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26 Oct 2022

2022 Indie Diversity Scheme in London underway

It's our largest intake to date on the Pact entry-level talent development programme aimed at young people from groups traditionally under-represented in TV, with 12 indies offering six-month long paid placements to 13 promising young people...

The 9th edition of the Pact Indie Diversity Scheme in London is underway. 

Photo of the group of participants on the 2022 Pact Indie Diversity Scheme, some sat in the front row others standing behind.

Our entry-level talent development programme is aimed at young people from groups traditionally under-represented in TV, including ethnic minorities, women, LGBT people, people living with disabilities and people from lower socio-economic groups.

As well as hands-on entry-level experience, participants receive bespoke training from ScreenSkills on topics such as copyright, storytelling, research skills and camera operating, and support from a high-level mentor at their indie production company.

The indies taking part this year are: Hat Trick Productions, South Shore, IMG, Fremantle, Nutopia, Warner Bros., HiddenLight Productions, Studio Leo (part of The Argonon Group), Wonderhood Studios, Initial (part of Banijay), BriteSpark Films (part of The Argonon Group) and Raw Cut. 

Between them they are offering six-month long paid placements to 13 promising young people – the Scheme’s largest intake to date. 

Steve Warr, CEO of Raw Cut who are taking part in the Scheme for the first time commented: “When you’re busy making programmes sometimes it’s hard to remember just how difficult it was to get into telly in the first place. But it was, and still is, exceedingly difficult, especially if you have no family connections, no old school or elite college networks … and no money to work for free in an expensive city. That’s why Raw Cut has signed up to Pact’s Indie Diversity Scheme – to help make TV a better, more inclusive and more representative industry.” 

Fathima Abdullah, who is doing her placement with Warner Bros., said: "Before starting on the scheme, I was very nervous but already I feel I am learning a whole lot about the industry. I'm excited to see what the next few months bring." 

Stefan Pollak, a production trainee at Freemantle said: "I had to apply, considering the lack of opportunities and schemes aimed at Disabled creatives, I knew this Pact Diversity scheme could really further my career and be invaluable experience."

“I’m delighted that this is our biggest intake so far,” added Anjani Patel, Pact’s Head of Inclusion & Diversity. “It demonstrates that indies are committed to offering opportunities to new, diverse talent and making their businesses more inclusive.”

Almost 100 individuals have now been through the Pact Indie Diversity Scheme in London since it began in 2013, with many staying on and progressing within the industry in part thanks to Pact’s on-going support for its alumni. Pact also runs an Indie Diversity Scheme in Scotland, with support from Screen Scotland and Scotland-based indies.

For more information about how to get involved in a future edition of the Indie Diversity Scheme, please contact Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Anjani Patel: anjani@pact.co.uk.

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