The Earl of Wessex visits MAMA Youth at Sky Studios

The Earl of Wessex, Patron of The Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB) will bestow the first film and TV industry award created in his name on its inaugural winner next week, at PGGB’s first ever Talent Showcase.

Four industry organisations have been shortlisted for The Earl of Wessex Award, which was created last year to recognise those working in the UK film and TV industry who have created 'a successful way of inspiring local talent or skills, widening access or being more inclusive'. They are: youth-led production company Fully Focused; media charity MAMA Youth Project; social change enablers Resource Productions and mental health and wellbeing nonprofit 6ft From the Spotlight.

At a visit to shortlisted charity MAMA Youth Project today, The Earl of Wessex said: “Congratulations to all the organisations who have been nominated for this new Award. The finalists are shining examples of how the production industry is attracting more people from different backgrounds to pursue careers in the business. I really hope their stories will help inspire good practice across the industry and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.”

The Earl of Wessex will present the Award to its inaugural winner on Tuesday 24th January at the PGGB Talent Showcase taking place in Central London. The Showcase, which will be hosted by award-winning broadcaster, presenter and change maker Ayo Akinwolere, will celebrate the work of those shortlisted and will also feature a production-focused Career Pathways Panel. It will be attended by more than 250 film and TV industry figureheads, newcomers, students, educators and skills bodies.

The PGGB Earl of Wessex Award nominees:

Fully Focused

Fully Focused is an independent, youth-led production company and founders of the MYM (Million Youth Media) Academy and MYM YouTube platform (80m+ views). Since 2010, they have worked tirelessly to create an organisation that truly reflects the culturally rich, diverse communities they serve. For many young creatives, film school and expensive kit are out of reach; mainstream education doesn't cater to their learning style and they don't have connections to get a foot in the door. Fully Focused offers free training, mentoring and career support, access to kit and paid work opportunities, enabling young people to step into key roles and secure essential credits. 

MAMA Youth Project

A national charity which recruits, trains and nurtures young people aged between 18-25 from underrepresented groups. MAMA Youth equips people with the skills and experience necessary to secure long-term and fulfilling employment in the TV and media industry, with a focus on young people with limited educational or employment opportunities, including unemployed graduates. Since 2005, MAMA Youth has trained more than 610 young people, 96% of whom were in retained employment a year after training completed. 

Resource Productions

A non-profit organisation working to enable social change through film and tv whilst diversifying the creative industries. Based in Slough, the CIC focuses on three core activities; outreach & engagement, training and production. All involve successfully inspiring local skills and talent development, widening access to secure sector-based training and providing ways to ensure industry partners are more inclusive. Founded in 1999, Resource Productions has supported more than 10,000 adults and 40,000 young people over the past two decades. 

6ft from the Spotlight

6ft From the Spotlight was founded in 2017 by a committed group of crew along with several mental health specialists: consultant and trainer Matt Longley, psychologist Michelle White, mental health first aiders Leo Anna Thomas and Jude Spencer and accredited trainer Davey Shields. Concerned at the spiralling mental health issues within the production sector and increasingly pressured working conditions during the pandemic, the group set out to define a new Wellbeing Facilitator (WBF) role for the UK film and TV industry, which has now been adopted by productions and has directly supported more than 1,000 crew to date. 

The Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB)

Founded in 1999, PGGB is the UK’s leading membership organisation for those working in film and TV drama production. It represents experienced production professionals active in the fields of accounts, production, location management, assistant directing, VFX and post-production.

With 1,050 members and more than 150 company affiliates, it provides members with industry advice, employment opportunities, training, networking and seminars. Its availability service provides members’ availability for work to UK and international film and TV productions and HoD’s, detailing their credits, skills and production history. Delivering informed and expert knowledge on key production issues to members, government and as part of industry consultations, The Production Guild of Great Britain is the leading voice of the UK production industry.

The Earl of Wessex was named Royal Patron of The Production Guild of Great Britain in 2022.