Film & TV Charity Launches £2m COVID-19 Fund

The Film & TV Charity has today launched a new COVID-19 recovery fund, aimed at protecting diverse talent.

The £2m fund, will support UK film, TV and cinema workers who have been badly impacted by coronavirus. Its focus will be on protecting the industry’s “diverse talent pipeline” by centering on those most affected. Citing their own research, No One Left Behind: Identifying Film and Television Workers Most at Risk of Hardship as a Result of Covid-19, the Charity identified the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on “those who may already face barriers to staying in the industry, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic workers, women, those living outside of London, and people with a disability.”

Alex Pumfrey, CEO of the Film and TV Charity said: “We know that diverse talent – including women, those who are Black Asian or minority ethnic, and those who are disabled – are now being disproportionately impacted by the crisis due to a range of factors. So we have a real concern that without urgent support we will lose these people from our industry.” The scheme will provide applicants with targeted support for a period of up to £4,500 for up to six months, with a view to preventing the entrenchment of inequality in the industry.

Find out more about the scheme and how to apply here. The deadline for applications is 12 October.