Visionaries Testimonials

The festival was a big rush of excitement (mixed with a little anxiety!) but for the most part a profound and positively challenging experience.

This 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

Through the programme 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

I think the memory that sticks out for me is watching with my cohort as Armando Iannucci delivered the festival MacTaggart Speech. It was a rousing call to arms to save the BBC and our industry

This has 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.

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.

The kudos of being on the 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

To meet such a wide range or people of a similar level, and with similar interests and excitement for TV, it was hugely inspiring.

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

I had the opportunity to listen to and meet with industry figures that I would never normally ever get to interact with. Everyone in the industry should attend the TV Festival at least once in their career.

It’s been invaluable – it has created work opportunities, connected me to industry leaders and a fantastic peer group, as well as inspiring me to engage with the key issues facing TV. I’d recommend the scheme to anyone looking to step up in their career and immerse themselves in...

I have been in touch with people who have contacted me as a direct result of my time on the scheme and it has given me a massive amount of confidence when it comes to finding my place in the industry.