Skills - Meet the Team
SkillsBabak Jani
Head of Skills
Babak Jani known as Babi is a former academic and a cinematographer with experience across film, TV, commercials, animation, and games.
Experienced in the creative industry and passionate about education, Babi is enterprising in equality and diversity programmes. In a time when investing in creative skills is paramount for our industry's growth, Babi, with a foundation in the film industry, has honed his craft for over 18 years. His journey was augmented with 11 years of experience in Higher and Further education and training programmes, supplementing his understanding of creativity's elaborateness.
By recognising equality and diversity as the principal of his practice, Babi has led transformative initiatives. He acknowledges that the vibrant tapestry of backgrounds and perspectives fuels innovation. Amidst this pivotal moment, he is committed to fortifying existing efforts and pioneering fresh avenues for inclusive growth.
Babi fosters collaboration and innovations as our creative industries evolve to shape creative skills and cultivate a community that thrives on openness, where creative minds can flourish.
Moira McVean
Mentoring & Young Audiences Manager
A mentor with Arts Emergency, Moira set up Film London’s Connect Mentoring Programme to support new and early entrants to the film industry. A passionate advocate for equitable opportunities for children and young people, Moira joined Film London in 2018 as the Young Audiences Manager to support independent cinemas to develop young audiences (16-30) for independent film. Previously a Curator at the Barbican, Moira specialised in programming for families and children, moving into film education in 2012 as Into Film’s Head of Curation for their 5–19-year-olds schools programme. Moira is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Film London.
Azariah Jade
Industry Skills Partnership Manager
Beginning her creative career as a Scripted TV intern at Universal, Azariah is now our Industry Skills Partnership Manager. Her role is two-fold; identifying that the mission is more than making the industry's door accessible to get into, it's also about creating a conducive environment for these individuals to grow and thrive in, Azariah not only champions and supports our Members, she also supports media organisations, studios, broadcasters and productions with identifying, developing and retaining underrepresented talent.
With a rich background collaborating with renowned companies like UKTV, Two Brothers Pictures, NBC Universal, Left Bank and more, Azariah’s expertise is in crafting initiatives uniquely tailored to address identified industry skills gaps. She aligns her work with the dynamic needs of our partners, responding to industry reports and trends. Whether the demand is for nurturing below-the-line talent through Traineeships or facilitating programs to boost mid-senior level careers, Azariah shapes bespoke initiatives that directly address the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities in the media landscape.
Tomi Ojo
Equal Access Network Membership & Projects Manager
As the EAN's Membership & Projects Manager, Tomi is responsible for all programme and industry partnership recruitment, ensuring that opportunities align with the EAN's ethos, goals and standards. With a proven track record in crewing, outreach and recruitment within the screen industries, Tomi has developed ongoing relationships with various productions and in-house contacts to distribute industry roles at all levels to EAN members.
Alongside this, Tomi manages the EAN membership, oversees the benefits provided to members and maintains all communications. With the launch of Film London STRIDE, she will focus on ensuring that all robust EAN training, mentoring and industry job opportunities are communicated efficiently and made accessible to members.Tomi has a genuine passion for providing opportunities within the screen industry and leading initiatives that create a positive impact. She is committed to ensuring that those working behind the scenes accurately reflect the diversity of the capital and receive genuine support while navigating this industry, with a strong emphasis on mental health and wellbeing.
Graham Godard
EAN and Creative Skills Training Coordinator
Graham's role involves the programming and delivery of the 32hr and 60hr AEB training courses for members of the Equal Access Network. Working closely with industry professionals and training providers to ensure that we deliver valuable opportunities to those wishing to start their career or continue to build on their experience in the screen industries across Film, TV, Animation and Games. As part of the skills team, Graham is also involved in the planning and facilitation of other opportunities including virtual masterclasses, workshops, drop-in sessions and providing information, advice and guidance to our Equal Access Network
Kadijha Kamara
Skills Coordinator
EAN member Kadijha Kamara, joined as a member of staff in October 2022, formerly co-leading our ESF Creative Skills Academy and Creativity Squared courses, which supported job seekers with employability skills needed for the industry. She’s now the EAN’s Skills Support Coordinator, helping the team to book guests for our AEB workshops and monthly virtual masterclasses. She also provides admin support to the Film London Connect Mentoring Manager, and represents the EAN at events.
Kadijha is a big advocate for transferable skills, having worked as an administrator in the healthcare sector, before previously joining ScreenSkills, as their Bursaries Assistant.
Luke Costen
Skills Team Administrator
Luke is the Skills Team Administrator – working across the Skills Team, supporting the team with the planning and delivery of many of our projects, Luke also curate sthe newsletter on a weekly basis. Luke is passionate about diversifying the screen industry. He believes what we see on our screens and the teams behind the camera should reflect the society we live in.
Nick Peter Yee
Skills & Opportunities Coordinator
Having worked as department Coordinator on Film and High-End TV Productions, and subsequently, in Development, Nicholas Peter Yee (Nick) is now Film London’s new Skills & Opportunities Coordinator. His experiences working in various areas and stages of the Film and TV industry has given him insight into its dynamic, ever-evolving nature. As such, through the Skills Team at Film London, he is committed to help improve equitable access to the UK screen industries for emerging talent from diverse backgrounds – both in front of and behind the camera – in order to promote stories and representation on and off-screen.
Nick’s role involves working with and supporting the Babi & the Skills Team as well as the EAN with its programmes and in supporting its members. Nick will also be involved in the development of the new schemes and initiatives in association with Film London’s industry partners such as 60Forty, UKTV, and NBCUniversal.
Tia Ali
Mentoring Coordinator
Tia has experience in the creative industry working in talent development across publishing, theatre and film supporting emerging and established artists as a producer, facilitator and script editor focusing on underrepresented talent.
In her role as Mentoring Coordinator, Tia continues her passion to support new entrants accessing the screen industry by connecting them with professional creatives from a range of disciplines across the film sector to network, learn and develop skills to help increase their access to opportunities.
As an advocate for underrepresented talent taking up space in front of and behind the camera for authentic storytelling that is reflective of the UK landscape, Tia is committed to helping break barriers for improved accessibility to the screen industry.’