Reel Impact grant awardees
Reel Impact third round awardees
We are delighted to confirm the six organisations and four individuals who have received awards in the third and final round of funding for Reel Impact.
Since launching in 2024, Reel Impact has supported 31 awardees and the communities around them. Through funding, practical workshops and shared learning, the programme is helping to drive greater equity, opportunity, and representation across the industry, while providing Black and Global Majority professionals with valuable guidance to navigate and overcome industry challenges.
With this final cohort, the programme leaves a legacy of supporting innovative ideas, advancing racial equity, strengthening organisations, and helping Black and Global Majority industry professionals build sustainable careers.
Beyond the funding itself, the Reel Impact Awards have helped establish a growing community of awardees who will continue to share knowledge, provide mentorship, and champion opportunities for Black and Global Majority talent across the industry.
Round 3: Grant awarded organisations
The four inspiring organisations receiving grants of up to £25,000 for organisational development in this second round are:
The funding will be used to strengthen S.O.U.L. Fest’s commercial resilience through specialist sponsorship consultancy, fundraising support and talent PR ahead of the 2027 festival.
Reel Impact will help develop Black Women in Scripted into a sustainable, year-round platform, delivering at least six initiatives and 200 participant places for Black women across scripted film and television. The award will fund two part-time coordinators and finance support, strengthening programme delivery, partnerships, communications, and long-term organisational resilience.
The award will help establish AiAi Studios as a leading Black-led, Northern-based audio-visual production hub. Funding will complete its broadcast-standard facility and support a Partnerships Lead to secure new commissions, creating more paid opportunities for Black and Global Majority creatives.
The award will support the growth of BLCKSTR as a scalable, Black-led training business, helping raise standards for Black hair and make-up representation across the screen industries. Funding will create new paid opportunities through the recruitment of two Black specialist educators, while improving systems and programme delivery.
A further two incredible organisations received grants of up to £25,000 for work to advance race equity:
The funding will help with the development and pilot of a Faith Inclusion Toolkit for the UK screen industries. Through industry consultation and testing, the project will create practical tools and guidance to help employers foster more inclusive workplaces and improve access, retention, and progression for Black and Global Majority professionals.
The award will support a new pipeline of board-ready Black and Global Majority leaders through governance training, mentoring, board observation and industry introductions. Alongside supporting 16 mid-to-senior professionals, the project will engage a further 50 participants and create a talent directory to help unlock trustee and non-executive opportunities.
Round 3: Grant awarded individuals
The four talented individuals given funding of up to £10,000 for a range of personal development needs are:
The funding will enable Runako to develop her filmmaking practice through storytelling platform ReRooted, which will feed into The ReRooted Room, a community of over 25 Black and Brown creatives.
The award will support Moses’ development as a director while creating a valuable community asset for fellow filmmakers and creatives. Funding for a professional Sony FX6 camera will enhance production quality, increase creative independence, and open new paid opportunities.
The funding will launch her Miss-Represents first strand, focused on Islamophobia, delivering live events, targeted interviews and original filmed content. Research and analysis will inform a practical toolkit and ten-point framework, helping screen industry professionals challenge harmful representation and drive meaningful change.
Amir received the award to upgrade his editing suite through new professional equipment, software, and subscriptions. The improved setup will support efficient 4K and motion-graphics workflows, enabling higher-quality work and greater capacity for new and larger commissions.
Previous awardees
Organisations
These outstanding organisations received grants of up to £25,000 each to drive impactful change within the film and TV sector. Learn more about their projects:
Funding awarded to help support this organisation’s growth as the first Black-owned virtual production facility specialising in action content.
“Filmdhit is the first previz fight action studio owned by a black female action director and Reel impact has been a game changer for myself and my company. As an action director and fight arranger for film and TV, we have constantly been overlooked in this male dominated genre. We truly appreciate the support Reel Impact has been able to offer and also its belief in our vision for the future.
Mama Youth will use their grant to provide advanced leadership and management training to 10 alumni from underrepresented backgrounds, equipping them with the skills and networks necessary to break barriers and ascend to senior roles in the TV and media industry.
