The BFI is investing up to £2.5m of National Lottery funding in producers from all over the UK as it announces recipients of its Vision Awards, and those selected for the new professional development programme BFI NETWORK INSIGHT. Awarding up to £2m over two years to 20 producers and producer teams, Vision Awards are providing invaluable support and funding to some of the UK’s most exciting and ambitious producers as they are establishing their careers. Twelve emerging producers who are yet to make their first feature will benefit from the comprehensive BFI NETWORK INSIGHT programme.
Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive, said:
“When all parts of our industry are feeling the impacts of this shut down, investment in our independent producers is more important than ever. They are the cornerstone of our industry, and these early career producers will be central to bringing exciting talent together to create powerful and culturally diverse stories. It is the strength of these stories and their ability to connect with audiences, which will play a central role in our industry’s continued cultural and economic success, as well as its recovery.”
These two distinct but complimentary programmes offer crucial support to early career producers. Recipients across both programmes represent a diverse group of producers with over 35% from outside London and the South East, over 70% are female or part of a female producing duos, and over 35% underrepresented ethnicities.
BFI VISION AWARDS 2020-22:
Sarah Brocklehurst, Sarah Brocklehurst Productions Ltd
Sarah started her career in the theatre industry before producing her first feature Black Pond, directed by Will Sharpe and Tom Kingsley, which was nominated for the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut. Most recently, Sarah produced the BIFA-winning Animals, directed by Sophie Hyde, written by Emma Jane Unsworth, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Sarah has been named a Screen Star of Tomorrow and a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit, and her company was selected as one of the UK’s top emerging production companies in Screen Daily’s Brit 50 list.