in Scotland and her thoughts on what makes a great show and sharing insights on how to get a project commissioned. Looking ahead, join WFTV on Thursday 28 August for a morning of socialising and a networking breakfast in Cardiff. Our in-person networking sessions are for all WFTV members to meet new people in a friendly and informal setting. WFTV members will be welcomed with complimentary teas, coffees and pastries on arrival. There will also be an opportunity to meet with a member of the WFTV team to answer any questions that you might have about WFTV in Wales, and listen to your feedback. See you at an event soon, Claudia |
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WFTV members don’t forget you can access the WFTV Catch Up Hub 24/7 and watch back more than 350 WFTV online events including Q&As, panel discussions, workshops and more. |
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Filming in England’s New Entrant Handbook has a brand new 2025/6 edition that’s the most up-to-date, practical companion for anyone looking to kickstart a career in film and TV. Designed to be clear, accessible, and inclusive, the Handbook supports people of all backgrounds and skill levels in navigating their way into the industry - find out more here. |
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A reminder that our friends at the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 have kindly offered WFTV members the chance to book Industry passes at the concession rate, which is just £135 + VAT - find out more on our Members' Noticeboard here. |
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Studio21 International has opened its 2025 script competition with a mission to uncover a hit microdrama that can appeal to a contemporary audience worldwide. The competition invites entries for series made up of 2-5 minute episodes, with a total of 40-60 episodes across the series - find out more here. |
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Applications for the ScreenSkills High-end TV Leaders of Tomorrow programme are open until 17 August.
It’s a three-year programme focused on providing a high level of support to mid-level professionals working in high-end TV (HETV), and it’s designed to give them the tools to progress to head of department or other senior decision-making leadership roles in the future - find out more here. |
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Applications for First Flight’s Kodak Short Film Fund are now open. Grants of up to £7,000 / $10,000 are available towards the production costs of all scripted genres and documentary short film content - find out more here. |
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The Sara Putt Associates Trainee Scheme is a professional development programme designed to support trainees working behind the camera in High End TV drama and film. Over ten online workshops you will receive a range of professional training and support that will help you successfully manage a freelance career - find out more here. |
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Dogwoof is seeking a Sales and Marketing Assistant to join their international sales team. |
| Bertha Earth are looking for Freelance Videographers/Filmmakers to join their Talent Pool. |
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Screen Scotland is looking for a Screen Production and Skills Officer to support incoming productions. |
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ITV is hiring an Assistant Digital Producer, Continuing Drama 6 months FTC based in Leeds. |
| NFTS is hiring a Course Leader in Digital Animation for their new MA in Digital Animation for Film and Games. |
| MUBI is looking for a Senior Programming Manager, UK to lead their UK content strategy. |
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