Film London’s Equal Access Network (EAN) has announced the selected participants for the 2023 Breaking the Glass Ceiling programme, which launched this month in association with Bectu and with support from the Mayor of London. 

Breaking the Glass Ceiling (BTGC) will benefit twelve ethnically diverse mid-level professionals, who are committed to developing an inclusive leadership style. The scheme is led by programme founder and executive coach Jill Tandy and Rebecca Baker, head of Film London’s Equal Access Network. 

As well as being matched with their own leading industry mentor, each participant will also be paired with a new entrant mentee from Film London’s Equal Access Network; there is a swathe of industry experts also on board. The programme is supported by Working Title, Lee & Thompson, BBC Film and ITV. 

The twelve selected participants for Breaking the Glass Ceiling are:

• Nathan Adabadze (senior investment manager, Media Finance Capital)
• Maja Bodenstein (screenwriter)
• Vicki Brown (acquisitions, sales and distribution; co-founder of MilkTea Films)
• Jaya Campbell (director of development & production, Searchlight Pictures)
• Helen Gladders (producer, Gingerbread Pictures)
• Tejinder Jouhal (director of marketing & distribution, HanWay Films)
• Gannesh Rajah (producer & account director)
• Tolu Stedford (CEO at Story Compound)
• Jenny Takahashi Stark (screenwriter)
• Isaac Tomiczek (writer/director)
• Camilla Wren (producer, Frolic Films)
• Georgie Yukiko Donovan (producer/director)

Khurrum M. Sultan, director and previous Breaking the Glass Ceiling participant, said: “Navigating this industry can often be hard and lonely. During Breaking the Glass Ceiling I found likeminded people who shared similar experiences and for the first time I opened up. I have made lifelong friends, and been given much needed confidence. Anything is accomplishable and am excited about what the future holds.”

Adrian Wootton, CEO of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “I’m thrilled to announce this year’s Film London Breaking the Glass Ceiling cohort, who have been selected from such a high calibre of talent. 

“Previous participants have gone on to win awards from BIFA, BAFTA and BFI, and secure new positions including Head of Development roles. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this year’s participants. The cyclical nature of Breaking the Glass Ceiling both creates and sustains a long-term, positive effect on the industry, investing in the potential of future senior leaders of a dynamic and diverse creative workforce.”

Tandy added: “I particularly love the vibe at our Breaking the Glass Ceiling Leadership sessions. There is always a huge warm energy in the room, a great deal of curiosity and an openness to produce a different and inclusive way of doing things. Our participants will certainly go far and lead change.”