Reel Impact announces third round of Grant Awardees

In its largest funding round to date, Reel Impact has granted 10 awards to six Black and Global Majority-led organisations and four mid-career and senior Black and Global Majority individuals, marking a significant milestone for the programme.

Launched in 2022, the Reel Impact programme builds on the Charity’s commitment, first made in 2020, to elevate, support, and invest in Black and Global Majority talent. Since then, the programme has championed individuals and organisations driving meaningful change and helping to create a more equitable screen industry.

The four organisations receiving funding to support their business development are: 

• AiAi Studios Ltd will use the funding to improve its broadcast-quality production hub and support a Partnerships Lead role to drive new commissions, strengthening its position as a leading Northern, Black-led audio-visual facility. 
• Annie Little Hair Arts | BLCKSTR will use the award to 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.
• S.O.U.L. Fest will use the funding to strengthen its commercial resilience through specialist sponsorship consultancy, fundraising support and talent PR ahead of the 2027 festival.  
• Black Women in Scripted will use the award to develop into a sustainable, year-round platform, delivering at least six initiatives and 200 participant places for Black women across scripted film and television. 

The two organisations receiving funding for projects advancing race equity are: 

• Creative Access received the award to create a pipeline of board-ready Black and Global Majority leaders, supporting 16 mid-to-senior screen professionals and engaging 50 more through a masterclass and networking events. 
• Futures in Film was awarded to develop and pilot a practical Faith Inclusion Toolkit to remove faith-related barriers affecting Black and Global Majority professionals across UK film and television. 

The four individuals receiving funding for personal and professional development are: 

• Amir Adhamy received the award to upgrade his editing suite through new professional equipment, software, and subscriptions. 
• Mariayah Kaderbhai will use the funding to launch Miss-Represent’s first strand on Islamophobia, producing events, interviews, and filmed content alongside a practical toolkit and ten-point framework to help challenge harmful representation in the screen industries. 
• Moses Ssebandeke will use the funding to develop his directing practice while creating a community asset that supports other filmmakers and creatives. 
• Runako Celina received the award to help develop her filmmaking practice through storytelling platform ReRooted, which will feed into The ReRooted Room, a community of over 25 Black and Brown creatives.

Marcus Ryder, CEO at the Charity, said: ​“Once again, we saw an incredibly strong field of applications, demonstrating the depth of talent, creativity and leadership among Black and Global Majority professionals across our industry.

We believe these awards will make a real difference, not only to the individuals and organisations receiving funding, but also by helping to address some of the systemic barriers that continue to drive racial inequity in film and television.

That reflects the Charity’s wider mission: supporting people who need help today while also tackling the underlying causes of inequality. Reel Impact has been a powerful example of how investing in both can create lasting change.”

How the Reel Impact Awards created a lasting legacy for Black and Global Majority professionals

With the announcement of 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. 

Reflecting on 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. 

Among them is Dr Mena Fombo, who has gone on to develop her skills as a self-shooting sports documentary director and secure media accreditation with Matchroom Boxing, supporting work on her latest documentary. Simone Pennant MBE, Founder and CEO of The TV Collective, also received this year’s BAFTA Television Craft Special Award in recognition of more than two decades of driving positive change across the industry.