Young Programmers Present: Can I Afford to Work in the industry?

Breaking into - and staying in - the screen industries can feel impossible if you’re from a working class background.Wages for entry level positions are often low, so many jobs encourage free or voluntary work, and many organisations expect interns and early career creatives to work outside of hours, unpaid.

This panel will provide guidance for emerging creatives battling the cost of living while trying to secure a career in the screen industries. How do you break in? How do you ensure you’re making a liveable wage?

What do you do if you aren’t?T his event will also provide direction for those who want to build a more equitable industry.

Speakers:

Jordon Scott Kennedy, writer, director and Creative Lead, The Unit

Sarah Leigh, writer, director and Founder, Inclusivity Films

Karla Williams, writer and Founder, MsMono

Hosted by Danny Leigh, writer and journalist

Curated by BFI Film Academy Young Programmers Elijah Smith-Ayton and Phoebe Yemi Ara.

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Once you’ve registered, you will have access to the Zoom link on this eventbrite page. The link will also be sent via email.

All festival online events are free! And can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

Please note: this session will be recorded and event footage will be used on YouTube, the BFI website and social platforms.

This event is part of the 2025 BFI Future Film Festival, the UK’s biggest festival for aspiring filmmakers aged 16 to 25. This year’s festival runs from Thursday 20 February to Thursday 6 March.

BFI Future Film Festival is presented by the BFI Film Academy team, who run events all year round to help young people break into the screen industries.

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