So What Heritage
Telling new stories about museum collections through video and digital art
So What Heritage is a two-year collaboration between Beacon Films and Great North Museum, Hancock, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
We are seeking creative disabled and neurodivergent people to take part in our project to explore museum collections through film.
In these workshops, we will help you make short films and video art using both mobile devices and professional equipment.
Your films will be inspired by objects you find at the Great North Museum. This is a chance to give new life to old things and share your unique view on heritage.
The videos you make will be shown inside the museum and on social media. This will help more people see and understand heritage from a different perspective.
If you are interested to take part, please email Michelle at getinvolved@beaconfilms.org.uk
BFI Film Academy
Our entry level programme for 16-25 year olds to discover their filmmaking talents
Calling Young Filmmakers!
Do you love watching or making films?
Will you be 16-19 years old by October 2026 or 20-25years old with an EHCP?
Would you like to shoot and star in your own film?
We are currently waiting to hear if the BFI Film Academy Short Course, delivered by Beacon Films, will be funded.
If it is we will start in October 2026!
If you would like to be kept updated, please register your interest by emailing filmacademy@beaconfilms.org.uk
Travel and Access bursaries will be available
Please note:if you have taken part in The BFI Film Academy before, you are not eligible to apply to take part.
Watch previous Film Academy productions here!
Focus First
An opportunity to experiment and collaborate creatively with film
Focus First (formerly Viewfinder) offers a supportive environment for Disabled and Neurodivergent filmmakers to experiment, connect, and collaborate.
“Beacon films has given me the confidence, experience and social skills to work with other organisations.”
“It’s made me more confident with things like solving a problem myself before i ask someone. It helps me with creativity and developing ideas”
Viewfinder - Behind the Scenes (2023)
Focus Forward
Supporting disabled and neurodivergent creatives to take the next steps in their screen career
Focus Forward supports Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent (‘DDN’) creatives with their ambitions in film, TV or video production
Whether you're just starting out, need help staying on track, or want to develop your career, we're here to support you.
Fous Forward includes FREE:
Monthly online information events for DDN screen creatives based anywhere in the UK.
Goals Mentoring offer to help you progress you film, TV or video production ambitions (currently NE England only)
Private LinkedIn group for creatives and commissioners to connect
A resource centre of recordings and resources from all our events so far
What would you like to do?
Next event
Find out about our free goals mentoring for DDN screen creatives!
Thursday 16th July 2026
12pm - 1pm
On Zoom
Previous Events include:
Routes into Screen: the career journeys of director: Owen Tooth, writer: Amanda Graham, chaired by director of Inclusivity Films: Sarah Leigh.
An introduction to self-employment (delivered by disabled-led enterprise charity: SAMEE)
How to tell a client about your access requirements (delivered by artist and access consultant: Ellie Page)
How can Access to Work pay for my access requirements (delivered by independent consultants: Team Sunflower)
How to get represented (delivered by director of Inclusivity Films: Sarah Leigh)
Apply for screen goals mentoring
Beacon Films is offering mentoring for Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent creatives who have ambitions in film, TV or video production.
Some examples of goals the Goals Mentor can help you achieve include:
Giving you feedback on your CV or a website.
Helping you prepare for a job interview or a film pitch.
Helping you connect with other people and organisations in the film, TV and video production sector.
Because of where our funding is coming from, the Goals Mentor cannot help you with goals linked to film screenwriting, acting or exhibition
In order to ensure the fairest process possible, mentees will be asked about access requirements after they have been selected.
We frequently hold information events about our Goals Mentoring offer. Click here to see if there are any coming up!
Event Access
When you book your tickets, you will be asked about any access requirements you have.
BSL interpretation is available.
Auto-captions are provided for all sessions.
You are welcome to join the meeting hosts in person (hybrid) at their Newcastle office.
If you'd like to be joined by a supporter / PA, they'd be welcome. There is no need to book a second ticket. Just forward them the Zoom link when it arrives.
