reveal a production spend of £4.23 billion in the U.K., whilst five of the top ten highest grossing films at the U.K. box office were made on British soil. Culture secretary, Lucy Frazer,Yet film and high-end TV has been on a white-knuckle ride the past few years, with no end in sight.
Co-founders Nicole Lieberman and Liza van der Smissen met at a networking event at the BFI, and went on to produce a short film together, which debuted at London Short Film Festival, and won a slew of awards. “Because we met at a networking event, they’re fundamental to what we do. We’re the example of how they can change the trajectory of your life,” van der Smissen shares.
“The industry is changing at breakneck speed,” Lieberman adds, “so we believe there’s a new barrier.” They’ve identified a fear of evolving technologies as another factor pushing women away. Tech can advance so fast, that by the time someone has returned from maternity leave, they already feel out of their depth.
“Women are more likely to experience imposter syndrome, negative self-talk, feel disconnected after taking a maternity break, or simply feel isolated because they’re not living in London or Hollywood. The industry can feel very regional,” Lieberman explains. “We identify these problems, and curate programs to serve members on a deeper level. No woman should be giving up on her talent and accepting a mundane job just because she doesn’t have the right support.
Sporrer shares, “I appreciate getting advice from men as much as from women, but often it’s obvious their lived experience is different. Women can mentor each other in a more direct way.”