Laide Sadiq – Producer/Edit Producer, Freelance
The festival was a big rush of excitement (mixed with a little anxiety!) but for the most part a profound and positively challenging experience.
Ones to watch Testimonials
Ones To Watch is our career development scheme for TV’s rising stars with more than three years of experience in the industry. Ones To Watch delegates who are working to progress their careers in television benefit from bespoke closed-door workshops and masterclasses, a free TV Festival pass, and mentoring.
Here’s what our alumni had to say about their experiences of being on the scheme.
Art Sejdiu – Channel Executive, Channel 4
OTW was a total career gamechanger for me. It gave me unbelievable access to the biggest players in the industry and paired me with a top-tier, hands-on mentor
Melody Ruiz – Producer, Freelance
Through OTW I gained the clarity to know I wanted to switch genres and gained contacts (one in particular) who helped me make that move. So it really was a game changer!
Mary Johnston – Producer, Doubleband Films
From taking part in the live pitch (as terrifying as it sounds) to socialising at the end of each day, everything was a learning experience in getting to know the industry and the people in it. It is intense – I would describe it as a non-stop, high octane, crazy train of a week.
CJ Weerasinghe – Scheduler, Vice
I’ve been lucky enough to be paired with a brilliant mentor is really committed to my growth and development. I still pinch myself that I was given this opportunity and I know that this is just the beginning.
Sholla Coker – Drama Development Executive, Two Halves Pictures
I certainly left each session with the knowledge that my success was not foretold by anybody else’s. And perhaps most importantly, that it was OK, advisable even, to simply work hard, and to run my own race.
Chris Lindsay – Writer, Freelance
I’m not really from a typical ‘telly background’ and until I did the scheme had always felt a bit self conscious / out of place. I feel the scheme equipped me to far better navigate the industry while still being myself.
Roanne Bardsley – Writer, Lime Pictures
I think the memory that sticks out for me is watching with my Ones To Watch peers as Armando Iannucci delivered the festival MacTaggart Speech. It was a rousing call to arms to save the BBC and our industry
Allanah Langstaff – Producer, Freelance
Ones To Watch made me appreciate the learning opportunities that came with being where I was in my career. It reminded me that a successful career was one to be nurtured and that I ought to think more tactically about opportunities.
Kieran Doherty – Joint Managing Director, Stellify Media
Every single person I met had the ability to advance my career. And every single person I met took the time to offer me advice and encouragement. It was brilliant.
Fintan Maguire – Director of Factual, Rumpus Media
The kudos of being on the Ones To Watch scheme and winning the Pitch gave me an edge with employers, as well as a new sense of self, that boosted my enthusiasm and prospects
Jonathan Meenagh – Development Consultant, Freelance
To meet such a wide range or people of a similar level, and with similar interests and excitement for TV, it was hugely inspiring.
Katy Thorogood – Chief Creative Officer, True North
The energy of the place, feeling like I was part of a whole industry instead of a very small cog in a tiny enclave. I loved sharing a flat with other people on the scheme from different parts of the industry