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.
Focus 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
Focus Forward is a companion project to Inclusive Lens, which supports organisations that commission screen content to be more inclusive places for disabled screen creatives
What would you like to do?
Next event
Our next event will take place in late September 2026
Watch this space, or sign up to our mailing list to be the first to find out
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 (unless alongside other screen roles), acting or exhibition
Mentees will be asked about access requirements after they have been selected.
Application Support
If, for access reasons, you require support to complete the application, we hold bookable drop in sessions to support this.
We also run regular information events about goals mentoring
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)
