2026 Looking Glass Survey
The Looking Glass Survey is the UK’s only long-term study tracking mental health across the film, TV and cinema industry. Now in its fifth iteration, it gives behind the scenes workers a way to influence how the industry responds to mental health challenges.
About the survey
- Takes around 10 minutes
- Fully anonymous
- Running since 2019 to track progress over time, expose gaps in support, and shape future action
- Previous findings have guided us at the Film and TV Charity in creating new support services for the industry
Because if we want better conditions, better support and better decisions, we need action grounded in reality. And that starts with your voice
Take action to improve mental health in film, TV, and cinema
The Looking Glass Survey is the most direct way for behind-the-scenes workers to influence how the industry tackles mental health – your participation drives the change. By sharing your experience – good or bad – you help turn lived reality into evidence that shapes action.
Evidence the industry listens to, that shapes decisions, drives accountability, and leads to real change.
Because people like you continue to be incredibly generous and take part in the Looking Glass Survey, it means our data can provide a clear, credible picture of life in our industry – where progress is being made, and where urgent action is still needed.
Why your voice matters
Systemic change doesn’t happen overnight. And in an industry still navigating a range of external and internal pressures, for many people the reality of everyday working life still includes excessively long hours, extreme pressure, instability, and structural barriers to good mental health
That’s why every experience counts.
Whether you’re a freelancer or in a permanent role, just starting out or highly experienced, working on set, in post, in an office or in a cinema – your voice adds to a bigger picture the industry cannot afford to ignore.
Together, we’re making a difference
Thanks to the industry’s engagement with previous Looking Glass surveys, you’ve helped us to deliver:
- Expanded mental health support through our 24/7 Support Line
- A confidential Bullying Advice Service and Wellbeing at work support
- The Whole Picture Toolkit for Mentally Healthy Productions, now used on over 500 productions
- The Principles for Mentally Healthy Productions, which evolves the Toolkit, with new digital products and services launching later this year to make running mentally healthy productions even easier
- Evidence and data that continues to inform research, policy, and best practice across the sector – including the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s 2025 report on British Film and High-End Television.
By taking the Looking Glass Survey, you help drive the next phase of change – moving the industry toward fairer, healthier, more sustainable working conditions.
This year, we’re calling for an even broader range of voices, including those in permanent roles, to ensure the full picture is represented.
When you share your experience, lived reality becomes evidence – and evidence becomes action.
Take the 2026 Looking Glass Survey
The Looking Glass survey is fully anonymous and takes around 10 minutes to complete. So, if you work behind the scenes in film, TV or cinema – whether freelance or permanent – your perspective is invaluable.
Frequently asked questions
The Looking Glass Survey is the UK's only long-term mental health study tracking the experiences of film, TV, and cinema workers. Run by the Film and TV Charity since 2019, it collects anonymous data to drive systemic change across the industry.
Anyone working behind the scenes in film, TV, or cinema in the UK, whether freelance or in a permanent role, at any career stage and in any department.
Around 10 minutes, depending on your answers.
Yes, the Looking Glass Survey is fully anonymous. If you include details in your answers that could identify you, they will be handled in strict confidence.
Previous surveys have contributed to the expansion of mental health support, through:
- The 24/7 Film and TV Support Line
- The launch of the confidential Bullying Advice Service and Wellbeing at work support
- The development of the The Whole Picture Toolkit for Mentally Healthy Productions, now used on over 500 productions
- The recent launch of the Principles for Mentally Healthy Productions, the evolution of the Toolkit, with new digital products and services launching later this year to make running mentally healthy productions even easier
Related research
-
Looking Glass Survey 2024
3 February 2025
The 2024 edition of our landmark mental health survey for behind the scenes workers
-
Looking Glass Survey 2022
18 February 2023
The 2022 edition of our landmark study of mental health and wellbeing among the industry workforce