Routes into Screen - With Ahree Siegel
Wednesday 14th October 2026
12pm - 1pm
On Zoom (a link will be emailed to you after you book)
BSL interpretation
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Click here to download an Easy Read version of this information.
Format
This is a talk between Sarah Leigh of Inclusivity Films and Ahree Siegel
The topic is: "If you could rewind to when you first started out in film/TV, what advice would you give yourself?"
There will be a break in the middle
There will be opportunities to ask questions
You do not have to contribute to the session if you do not want to
People can ask questions anonymously in the Q&A section
People can also ask questions by using the raise hand button.
Event Access
There will be a BSL interpreter at this event.
Auto-captions are provided for all sessions.
You are welcome to join the meeting hosts in person (hybrid) at their Newcastle office. If so, please tell us below.
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 the meeting link to them.
The recording of the event will be available to view afterwards via our webpage: beaconfilms.org.uk/focusforward
Notes and transcript of the event will be circulated to all attendees afterwards.
For any other access-related questions, please contact Sarah Jenkins: sarah@beaconfilms.org.uk
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Ahree Siegel (she/her) is a Grierson-nominated Documentary Producer/Director.
Born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, her intersectional identities shape her storytelling. Her work has garnered critical acclaim, with screenings on platforms such as Netflix, PBS, and Channel 4, and she has been shortlisted for a Student BAFTA.
Ahree's projects include the Grierson-nominated and Oscar-qualified short documentary "Equal Play," which aired on Channel 4 in collaboration with ParalympicsGB, "My Partner Lives In My Phone," commissioned by Netflix and Hotdocs, and “The Space Between You & Me” broadcast nationally in the USA on PBS. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Audience Award at the Uninterrupted Film Festival powered by Tribeca in Los Angeles and Best Short Documentary at the Little Venice Film Festival in London.
Ahree holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design (USA) and a MA in Directing Documentary from the National Film and Television School (UK). She is currently living and working in London.
Sarah Leigh is a neurodivergent/disabled, working-class filmmaker and advocate. She is the founder of INCLUSIVITY FILMS - a company committed to at least 50% of cast and crew identifying as d/Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent on every production. She was one of the Writer-Directors selected for BERLINALE TALENTS 2026, and was a Women in Film & Television UK mentee for 2023. She is also the co-founder of INCLUSIVE TALENT, a talent agency for underrepresented actors.
Sarah's films and screenplays have been part of the Official Selections at OSCAR, BAFTA & BIFA-qualifying festivals. She won a ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY award in Directing for her debut short film, TYPICAL?, and was also nominated for the DIRECTORS UK / FILM THE HOUSE Best Film Direction award. She wrote & directed the adapted screenplay ONE FOR THE ROAD based upon a Stephen King short story. Sarah's screenplay, CALL IT OUT, was a finalist in the IMDb SCRIPT TO SCREEN competition 2024.
Sarah is a mother to two boys and her advocacy work includes developing Healthcare Passports with the NHS for children with complex health needs and disabilities, and campaigning for CHANGING PLACES toilets. She consults on access and equitable workplaces & practices within the screen industries, and is on the EDI Advisory Group of CREATIVE UK. She is also on the Advisory Group for Hire Survivors Hollywood, which aims to end career retaliation against survivors of sexual violence in the entertainment industry. She was an actor for 15 years, worked in TV news, and for the US State department under President Obama’s second administration.