News

We’re super proud to have just wrapped on one of our most dynamic and collaborative training programmes to date – bringing together passionate guest contributors, skilled facilitators, industry partners, and an inspiring group of trainees. This round of the programme didn’t just build skills; it built confidence, community and genuine pathways into industry.

A huge part of the success of this round came from the exceptional group of industry professionals who generously shared their time, insight, and experience. We were honoured to be joined by Chris Hees, BAFTA‑winning and Oscar‑nominated producer and founder of Bridge Way Films, whose frontline perspective on producing offered trainees an invaluable look at international filmmaking.

We also benefited from the creative leadership of Holly Holdsworth, writer/director and founder of SWIF (South West Independent Film), whose session encouraged the trainees to think boldly about their craft and community.

Katherine Nash, Head of Studios at The Bottle Yard Studios, provided an insider’s perspective on how one of the region’s major production hubs operates, giving a real sense of how things work behind the scenes at a studio.

Adding a fascinating dive into the craft of world-building, Luke Whitelock, Art Director on blockbuster productions including Batman and Cruella, guided trainees through the creative and technical detail that brings screen worlds to life.

We were also delighted to welcome Sarah Smithers, Director of Photography and founder of Bristol Crew, who shared her expertise in camera, lighting, and visual storytelling, while also championing regional crew development.

Rounding out our contributors, Tara Milne, Film and TV Marketing and PR Consultant, delivered a fascinating session on how projects find and connect with their audiences – highlighting the importance of communication, branding, and strategic storytelling across the production lifecycle.

One of the defining highlights of this round was our collaboration with the independent short film Roisin and Raela, which opened its set to our trainees for hands‑on work experience. This opportunity gave participants a chance to apply their skills in a live production environment, gaining confidence, on‑set etiquette, and real industry understanding.

Our gratitude also extends to Latent Pictures, who led a highly praised Set‑Ready session, preparing trainees for the expectations and rhythm of life on set. Their expertise laid a strong foundation for trainees entering professional environments.

We were equally delighted to host our final session at The Sheds, MyWorld Studios, whose state‑of‑the‑art facilities and generous support helped us end the programme on a high.

This year’s programme was expertly shaped and supported by Matt and Cara from CineRPG, whose facilitation brought structure, creativity and care to every session. Their leadership played a key role in building a welcoming and empowering environment for all trainees.

From hands-on workshops to industry‑led masterclasses, from studio tours to real‑world work experience, this year’s programme demonstrated the power of partnership and the importance of opening doors for emerging production talent. Trainees challenged themselves, collaborated across disciplines, and discovered new strengths – all while building confidence and community.

We’re excited to build on this momentum and continue creating pathways into the industry for production talent across the region. The contributions from this year’s collaborators have set a strong foundation and we can’t wait to see what comes next!

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