Written by Kianna Best on Jul 12, 2023. Posted in General Interest

Film London announces Breaking the Glass Ceiling 2023 cohort

The 2023 Breaking the Glass Ceiling programme was announced today in association with Bectu and support form the Mayor of London. Film London’s Equal Access Network (EAN) led programme will be spearheaded by co-founder and executive coach Jill Tandy along with head of Film London’s EAN Rebecca Baker. The programme will provide a group of 12 diverse mid level participants with critical leadership skills through mentorship and first hand experiences.

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.”

Image courtesy of Film London

The Breaking the Glass Ceiling programme provides twelve ethnically diverse mid-level professionals with experience and expertise on how to hone their commitments towards developing and inclusive leadership style. Therefore, whilst the participants are refining their professional skills, they are also gaining knowledge on how to impart wisdom on upcoming professionals, contributing to the retention of entry to mid-level industry workers. During the programme, the participants will be paired with a mentor as well as a new entrant mentee from the EAN.

“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,” commented Adrian Wooton OBE, chief executive of Film London and the British Film Commission. “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.”

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 (Chief Executive Officer at Story Compound), Jenny Takahashi Stark (Screenwriter), Isaac Tomiczek (Writer/Director), Camilla Wren (Producer, Frolic Films), Georgie Yukiko Donovan (Produce/Director)

"I particularly love the vibe at our Breaking the Glass Ceiling Leadership sessions,” added Tandy. “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.”