For any other access-related questions, please contact Sarah Jenkins (sarah@beaconfilms.org.uk)
Interested to find out more? Contact Sarah Jenkins on sarah@beaconfilms.org.uk or call the office on 0191 580 7000
Work Placements
We support our more experienced members into screen employment and self-employment. Between April 2022 and April 2024 we supported over 1000 hours of paid filmmaker contracts. We are proud to be members of BASE: the British Association for Supported Employment.
“I feel more confident about doing work for other organisations as the skills I have learned will allow my work to be of the best quality I can offer.”
Mobile Video Workshops
Our mobile video workshops support people from all types of professions to become more confident in using their phones and tablets to make short videos.
We are finding that people are keen to learn how to make content for social media, evaluation purposes or to engage a group through a creative process.
Currently we are able to offer FREE spaces on these workshops for people who live in Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside. Get in touch to find out more.
95% of participants rated the extent to which they would use the skills developed in the workshops in their employment at 4/5 or 5/5
“Great workshop. Really clear and engaging. Enjoyed different parts presented by different people. Definitely started to build my confidence in creating film content and looking forward to trying it out! thanks!”
Supported by
Inclusive Lens
For screen content commissioners who want to improve inclusion for disabled talent
Inclusive Lens is for creative and cultural organisations who want to improve inclusion for Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent talent in film, TV or video production.
Quick Links
Next event
Find out about our free goals mentoring for DDN screen creatives!
NOTE: this is a Focus Forward event, aimed mainly at DDN screen creatives. However you may also be interested to join if you are currently supporting DDN screen creatives.
Thursday July 16th 2026
12pm - 1pm
On Zoom
About Inclusive Lens:
Inclusive Lens, supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, is dedicated to developing a more inclusive cultural workforce.
Whilst our focus is on ...
The film, TV and video production sector
Freelance talent
... the sessions are designed to provide a mutual and non-judgemental learning environment for individuals from across the screen and cultural sectors.
Why?
Because we believe that access and inclusion are transferable concepts across sectors
Because we think that different sectors can learn a lot from one another
Because we recognise that organisations that commission screen content include museums, universities, theatres and public sector bodies, as much as they include film companies and broadcasters.
Inclusive Lens aims to:
Support commissioners in creating accessible and inclusive workplaces for Deaf, Disabled, and Neurodivergent (DDN) talent, ultimately enhancing workforce well-being for everyone.
Facilitate shared learning on continuously improving the inclusion of DDN talent within our workforces.
Connect commissioners with talented DDN filmmakers for paid opportunities, promoting practical implementation of inclusive practices.
How Inclusive Lens works:
Online sessions are held every month, led by DDN professionals wherever possible, and feature resources available in advance.
All sessions are recorded and included in our resource centre [COMING SOON!]
One-to-one mentoring for commissioning organisations who want to be part of positive change for DDN creatives is also available [COMING SOON!]
Event Access
When you book your tickets, you will be asked about any access requirements you have.
BSL interpretation is available.
Auto-captions are provided for all sessions.
You are welcome to join the meeting hosts in person (hybrid) at their Newcastle office.
If you'd like to be joined by a supporter / PA, they'd be welcome. There is no need to book a second ticket. In the access questions, you can input their email address and they will receive the same Zoom link.
For any other access-related questions, please contact Sarah Jenkins (sarah@beaconfilms.org.uk)
92% rated the usefulness of the sessions at 4/5 or 5/5
83% rated how motivated they felt to take part in another session at 4/5 or 5/5
“I wanted to say thanks again for the session last month, I shared the suggestions with the team and will be incorporating a lot of them in our networking and events moving forwards.”
“I have already booked a meeting with the person on our team organising the summer social to see how we can make it as accessible as possible!”
“Lots of work in the screen industry is transferable and the open and collaborative space created in the group has meant I have been able to ask questions and clarify my understanding. We have made a number of changes to our working practices as a result of different sessions and have plans for future changes.”
“The practice and knowledge shared in the Industry Inclusion Group sessions offer invaluable, actionable insights into how we can undertake essential anti-ableist work both in our organisation and with those we support. The sessions underscore the importance of collaboration across the cultural sector as we move towards more inclusive and equitable ways of working.”
“The session was a great chance to share ideas and think things through collaboratively based on real-world challenges we face in the workplace and across sectors.”