Women in Film & Television was thrilled to receive an award for Technical Change from Diverse Talent.

Diverse Talent is headed up by Skillset and the UK Film Council and aims to promote diversity and entrepreneurship across film, television and interactive media.

Technical Change, backed by the European Social Fund’s EQUAL Programme and United International Pictures, was set up in 2005 to provide financial support, mentors and high-level work experience for women working in the technical grades. Mentors included Henry Braham (The Golden Compass), Seamus McGarvey (Atonement) and Emma E Hickox (The Edge of Love).

The Diverse Talent award was for best mentoring project and recognises the success of the six Technical Change placements as well as acknowledging the hard work put in by WFTV over the two years of the scheme.

On accepting the award on behalf of WFTV, Project Manager Jemima Gibbons said:

“Technical Change uncovered some interesting issues. For example, we know a lot of light-hearted banter goes on in development labs, on film sets, on any project where people work under pressure for long hours.

“What we must remember is that one person’s casual banter can amount to another person’s bullying, especially when it continues day in day out. Stereotypes still abound and prejudice against women still exists. We hope Technical Change has done something to change that.”

Women supported by Technical Change include Anna Dick, currently assistant editing the new Richard Curtis film, The Boat That Rocked, and Anna Carrington, who recently lit her first documentary feature, Welcome Aboard Toxic Airlines, which had a theatrical release in the UK and has been selected for various film festivals.

Mentoring is incredibly important to Women in Film & Television and we hope this award leads to further recognition and support for work in this area in future.

[Technical change project manager Jemima Gibbons (left) receiving her award and flowers.]