The charitable arm of the UK’s most prestigious TV industry event, The Edinburgh TV Festival (ETF) brought to you by YouTube and Freeview, today announced that 105 successful candidates have been selected for its talent schemes, Ones to Watch (OTW), TV PhD and The Network, following an application process and a series of 350 interviews conducted via video chat during a nationwide lockdown.
The schemes are part of The TV Foundation; the Festival’s charity with a mission to identify and nurture the next generation of talent from all backgrounds.
Ones to Watch, founded in 1994, is aimed at those who already have three or more years’ experience in TV and are looking to make the next big step in their career.
Of the successful applicants for OTW, more than 70% are freelance, and the remainder have been selected from leading production companies and broadcasters, including the BBC, Lime Pictures, True North and RDF. They come from all areas of the TV industry – including producers, directors, writers and journalists. Of the final 30 selected, 77% are women, 40% are from BAME backgrounds, 37% work outside of London and 33% are disabled.
The OTW candidates will enjoy three days of bespoke sessions and training, led in previous years by prominent industry executives and creatives including Jay Hunt, Ben Frow, Charlotte Moore and Angela Jain as well as access to the digital edition of the TV Festival in August. In addition, they will receive 12 months of mentoring from senior industry figures.
The Network is the TV Foundation’s scheme for aspiring industry entrants. This year’s delegates represent every region in the UK, 43% identify as BAME and 21% as disabled. Network delegates will be given three days of sessions designed to introduce them to every aspect of the TV industry and equip them to begin successful TV careers. They also receive a year of mentoring and ongoing access to the TV Foundation’s job pool.
“Pivoting to an online selection process and delivery in this uncertain time hasn’t been without challenges, but there was never any question of us taking a year off. Our delegates represent the best of current and future industry excellence and the support we can provide will hopefully make sure that not only do we not lose these brilliant talents but see them thrive.”
Sarah Vignoles, Talent Schemes Director, The TV Foundation
TV PhD is a joint venture between the TV Foundation and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). It gives 15 early career researchers an intensive introduction to TV to equip them with the tools to work in or with the TV industry once they have completed their PhDs.
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, funds internationally outstanding independent researchers across the whole range of the arts and humanities: history, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, languages and literature, design, heritage, area studies, the creative and performing arts, and much more.
The quality and range of research, supported by AHRC, works for the good of UK society and culture and contributes both to UK economic success and to the culture and welfare of societies across the globe.