WFTV 2026: EMPOWERING WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Women in Film and TV UK have announced the 2026 Four Nations Mentoring Scheme cohort, with Liverpool Film Office Screen Alliance North (Screen Manchester, Screen Yorkshire, North East Screen) supporting ten northern women to take part and take their next career step in the screen industry.

Designed for mid-career women working in film, television, and creative media, this scheme offers unparalleled opportunities to accelerate careers in an industry where women remain underrepresented in leadership roles. 

We’re proud to have Liverpool-based industry professionals, co-founder and writer Helen Blakeman and Production Development Producer Hannah Robinson, join this year’s northern cohort. They join a national scheme continuing WFTV’s efforts to empower women in the screen industries, bringing together over 50 mentees from across England, North Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Over a six-month program, mentees will benefit from one-to-one mentoring with senior industry professionals, alongside peer-to-peer training and bespoke career and personal development workshops.  

Screen Alliance North, with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, are proud to back the scheme for the second year running supporting 10 women from the North of England to take part. 

Penny Hall, Partnership Lead at Screen Alliance North; said “We are delighted to give northern women the opportunity to enhance their careers in the Film and Television industry through this national scheme which has such a prestigious list of mentors. Last year’s cohort gained so much from the mentoring programme which developed their networks and routes for collaboration as well as honing their industry skills. We can’t wait to see the progress of this group this year.”  

Helen Bullough, North of England producer for WFTV’s Four Nations Mentoring Scheme said: “We’re made up that we’ve been able to increase the number of places on offer in the North of England this year to ten, reflecting both the increased demand from the region and the remarkable pool of talent here.  Across the UK we make sure there’s a rich cross section of crafts and skills reflected in the cohorts and we can’t wait to get to work and help supercharge the careers of these ten talented women from the North!”  

Katie Bailiff, CEO of WFTV, added, “The Four Nations Mentor Scheme encapsulates everything WFTV aims to achieve by unlocking opportunities and inspiring change across our industry. We’re proud to continue nurturing growth and representation in the creative sector. This year’s mentors are some of the most inspiring people in TV and Film, we are fortunate to have them involved in the scheme sharing their experience and wisdom with women looking to excel in their careers.” 

Mentors for the North of England cohort this year include Caroline Richards, Head of Production at Big Talk Studios, Emma Lawson, Commissioning Editor at BBC Comedy and Emily Feller, Chief Creative Officer, Warp Films.