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 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.
Quick Links
Next event
Find out about our free goals mentoring for DDN screen creatives!
Thursday 16th July 2026
12pm - 1pm
On Zoom
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.
How it works
Online Events
What: Monthly, one-hour online meetings with other creatives (usually the last Tuesday of each month).
Who: Unless specified, anyone who lives in the UK, and is working or wants to work in film, TV and/or video production.
Why: These sessions are a great way to learn new things, share ideas, and connect with other people in the industry. They're a relaxed way to get started and see what we're all about.
Topics: We cover practical topics like creating an Access Rider to communicate your needs to clients, different ways to plan your creative business, and how to get support from the Access to Work scheme
One-to-One mentoring
What: You can apply for more focused, one-on-one support.
Who: Anyone based in North East England who is working or wants to develop their ambitions in film, TV and/or video production.
Why: We'll work with you to set your personal career goals and create a plan to reach them. We'll help you develop contacts and find likeminded people.
Paid Commissions: As part of this, you may have the opportunity to be matched with a client for a paid film project.
Our new online community is coming soon
Where Focus Forward comes from
Focus Forward is built on years of experience and learning from our other successful projects. We know what works because we’ve been doing it. Our network is successful because we:
Listen to you: Our event topics are guided based on feedback from creatives like you
Provide real opportunities: We've helped our filmmakers get over 1,000 hours of paid work creating video content for clients from the NHS to the Northumbria University; from local authorities to an Emmy-award winning production company.
Give you the tools you need: Our past programmes have helped creatives launch new businesses and have provided guidance on things like inclusive networking.
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)
