BBC Film has announced two separate schemes – the Associate Producer Programme and the Small Indie Fund – aimed at supporting producing talent and addressing under-representation in UK production. 
 

In the Associate Producer Programme, BBC Film will fund the placement of emerging producers on up to eight BBC Film productions per year, particularly those from under-represented groups. 

The programme, led by BBC Film head of production Emma Kayee, is open access and production companies must advertise the posts. BBC Film will also directly accept expressions of interest from those who wish to be considered for Associate Producer roles. 
 

Running alongside this is the BBC’s Small Indie Fund, which opens today, 3 October. Now in its third year, the £1m fund supports small independent production companies with turnovers of less than £10m across factual, daytime, drama, comedy, entertainment and children’s TV genres. 
 

Priority is given to diverse-led companies and those based in the Nations and English regions. Funding is based on the strength of the indies’ creative potential; the successful companies will receive tailored support packages to help their development along with commissioning mentors from the BBC. 
 

Director of BBC Film Eva Yates said: “Through discussions with the producing community, we identified a need for clearer and more inclusive routes of progression for the next generation of producers, so it’s exciting to now present this Associate Producer opportunity and hopefully welcome a broader range of producing talent into the industry. 
 

“We’re also really pleased to work alongside BBC commissioning colleagues to open the Small Indie Fund to film companies, offering vital business and creative development support. We recognise that challenges for independent producers are much greater than these measures alone can address, but we hope these initiatives speak to BBC Film’s ongoing recognition of the value and talent in the UK producing community.”
 

Films to have participated in the Associate Producer Programme to date include Rye Lane, In Camera, The Old Oak, Scrapper (pictured) and more.
 

Associate Producers Programme is now underway. It is open access and production companies who take up the opportunity must advertise for the role. Prospective candidates can also send their CVs to BBC Film (bbcfilmproduction@bbc.co.uk) to be held in an AP pool and names/CVs will be sent onto eligible producers/films.
 

For more information and details of how to apply for the Small Indie Fund, see the BBC Commissioning website. 
 

Scrapper image via DMC Film/BBC Film/BFI/Great Point Media/Charades/Sundance Film Festival.