Step Up to first time feature filmmaking for disabled directors and producers

Step Up 2024

Dates: 15th January – 26th Jan 2024

Location: In person, central London venue TBC.

Age: +18

Price: Free

Funded by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund, we are offering Step Up to first time feature filmmaking, a targeted diversity initiative supporting the continuing professional development of 8 emerging disabled writers, directors and producers.

We will offer these aspiring feature filmmakers networking, project development and creative support to get their first feature films off the ground.

This programme is designed to turbo charge careers and provide a vital step up for the disabled filmmakers of the future.

This training is supported by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions.

Who it’s for?

We especially want to encourage applications from those with non-visible disabilities – mental health issues like stress, depression or anxiety, autism, dyslexia and the hard of hearing. You may have a disability and not realise it, you may also feel uncomfortable identifying as disabled, but 104 films will welcome everyone who discloses to us they have a disability. It is important to remember that most disabilities are not visible.

This is not a programme for new entrants and applicants will be expected to have some industry experience -perhaps a BFI Network short film, or equivalent achievement in another artform such as theatre. They must also identify as disabled under the Equality Act 2010.

What it covers

Using their own projects as a case study, participants will get a comprehensive overview of what to expect when making their first feature film. We expect participants to create important industry links to move their careers forward.

Previous courses have included sessions with BFI, Film4, Kodak, Netflix U.K. film and BBC films.

This is a free course, but competition will be fierce as only 8 places are available.

This course would normally cost participants £1500, but thanks to funding from ScreenSkills, is currently being offered to you free. We understand that sometimes your plans have to change, but if you fail to attend without letting us know we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs.

Applications closed and the course ran early in 2024, for more information, see this article in Deadline. Thanks to all of those who applied. Please do keep an eye on our website for future opportunities.

This programme was supported by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions.