Film London as part of the BFI's Metro London Skills Cluster supported by the National Lottery Fund, is delighted to introduce the cohort selected for a new skills programme supported by Sony Pictures Entertainment (“SPE”) and Channel 4. The Hair and Makeup Aesthetics Academy seeks to improve the diversity of Hair & Makeup crews on UK film and TV productions, reduce industry skills gaps and ensure the long-term well-being and employability of participants.

With two tailored pathways, Aesthetics Academy is designed to support both mid-career and entry-level talent with hands-on training, mentoring and post-programme industry support.

For new entrants, the Aesthetic Trailblazers cohort supports those with hair and/or makeup experience outside of the industry in transferring to the hair and makeup department of Film and TV. Participants will engage in a comprehensive 8-session training course, delivered by Iver Makeup Academy, to develop cutting-edge skills, including special effects, period makeup, hair and wigs, and techniques tailored to all skin tones and hair textures.

The Aesthetic Trailblazers cohort are:

• Aedita Murua
• Dorothy Benjamin
• Francess Adella George
• Folake Kassim
• Kirsty Oman
• Lara Shwani

Film London’s Equal Access Network will also deliver on-set etiquette training, support from industry professionals and networking opportunities to enhance the employability of trainees and ensure the UK film and TV sector retains a skilled workforce. Additionally, the Aesthetic Trailblazers will be matched with mentors from the programme’s Elevation Squad, encouraging community building, growth and development for all participants.

The Aesthetics Academy Elevation Squad will equip existing Film and TV Hair and Makeup professionals with the training and support needed to progress to Designer level. The 8-session training course, delivered by BLCKSTR, covers advanced skills in budgeting, team building and management, and cross-production design, empowering participants to take on Head of Department positions in High-End TV (HETV), feature films, and scripted drama.

The Elevation Squad cohort are:

• Aminat Bolaji
• Emma McRae
• Junior Green
• Laura McGowan-Faulkner
• Sandra Hadi
• Uche Abuah

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London said:

“We are delighted to welcome twelve incredible individuals onto the Aesthetics Academy, a ground-breaking programme and a hallmark of our work as part of the BFI’s Metro London Skills Cluster. Underpinning all film and TV production is our world-class crew base, who are the very lifeblood of our screen industries. A recent study from ScreenSkills and 4Skills, conducted by Ampere Analysis, confirmed that UK screen industries create jobs for over 190,000 people. Regional clusters, working in tandem with a national skills strategy are vital in ensuring that skills gaps are addressed. To ensure the UK remains at the heart of cutting-edge film and TV production, we must continue to invest in our workforce and improve the diversity of our crews. I would like to thank Sony Pictures Entertainment and Channel 4 for their funding and engagement in this programme and look forward to seeing how the selected participants progress in their careers.”

With funding support from SPE and Channel 4, Film London’s Aesthetic Academy is delivered as part of the BFI's Metro London Skills Cluster supported by the National Lottery Fund. As Cluster lead, Film London works to ensure the capital’s screen industries retain a skilled and diverse workforce by focusing on employability, crew retention and progression, as well as curriculum development for higher education.

Aesthetic Trailblazers

Dorothy Benjamin, said:

“Over the last 20 year+ I been working with the hair and beauty industry and within the last 4 years have added Aesthetics treatments. I fully enjoy my day to day in salon life and really applied for the programme to learn more and elevate my skills to transfer to TV and Film. I believe even with many years experience you can always learn more to be the best you can be.”

Francess Adella George, said:

“I’m Francess George, a paediatric nurse with a strong passion for hairstyling—especially braiding. Over the years, I’ve developed my skills in hair and now I’m excited to take things further by exploring the world of film and TV. Through the Aesthetics Academy, I’m looking forward to learning new makeup techniques and building on my hair skills so I can bring meaningful creative looks to life on screen.”

Folake Kassim, said:

“I am a hairstylist, educator, and trainee trichologist skilled across all hair types, with a specialism in curly textured hair. My background in education and empowerment informs my detail-oriented, culturally sensitive approach to visual character development. Selected for the Aesthetic Trailblazers cohort, I aim to master production workflows, period accuracy techniques, and narrative continuity while helping drive more inclusive representation throughout the industry ecosystem. My goal is to contribute to authentic visual storytelling that celebrates diverse identities both on and off screen.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​”

Kirsty Oman, said:

“I’m Kirsty a lover of all things hair from London. I’ve always had a natural affinity for hairstyling and have worked on session, bridal, and freelance projects. My favourite part of the process is witnessing a transformation unfold and bringing creative visions to life. I’m passionate about exploring the range and versatility that hair offers. I’m excited to be part of this programme and hope to develop industry specific skills, and gain real insight into working in film and TV.”

