Industry communities and peer support
Organisations and groups that can help you build vital connections and supportive relationships.
Working in film, TV, and cinema can sometimes be a lonely experience. Our recent work with the Centre for Loneliness Studies showed that lack of social connection is a key driver of poor mental health in our industry.
Some people can find it harder to connect with colleagues or build professional networks, especially if they are freelance, are returning to work after a period of unemployment, have entered the industry via non-traditional routes, or are from marginalised communities.
Finding support that’s right for you
Finding a community of people who understand your struggles and who can provide you with the support and guidance to navigate through challenging times is vital.
With that in mind, we’ve put together this guide to some of the industry’s professional community networks to help you build the connections needed to thrive in your career.
Community groups helping to support and uplift talent from a Black and Global Majority background.
Peer-led support
- Beam – a group that helps connect and support those who are of East and Southeast Asian heritage working in the media industry in UK
- Black Costume Network – a cohort creating an open and safe space for UK Black creatives in the costume industry, focusing on positivity, support and action
- Black Production Management UK - A dedicated peer support group, focused on wellbeing, nurturing, empowering and advancing the careers of Black professionals working in film and TV production management in the UK
- Black Sound Society - a group of professionals working across all grades in production and post production film and television sound
- British Arab Writers Group - a space for writers who have a connection to Arab heritage, culture, or education, to come together and take their craft to the next level
- Creatives of Colour - created by Saima Ferdows as a reaction to feeling unconnected and lost within the comedy TV and Live world, it's now a series of workshops, podcast, live events and online community
- South Asian Film and TV Arts Collective – a Facebook community for South Asian people working in film and TV to help boost visibility and representation within the industry
Community organisations
- The British Blacklist – a media platform that celebrates the work of UK-based Black creatives – they run events, share opportunities, and much more
- Cables & Cameras – provides a hub for Black and POC filmmakers and creatives in Bristol
- Creative Access – a social enterprise providing career-long access, opportunities, support, and training to make the creative economy better reflect society
- Creative Diversity Network – works to enable the UK Broadcasting industry to increase diversity and inspire inclusion. Their work also focuses on supporting Disabled people working in the creative industries
- EAST - organisation working to improve the career development of British East and South East Asians working in Scripted Television
- Other Cinemas - runs community screening and a free film school providing mentorship to Black and non-white filmmakers
- The New Black Film Collective – A nationwide network of film producers, educators, and programmers of Black representation on screen in the UK. They have a membership service, run festivals, networking events, and screenings
- The Kusp – A social enterprise improving access for under-represented talent with the creative media industries
- UK Muslim Film – an organisation that advocates for better representation across the industry and advise on authentic portrayals for film and TV
- We Are Parable – an organisation that creates cinematic experiences, supports filmmakers, and champions new voices in film
- Your Cinema – a platform dedicated to showcasing films, documentaries, and talent from diverse communities in the UK. They also run events throughout the year.
