Industry communities and peer support

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 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 advocate 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

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

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

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 & technical crew currently working within the industry

Community Organisations

• Disability Arts Online – has some good resources, including access to work guides

Job networks and peer support groups based on industry sector or role 

Peer-led support

• Dial F For Freelancer ‑A peer to peer network for anyone freelancing in film exhibition and distribution in the UK.
  
• 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
• 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
• Shooting People – a community of independent filmmakers, who connect and collaborate to make feature films, shorts, documentaries, web series, and more
• Triforce Creative Network – an organisation that promotes opportunities for individuals and companies to develop and thrive within the industry, whatever their background or circumstances