Lara Shwani, said:

“I come from a hairdressing background and have a huge interest in TV and Film hair and makeup. I have been actively looking for opportunities in the industry for a very long time and I am very grateful to have come across this opportunity. I hope to gain a better understanding of the Hair and Makeup Department and look forward to building my skills in both hair and makeup.”

Elevation Squad

Aminat Bolaji, said:

“I am a professional makeup artist who just recently relocated from Nigeria where I was one of the Top Makeup Artists in the West African region, with vast experience working on a variety of projects including Television Commercials, music videos for some of the biggest Afrobeats artists, award winning Films as well as fashion and editorial photoshoots. Haven recently moved to London and already making indelible marks with my immense talent, evidenced by my work as Key Makeup Artist on the World Remit “I’m migrant” Campaign which is on Billboards and newspapers around the UK, I put in for the Aesthetic Academy’s Elevation Squad programme in order to further augment my knowledge of the Makeup Industry in the UK and learn more about being a Makeup & Hair Designer here in the UK as well as to build a network of colleagues and mentors that i can always reach out to.”

Emma McRae, said:

“I am a hair and makeup artist working in TV and film. I have over 15 years’ experience in the beauty, hair and makeup industry. My experience encompasses the areas of advertising, fashion, editorial, bridal, television and film. Having worked in HETV and Film for the last 5 years, I have progressed to become a supervisor on Riches, Dreaming Whilst Black (BAFTA nominated) and We Are Lady Parts. I would like to develop my career by cementing all knowledge I have learnt and work towards becoming a hair and makeup designer in TV and Film whilst working on creating diverse and highly talented teams.”

Junior Green, said:

“With 43 years in the hairdressing industry, I am a multi-award-winning hairstylist and expert in textured hair. My work includes high profile productions like Bridgerton and Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight, as well as the BAFTAs red carpet and major commercial campaigns. I serve as Head of Textured Hair Innovation and sit on the executive board of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing. I’m also a judge for top industry names such as L’Oréal and leading publications. I continue to push creative boundaries and mentor the next generation of hairstylists. On completion of this programme, l hope to gain a vast amount of knowledge that will equip me to confidently apply for designer roles within the industry.”

Laura McGowan-Faulkner, said:

“I’ve wanted to be a hair and makeup artist since I was a teenager and finally went back to retrain at 30. Since then I have worked consistently across HETV and film. I started designing more recently and found a passion I didn’t know I had. I hope to gain further insight into the design aspect of the industry and guidance on pursuing and succeeding in the next stage in my career.”

Sandra Hadi, said:

“I’m a professional makeup artist with over 20 years of experience across film, TV, fashion, music, and commercial projects. My journey began in 2001 with training in beauty therapy and theatrical makeup, and I built my career through hands-on experience, passion, and persistence. I’ve designed and supervised makeup for short films, indie features, and Band 1 TV shows, with expertise in beauty, character, and SFX, along with strong hairstyling skills. I’m now at a point in my career where I’m ready to step into designer roles on high-end TV and film productions, while also nurturing new talent. Elevation Squad will give me the tools and support to do both.”

Uche Abuah, said:

“I’m an actress, producer, and award-winning natural hair stylist and educator. On screen, I’ve had the joy of playing a series regular on the Apple TV show Silo, along with appearing in a range of TV commercials and films. Off-screen, I specialise in textured hair—offering everything from microlocs and bridal hair and makeup to curl cutting, colouring, and styling. In 2016, I opened my first salon, Natural Gloe Hair and Beauty, a space devoted to celebrating and caring for natural textures. As an educator, I’m passionate about empowering stylists through hands-on workshops in braiding and loc techniques. My journey of blending film and styling began in 2012 when I worked as Hair Designer for the indie film Woolwich Boys, and since then, I’ve brought my skills to productions across the UK and Nigeria.”

For more information on Film London’s Hair and Makeup Aesthetics Academy, visit here or contact equalaccess@filmlondon.org.uk.