- We Are Here Scotland – supports and raises the voices of Black creatives across Scotland
Guidance, support, and a community for Disabled, Dead and/or Neurodivergent behind the scenes talent
Peer-led support
- DANC – a community of Disabled artists working in TV and the arts, DANC works with and brings together professional Disabled artists and key decision and change makers in the industry
- Deaf and Disabled People in TV – an award winning Disabled-led organisation dedicated to elevating off-screen Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent talent within the TV industry. They provide advice and guidance and run workshops to help identify best practice
- FWD Doc: Filmmakers with Disabilities – a global, intersectional community of disabled creators and allies working in media to build a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable entertainment industry
- DYSPLA_ Chat – peer-to-peer monthly gathering of like-minded Neurodivergent Creatives
- The Neurodiverse Media Community – designed to connect neurodivergent members of the media and use it as a force for change
- The Future is ND – Championing neurodiversity in the creative and tech industries. They run events throughout the year
- Underlying Health Condition - collective of disabled and non-disabled on and off screen creatives and technical crew currently working within the industry
Community Organisations
- Disability Arts Online – has some good resources, including access to work guides
- The TV Mindset - Peer support for freelancers. They also promote and encourage best practice when it comes to the wellbeing, mental health and fair treatment of freelancers in the workplace
- Dial F For Freelancer - A peer to peer network for anyone freelancing in film exhibition and distribution in the UK
Job networks and peer support groups based on industry sector or role
Peer-led support
- Location Department Juniors - A group for every junior member of Location Departments (Film, TV, Commercial, Music, etc) to stay informed on issues raised within the industry, and to give them a platform with which to raise their own
- Loving Your Work – UK’s largest Facebook TV and film jobs groups with over 100,000 UK members. They host networking events and facilitate industry mentoring with over a 100 industry mentors
- The Producers Collective – an informal peer-to-peer producers’ community that builds relationships, fosters collaboration, cooperation, and camaraderie amongst emerging/mid-level independent producer
- The TV Switch Up - The Telly Careers Hub - where mid-senior level freelancers can connect, share invaluable advice, and explore job opportunities within and beyond the TV industry
- UK Cinema Network – a peer to peer network for those who work in cinemas / multi arts venues. An opportunity to share news, offer support, and talk about new opportunities coming up
- UK Post Sound Collective – provides practical industry advice to anyone from an under-represented gender or racial group who is interested in a career in sound editing or sound mixing for TV and feature films
Community organisations
- Film Base – provides a central resource for crew working on film and TV projects in the UK
- Share My Telly Job - resource hub to find everything you need to achieve and succeed in your job‑share
- Triforce Creative Network – an organisation that promotes opportunities for individuals and companies to develop and thrive within the industry, whatever their background or circumstances
Networks of support for people from the LGBTQ+ community
Peer-led support
- Queer Filmmakers Network - organise networking events, talks and screenings with the view of building an active peer group and offering support to all members
- Panimation – a directory of women, trans and non-binary people working in animation and motion graphics
- The Trans Creative Collection – a community set up by, and for, Trans+ creators and allies to connect with one another in a safe and inclusive environment
- Trans+ On Screen – a directory representing trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming professionals in all areas of film and TV, from production to distribution
Community organisations
- IntermediaUK – an LGBTQ+ network group for people working across all areas of the media spectrum
- QVFX – working towards creating a safe space to connect LGBTQI+ people who work in visual effects, animation and games with regular meet-ups, outreach and events. Part of Access VFX
Support, advice and networking opportunities for parents and carers.
Peer-led support
- Cinemamas – a female-led community for mothers working in the screen industries. They promote flexible work and job-sharing opportunities
- The Film and TV Carers Club – open to anyone who works, or used to work, in the film or TV industry and is also a carer. They run monthly Zoom meet ups
- Media Parents – promotes flexible jobs in TV: short term, regular hours, job share, remote, hybrid and part time jobs
- Raising Films - supports, promotes and campaigns for parents and carers in the UK screen sector
- Telly Mums – Supports and empowers busy working mums that make TV. They run webinars throughout the year
Female-led collectives and organisations, helping to create communities and improve the representation of women in the behind-the-scenes industry.
Peer-led support
- Cinesisters – an inclusive collective of female directors making films and TV
- Female Film Club – an online community and app where filmmakers from all over the world learn together, work on their craft, and create lifelong connections
- LIFT (Ladies In Film and Television) - an online group for women working in the industry that supports each other through sharing info, jobs, and advice
- We Are Doc Women – provides peer support for women directors working in factual television in the UK
- Women Who Are Sound – collective of women and gender minorities who work in, or study, sound for film and TV
Community organisations
- Reclaim The Frame (formerly know as Birds' Eye View) – supports films by women and all marginalised gender people, with the aim of building a community for those who make, show, release and watch them
- Women in Film and TV (WFTV) – leading membership organisation for women working in creative media in the UK
- Wonder Women – women’s network that champions the elevation of diverse women into senior leadership in TV and the creative industries
We know there may be many more, so please email [email protected] with any suggestions.
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Community Partnerships
Our partnerships with organisations who do great work to help professionals feel less alone in their careers
