Advanced Television

Women in Film and TV launches 2026 Four Nations Mentoring Scheme

January 27, 2026

Women in Film and TV (UK) (WFTV) has announced the 2026 Four Nations Mentoring Scheme cohort. Designed for mid-career women working in film, television and creative media, the scheme offers unparalleled opportunities to accelerate careers in an industry where women remain underrepresented in leadership roles.

The scheme continues WFTV’s efforts to empower women in the screen industries by bringing together 52 mentees from across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, chosen from hundreds of applicants. Over a six-month programme, mentees will benefit from one-to-one mentoring with senior industry professionals, alongside peer-to-peer training and bespoke career and personal development workshops.

This year’s mentors feature an impressive roster of industry leaders, including Anna Hall, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Candour, Fiona Lamptey, Producer & Co-founder Juno Studios, Production Designer Gemma Jackson, and Bad Wolf’s Jane Tranter for South of England. For North of England, Commissioning Editor, BBC Comedy Emma Lawson, Monumental Television’s Debra Hayward, Senior Manager, Production Training and Industry Engagement, EMEA, Netflix Alison Small, plus previous WFTV award winners, Head of Production, ITV Studios Faiza Tovey and writer & director Chloe English. Lightbox co-founder Simon Chinn, Director Georgi Bank-Davies and Fawkes Digital’s Lucy Smith for Wales, Director of Drama for BBC Lindsay Salt, Storyboard Studios’ Natalie Humphreys and Wendy Griffin of Selkie Productions for Scotland, plus Georgia Moseley, Head of Documentary Unit at BBC Studios and Executive Producer, Emma Loach, Interim Head of Commissioning, Documentaries and Executive Producer, Gallagher Films & Co-creator of Blue Lights, Louise Gallagher for Northern Ireland and many more*.

2026 Mentor for the North of England, Chief Creative Officer for Warp Films and WFTV Board Member, Emily Feller, said: “I get to see from the inside out how WFTV are at the forefront of uplifting women in our industry. I am thrilled to be able to do a little more and be a mentor in this year’s Four Nations Mentoring Scheme. I hope I can pass on useful support based on my knowledge and experience to help foster women in their careers.”

Leading the scheme is WFTV’s Director of Mentoring, Sarah Wright, former Group Director of Acquisitions and Sky Cinema, UK & ROI, with Mentoring Producers Hannah Corneck in Wales, Hazel Marshall in Scotland, Helen Bullough in the North of England, and Sarah McCaffrey in Northern Ireland, heading up their respective nations.

Sarah Wright, Director of Mentoring, commented: “I am so excited to launch 2026’s WFTV Four Nations Mentoring Scheme. This year, we have an incredible group of 52 mentees from all around the UK, including an expanded North of England cohort, drawn from an even greater variety of roles across the industry. Added to that, we have a fabulous roster of mentors who are generously giving them their time and the benefit of their considerable experience. Our scheme is quite literally life-changing in the personal development and networking opportunities it offers.  I can’t wait to get started!”

Katie Bailiff, CEO of WFTV, added: “The Four Nations Mentoring Scheme encapsulates everything WFTV aims to achieve by unlocking opportunities and inspiring change across our industry. We’re proud to continue nurturing growth and representation in the creative sector. This year’s mentors are some of the most inspiring people in TV and Film. We are fortunate to have them involved in the scheme, sharing their experience and wisdom with women looking to excel in their careers.”

Netflix continues its  support for the Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales schemes through its Fund for Creative Equity, a programme dedicated to creating opportunities for underrepresented communities in entertainment. The England scheme is supported by the BBC, Channel 4, EON Productions, Panalux and Panavision, Pinewood, Sara Putt Associates, the Women’s Network at NBC Universal and UKTV, while SAN (Screen Alliance North) supports the North of England scheme.

Categories: Press Releases

Tags: ,