The mental health cost of long and unsociable hours in film, TV, and cinema
As the industry plans its year ahead, it’s important to remember that each of us can play a vital role in making our industry the best in the world. And that the way we approach our work and manage our time can also make a meaningful difference.
Why long and unsociable hours are a mental health risk
The UK’s film, TV, and cinema industries run on passion. From crew members pulling all-nighters to wrap a production, to cinema staff working late so audiences can enjoy a special night out, there’s a deep, shared commitment to storytelling, creativity, and the people they serve.
Yet behind the scenes, the demands are mounting. Our 2024 Looking Glass report revealed that nearly one in five workers in these sectors had recently clocked 50 or more hours a week – well above the national average.
Behind the passion of our industry’s workers lies a reality we need to talk about: how long hours, irregular schedules, and night shifts are taking a toll on mental health.
What the evidence tells us about working hours and mental health
A 2019 study by Kaori Sato, Sachiko Kuroda, and Hideo Owan ‘Mental health effects of long work hours, night and weekend work, and short rest periods’ provides compelling evidence of just how damaging these patterns can be, showing:
- Long working hours cause white-collar workers’ mental health to deteriorate
- Weekend rest is crucial for recovery: missing it can have a negative impact that’s 1.5 to 2 times greater than working overtime during the week
- Short rest periods do not seem to counter the effects on mental health
These findings resonate uncomfortably with the culture of our own industry.
How long hours affect film and TV production teams
In film and TV production, long working hours are often worn as a badge of honour. But the evidence is clear: extended working weeks erode wellbeing, reduce resilience, and risk long-term harm. The very creativity and energy that our sector relies on are undermined by exhaustion.
The hidden impact on cinema workers
For cinema staff, the parallels are equally striking. Late-night screenings mean that thousands of workers regularly finish shifts after midnight – exactly the kind of working pattern the research highlights as particularly harmful. These workers are the beating heart of our cinema culture, yet their wellbeing is too often overlooked.
Why this is a systemic issue – not an individual one
As the Film and TV Charity, we hear from people across the industry about the impact of fatigue, burnout, and poor mental health. And we know that this isn’t just an individual issue – it’s systemic. Our industry thrives on collaboration, but to sustain that collaboration we need healthier working practices.
That means challenging the culture of ‘long hours as the norm’ in production. It means advocating for fair scheduling and adequate rest for cinema staff. And it means recognising that wellbeing isn’t a luxury – it’s a foundation for creativity, productivity, and sustainability in our industry.
Practical tools to support healthier working practices
To support this shift, our Whole Picture Toolkit offers practical guidance on how to plan for rest and time off. It helps teams and managers establish clear boundaries and implement processes that protect staff wellbeing – making sure everyone stays healthy, energised, and ready to do their best work. But to truly move the needle, we must all commit to going further together. The research by Sato, Kuroda, and Owan underlines what many in our community already know from lived experience: working long or irregular hours can damage mental health.
So, if we want a thriving future for film, television, and cinema in 2026, we must take care of the people who make it possible. That begins with rethinking how we work.
Learn how our Whole Picture Toolkit can help you build healthier working practices across film, TV, and cinema.