Last Wednesday, the Skills Team at Film London were delighted to host their first Equal Access Network Talent Showcase. The event was a unique opportunity to gain access to meaningful conversations, build invaluable relationships, and meet potential collaborators and talent from across the industry. With panels and a talent showcase, it was more than a networking event—it was a chance for all involved to position themselves at the heart of a thriving community dedicated to elevating talent and shaping the future of the industry.

To kick things off, our very own Azariah Jade, Industry Skills Partnership Manager, chaired an industry panel discussion titled, ‘Investing in Tomorrow, Developing Crew Today.’ Azariah was joined by

• - Rico Johnson-Sinclair, Training & Skills Director at Warner Bros. Discovery
• - Emma Pike, Head of Productions at Two Brothers Pictures
• - Georgie Yukiko Donovan, Director of Rising Waves
• - Cecily Barker, Production Executive of 60Forty Films.

The discussion delved into the vital role of crew development in shaping the future of the film and TV industry. Cecily championed 60Forty’s investment in pastoral care for trainees, training the trainers, conflict management, and upskilling mid-career professionals. Georgie recognised ‘the power of diverse storytelling,’ and how ‘that inevitably is a part of diverse crews.’ The Director, when asked what industry can do to bring about change, went onto stress that ‘equal and equitable’ change needs financial commitment from big stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Rico encouraged new entrants to screen, that ‘one of the things I think is quickly leaving the industry is an archaic view on professionalism, I think professionalism is behaviours, it’s not necessarily the way your perceived in the way you dress.’ And Emma, highlighted the duty of production company’s to ensure that ‘diversity, access, inclusion are not add-ons, they are fundamental and they have to be embedded in the process’, when talking to HoDs, Directors and Producers when crewing up. Two Brothers’ commitment to diversity and inclusion can be seen in their collaboration with the Equal Access Network’s Work Taster Programme, with alumni including Azariah herself.

Our industry panel, was then followed by screenings of exciting, new work produced by talented EAN members: Filmmaker Be Zilberman, screened ‘Over The Rainbow’ a short documentary charting the intersectionality between the Queer and Neurodivergent community. Temi Babasanya and Jonas Mondua shared their slick music video for Supernova, sung by Temi himself. Whilst Andra Placintescu introduced her hand-drawn animations titled ‘Mirror-Land’, created during the EAN Intro to Animation course, and ‘The Nest,’ whilst Music Composer, Alex Brown’s, light-hearted composition for the film ‘Caminandes 3,’ was enjoyed by the audience.

During a panel discussion with the Skills Team’s Tomi Ojo, Equal Access Network Membership & Projects Manager, the talented people were asked questions on how they balanced finding work in the industry, whilst also producing their own projects. The importance of looking after one’s mental health was a big factor during the open discussion, as well as financing. Andra, who celebrated raising £4k to produce her animated series with her team of animators, encouraged anyone starting out to never forget why they started drawing in the first place. Whilst for documentarians, Be mentioned how the ‘good thing to remember is to embrace change and the things you can’t control, because that’s part of the film too.’ The discussion ended with a great soundbite from Jonas, sharing what his mentor had told him when overcoming turbulent times in the industry - ‘There’s always a winter, but what follows after winter? Summer.’

A great night had all round, attended over 90 enthusiastic people willing to build their networks.

Film London and the Skills Team would like to say a big thank you to UCL East, for inviting us to host our vibrant event.