“This initiative will ignite change by fostering greater diversity in leadership, creating a more inclusive and representative industry for future generations.” - Anthony Knight
With their grant, Film Locos will organise networking events and practical masterclasses with the aim of boosting visibility and access for British Latin American crew in the UK film and TV industry, showcasing their contributions and potential.
“Many in our community lack the information and resources to enter the industry. And those who are already in the industry don’t seem to know where others like us work. By providing these assets, we aim to empower Global Majority British crew members and demonstrate that they can achieve their dreams.” – Maysa Monção Gabrielli and Victor Rios
The TV Collective will use Reel Impact’s support to drive important conversations and amplify under-represented voices from the Black and Global Majority on a global stage through the development of their industry podcast platform.
Wonder Women, will be using the fund to recruit core staff and help elevate the careers of mid-senior level women from under-represented and marginalised groups through the organisation’s year-long, nationwide mentoring programme.
“With this grant, we’ll expand our core team and scale our game-changing Wonder Women Mentoring Programme to support the retention of the incredible women the industry stands to lose. Together, we rise!” - Ria Hebden
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.”
Individuals
Individuals were awarded up to £10,000 each, empowering their unique projects aimed at addressing diversity gaps and promoting Black and Global Majority talent:
A mentor and leadership trainer, Aaqil will use the grant to enable talent from the Black and Global Majority to enhance their careers in film and TV.
“I’ve experienced good and bad in the industries I’ve worked in and see that the same challenges and opportunities today hinder many who’re navigating their careers and business growth. As a mentor and leadership trainer I know authentic and relatable coaching is needed.”
A director and writer, Dean will use the grant to take his short film ‘The Mediator’, to the St Louis International Film Festival, helping his diverse cast and crew to access opportunities in both the UK and US film markets.
“This trip will be invaluable in advancing my career, opening doors for distribution and future collaborations, and further establishing my presence in the film industry.”
Georgie runs Rising Waves, an organisation that tackles the critical underrepresentation of British East and Southeast Asian talent in the arts and media. Georgie will use the grant to help fund mentorship programs, workshops, and community events.
“This funding will allow us to tailor our programs to address the specific barriers British East and Southeast Asian talent faces – such as limited access to opportunities and unconscious bias in hiring – and provide practical pathways into key on-screen and off-screen roles.”
Jessica will use the grant to fund her project that provides training in camera and shooting skills to talent from the Black and Global Majority, with the aim of addressing the imbalance within the TV industry.
“By creating a peer group dedicated to advancing practical shooting skills, we can boost representation behind the lens and empower a new cohort of minority storytellers.”
Samantha is a senior leader working in Talent Development and will use the grant to enhance her leadership skills and industry connections in the UK’s sports broadcasting sector.
“This grant isn’t just about personal development; it’s about creating a ripple effect of opportunity. By strengthening my ability to develop talent and forge industry connections, we’re laying the groundwork for a more inclusive sports media landscape.”
Cassie will use the Reel Impact grant to offer 50 people free access to an extensive online course that will equip them with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
“I hope to drive meaningful change and help reshape the industry for the better by opening doors to greater inclusion and innovation in media and technology education.”
With the funding from Reel Impact, Martin will create a new space for Black and Global Majority creatives in the West Midlands with the aim of tackling barriers in the industry facing talent from the Black and Global Majority, around infrastructure, investment, and opportunities.
“Through design labs, we will bring together collective intelligence to develop strategies that tackle the real barriers in our industry. Ultimately, this will help to drive a shift toward practical, long-term solutions that build stronger connections and empower emerging talent.”
Chitra will help build a network of talent from the Black and Global Majority in UK Children’s media, helping to bring them closer to new opportunities and employers.
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.”
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About Reel Impact
The Reel Impact Program was developed by the Film and TV Charity to counter systemic racism and inequality, ensuring talented individuals from Black and Global Majority backgrounds have the resources, support, and visibility they need to thrive in the film and TV industry.