Reel Impact Grant Awardees

An SFX studio based in Dorset, From Life Prosthetics, is set to build a new facility that blends digital craft with inclusive design – creating space for Black and Global Majority-led innovation to thrive within the UK’s screen industries. 

“With this award, I’m building the studio I wish had existed when I entered the industry – where Global Majority artists lead, experiment, and belong. It’s not just about representation on screen, but shifting who designs the bodies we see, and who gets to shape the future of storytelling.” 

An independent production company dedicated to supporting emerging talent from underrepresented communities, Fully Focused will use the award to expand their team, strengthen revenue streams and create more paid opportunities – all while continuing to nurture and grow their creative community.

“We believe the TV, film and media industry and the stories we tell should be representative of the communities we serve – and this hugely appreciated Reel Impact award will enable us to go from strength-to-strength as an organisation. It will increase our confidence in employing new members of staff and free up senior leadership to focus on strategic vision, mission focus, revenue streams and pipeline. This award will also enable us to increase our live project capacity and grow our creative community, helping shape future leaders and the industry stars of tomorrow in the process.” 

The British-Arab Writers Group is a collective that brings together writers connected to Arab heritage, culture, and education. The group organises writers’ rooms, industry talks, workshops, and social events to foster a sense of community and shared growth. 

“With the support of the Film and TV Charity’s Reel Impact Award, the British-Arab Writers Group will be able to support creatives and storytellers from marginalised backgrounds, so that their voices and narratives can be given the space they deserve in the face of growing division and systemic repression.” 

Aniboxx Studios will use the award to fund an Animation career elevation scheme, Diversimation: The Senior Shift. The scheme will support five mid-level professionals from Black and Global Majority backgrounds with senior career advancement skills, mentoring, and with opportunities to move into senior roles in the animation industry. 

“The Reel Impact Award will help fund our scheme, allowing each mentee to be matched with a dedicated mentor who will guide them on how to confidently navigate and excel in their desired senior role. In addition to one-on-one mentorship, the programme will host industry events designed to raise awareness of our mentees and showcase their talents. Ultimately, our goal is to increase senior employment opportunities for Black and Global Majority animation professionals across the industry.” 

Based in Liverpool, Ruchika will use the award to pursue formal counselling training, with the aim of establishing a role in the TV industry as a qualified welfare specialist and future therapist. Her focus will be on supporting diverse freelancers and on-screen talent. 

“With the Reel Impact award, I’ll train as a qualified counsellor to support diverse freelancers and contributors who are being left behind in this industry downturn. I’ve lived that struggle – I know how isolating it is to feel your career slipping away. My goal is to offer care that understands culture, pressure, identity, because mental health support in TV should reflect the people it serves. This award isn’t just about changing my path, it’s about creating space for others to stay in the industry, thrive, and feel seen.”

Shekhar Bassi, a physically disabled and autistic award-winning screenwriter, and director will use the award to shadow experienced directors in high-end scripted drama, with the aim of bringing Black and Global Majority and diverse perspectives and narratives to the forefront. His goal is to inspire others from similar backgrounds to pursue their ambitions in film.

“Receiving the Reel Impact Grant is a transformative opportunity for me, not just as a filmmaker but as a voice for change. This funding will allow me to shadow experienced directors in high-end scripted drama, immersing myself in the craft while also highlighting the stories of Black and global majority individuals. My goal is to bring our narratives to the forefront, showing that our perspectives matter in this industry. I hope to inspire others from similar backgrounds to pursue their dreams in film and to help create a more inclusive environment where our diverse voices are celebrated.”

Mena, a Bristol based documentary film director, will use Reel Impact’s support to document women’s sports, celebrating its present, archiving its histories, and redefining who tells women’s sports stories. 

“With Reel Impact’s support, I will document women’s sports in ways that both celebrate its present and archive its histories for the future. As a sports documentary director, advocating to be on the sidelines, I’m here to champion our stories both on and off the field.” 

Based in Northern Ireland, Shannon, was given a Reel Impact award to help with her career progression as screenwriter, helping to build her brand, purchase up-to-date equipment and expand her networks. 

“Reel Impact will support my personal and career development towards becoming an acclaimed film and TV screenwriter, and high-end TV showrunner. Reel Impact will help me to build my network and reputation across the UK and help me to secure further episodes of high-end TV shows to write, plus take on further feature film projects.

I will continue within my work to write original stories with brilliant Global Majority characters in primary roles, particularly those from and representative of Northern Ireland and the North West of Ireland, a region which’s diversity on screen is seldom shown. I will also continue to support and inspire other Global Majority writers to enter and progress in the industry.”