The BFI NETWORK & Bafta Mentoring programme is supported by BFI NETWORK
BAFTA Partners

BFI NETWORK & BAFTA Mentoring

In partnership with BFI Flare.

Supporting the next generation of LGBTQIA+ creatives progress in their career. 

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Credit: BAFTA/Jordan Anderson
A BAFTA Mentees Lab in action.
Meet the current Mentees
Meet the 2025 Mentees

Are you a LGBTQIA+ creative looking for additional career development support as you work towards your debut feature, TV pilot or online commission? The BFI NETWORK & BAFTA Mentoring programme in partnership with BFI Flare, could be for you.

Who is the programme for?

The programme is open to UK based writers, directors and producers who are working towards a debut feature length project, television pilot or online commission.

You will already have experience writing, producing or directing a short, full-length theatre work or broadcasted radio piece but now you are ready for the next step. Run in partnership with BFI NETWORK and BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, the programme enables six creatives to strengthen their networks and explore the reality of creating long-form LGBTQIA+ work in the UK.

We want to hear from you if you have written, produced or directed a short film which has:

  • Screened at a BAFTA qualifying festival within the last three years or screened at a number of international LGBTQIA+ film festivals

 

Or for writers if you have had:

  • One piece of full-length theatre work performed professionally in the UK or one broadcasted radio credit

 

Please note: If your film has not screened at BAFTA-qualifying or international festivals, but has received specific recognition from LGBTQIA+ communities, we encourage you to apply.

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LGBTQIA+ creatives supported since 2016

What will you receive?

Six successful applicants will get access to:

  • A day long intensive lab exploring the LGBTQIA+ creative landscape with senior industry, festival filmmakers, programme alumni and programme team during the BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. This will take place at BAFTA
  • Access to a networking event celebrating LGBTQIA+ creatives across the crafts during BFI Flare
  • One-to-one mentoring from senior industry figures and filmmakers throughout the year. This is to help expand your professional network and provide support with sustaining your career
  • Four one-to-one meetings on wellbeing and career coaching
  • Complimentary three-year access to BAFTA Connect, our membership tier for emerging and mid-level creatives in film, games and television
  • Complimentary industry accreditation for BFI Flare and BFI London Film Festival. This includes access to screenings, networking opportunities and the Festival’s Digital Viewing Library.

This programme is funded by BFI NETWORK, awarding National Lottery funding.

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Progress your Career
The BFI NETWORK & Bafta Mentoring programme is supported by BFI NETWORK
BAFTA Partners

BFI NETWORK is the primary supporter of the BFI NETWORK and BAFTA Mentoring Programme, in partnership with BFI Flare. It offers bespoke mentoring, industry exposure, and networking opportunities, empowering the next generation of LGBTQIA+ creatives working in film and television. To date, the programme has supported over 50 emerging creatives, many of whom have gone on to achieve significant success, with several earning BAFTA nominations and wins.

Made possible through National Lottery funding, BFI NETWORK exists to support and develop talented early career screenwriters, directors and producers. Collaborating with film organisations and leading cultural venues across the UK it provides funding for short films, support for the development of first features, as well as a range of professional and creative development programmes.

The BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image.