At Into Film, a key part of our work involves democratising access to careers in the screen industries and helping young people to see themselves represented in the sector. Many young people think the screen industries only offer creative roles, or only exist in London and that a university degree is a must-have: we want to ensure they understand that none of those things are true.
Good-quality experiences in workplaces can be a great way to find out more about an industry, to test out whether a role is something that might appeal, to inform future career decisions, and to debunk some of the common myths. Our ScreenWorks programme (funded by Northern Ireland Screen) has been doing just that for several years now, and we're keen to continue offering opportunities like this to young people in other nations of the UK.
In March 2025, Year 12 students from schools across Sheffield (Meadowhead School Academy Trust, All Saints Catholic High School, Tapton School and Kenwood Academy) joined our first in-person work experience programme in England. More than half the attendees were from groups currently underrepresented in the screen industries.
Led by supervising locations manager, Ben Ahmed, whose credits include The Way, The School for Good and Evil and Juice, the group of 19 young people took part in a range of activities to help them uncover what a career in screen might involve. Working to an industry script, they completed a location-scouting task, practiced locations marshalling, tried out on-set walkie-talkie lingo, and got their hands on the equipment used in industry.
The experience followed the revised Gatbsy Benchmarks for good careers guidance by providing extensive two-way interactions between the young people and industry professionals. Participants took part in a creative, industry-set task, which they pitched in front of industry professionals and peers, benefiting from industry feedback.
The participants also heard from a casting director, set decorator, third assistant director and a producer - all of whom work in or have connections to the region - as well as hearing first-hand how they could take a step closer to the industry by building local experience through Sheffield DocFest and BFI Film Academy.
The young people enjoyed the week, describing it as enlightening, inspiring and encouraging. They had the opportunity to practice skills and overcome fears around speaking up in front of others, managing transport to a new place, and working collaboratively with others to problem-solve, as well as starting to build a network of peers with similar interests. "This week has been engaging and a new experience that has given me insight into the film industry. I am glad to have had it", said one participant.
All participants agreed or strongly agreed that the experience had enhanced their confidence in making decisions about their future career path; connected them with local industry professionals; and broadened their awareness of careers in the screen industries.
Thanks to Screen Yorkshire, Creative England, Sheffield DocFest and BFI Film Academy.
Looking for work experience opportunities for the young people you support? We are working with Careers and Enterprise Company in West Yorkshire and Lancashire to bring further work experiences to young people in these regions.
We have also partnered with Speakers for Schools to offer a virtual work experience that young people aged 14-19 can sign up to. Lights, Camera… Who Else? Discover Hidden Film and TV Roles will take place from Monday 30 June - Wednesday 2 July, from 10:00am to 15:00pm. The deadline to sign up is Friday 30 May.