Black & Irish & NTA Film & TV Mentorship Programme: Open Call for Mentees (2026)

Black & Irish & NTA Film & TV Mentorship Programme: Open Call for Mentees 2026

Following the success of year one, Black and Irish (B&I), BNI Media, and the National Talent Academy for Film and TV Drama (NTAFT) are launching year two of the mentorship programme for emerging writers, script editors, directors, and producers.

Black & Irish is dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating the lives of Black and Mixed-Race Irish people. Its mission is to advocate for the Black community in Ireland, build connections between Black communities and wider Irish society, and educate everyone in Ireland to adopt an anti-racist mindset.

About the Mentorship Programme

This mentorship scheme supports Black, mixed-race and people of colour, along with individuals from multicultural backgrounds, and those who have been forcibly displaced, who are living in Ireland and aged 21 and over. Through one-to-one mentoring, the scheme helps participants develop their careers and build pathways within the film and television industry.

We are now open for applications from new and emerging writers, script editors, directors, and producers engaged in live-action-drama film and TV.

Whether you are just starting out or building your career, this scheme is open to you. No prior experience is necessary.

Deadline to extended to May 6th at 5PM

Dates/Duration:

Approx. June – November 2026. Set hours (Approx 10 hours) and times and format (in person or online) will be at the discretion of the mentor/mentee team.

How To Apply:

Applicants must be over the age of 21 and living in Ireland (full time).

This scheme is aimed at entry-level, new and emerging talent. While engagement in the sector is expected, no previous experience or credits are required to apply.

Applicants must apply by completing the linked form HERE

In this form, you will be asked to select your top three preferred mentors for pairing.

Additionally, you must provide a download link (Google Drive or Dropbox preferred) to a single document containing the following materials:

Media CV or professional biography, outlining your relevant experience or training
A personal statement explaining how this mentorship will support your career development, what you hope to gain from the experience, and why you have selected your preferred mentors
The personal statement should be no more than two pages in length, or you may submit a filmed statement of up to three minutes.
It is recommended that your personal statement is not addressed to a specific mentor. However, if you choose to tailor separate statements to your top three mentor choices, you may submit individual documents. In this case, please ensure each document is clearly labelled with the relevant mentor’s name.

An incomplete application/forms will not be taken into consideration.

Deadline to extended to May 6th at 5PM

Meet the mentors and learn about the type of mentorship each is offering:

More information on each mentor can be found at the end of this page.

Adeola Lawal (Director)

As a Mentor, I’d like to give one on one feedback and advice on films in progress. From scripts to design, I'd love to help. I have 9 years of experience within the Animation Industry, working in different departments. Delivered high-quality work for many projects through those years and would be delighted to pass on that knowledge.

Aisha Bolaji (Screenwriter, Director, & Film Curator)

As a mentor, I want to support emerging Black and POC creatives in building confidence, finding their voice, and navigating the early stages of a screenwriting or directing journey. My approach is collaborative, gentle, and practical with focus on story development, creative process, personal brand and sustaining yourself emotionally and financially as an artist. I want to provide practical advice on applying for funding, pitching and networking, as well as addressing the nuances of navigating the industry as an artist that is underrepresented in the film industry. I can also provide insight into navigating the film festival world with perspective from a filmmaker as well as programmer point of view.

Aisha Tyler (Director, Writer & Producer)

I specialise in independent filmmaking. My path to directing came through on-set shadowing and interactive mentorship, and I strongly believe in the value of practical guidance and hands-on training. As a writer, director, and producer, I draw on all three disciplines to develop, produce, and deliver projects of varying scale. I am passionate about supporting mentees in building integrated skillsets, with a focus on how cross-disciplinary experience can empower artists to become more effective and autonomous in their creative practice.

Chinedum Muotto (Director & Creative Producer)

The screen industry is evolving rapidly, and I believe creatives must combine storytelling with technological and entrepreneurial skills to thrive. My mentorship model, The Sovereign Creative, is built on three key pillars. First, Creative Upskilling focuses on the ethical integration of AI, AR, and VFX into storytelling, prototyping, and pitching. Second, Business & Entrepreneurship equips mentees with practical tools in self-marketing, intellectual property, and building a sustainable career. Third, Global Networking supports mentees in developing strategies to access international markets while maintaining cultural identity and balance. Through strategic feedback, technical insight, and business guidance, I aim to empower creatives to transform their lived experiences into sustainable, globally relevant careers.

Derek Ugochukwu (Writer & Director)

As a mentor, I support filmmakers in developing a strong creative voice while navigating the practical realities of the industry. Drawing on my experience directing funded short films and shadowing on high-end television productions, I offer guidance across story development, directing craft, and funding pathways. I am particularly interested in working with filmmakers who are driven to create bold, character-led work and who are looking to build a clear and sustainable path forward in their careers.

Grace Odumosu (Producer & Executive Producer)

As a mentor, I support new and emerging producers by offering practical guidance across all stages of the production process. I help mentees build confidence, develop essential skills, and make informed decisions as they navigate their producing careers. My support includes helping producers find and apply for the right funding opportunities, offering insight into how to manage a production effectively while balancing creative and logistical demands, and guiding them through the post-production process to deliver a polished final product. I also provide advice on how to network and build meaningful industry connections, and how to identify and select the right stories—those that are both creatively compelling and viable for production.

Maria Odufuye (Story Producer)

I am committed to nurturing new talent and founded Script-Ed by Maria Odufuye, where I support writers and production companies through script development, and facilitate workshops, training the next generation of script editors. My mentorship focuses on developing confidence with a strong foundation in script editing and story development. Through tailored one-to-one sessions, I guide mentees in narrative structure, character development, and script analysis. Drawing on my experience across HETV and film, I provide insight into development processes while supporting mentees to build their voice, understand industry expectations, and navigate career pathways.

Naima Mohamud (Writer/Director)

Naima mentors emerging writers, directors and writer-directors working in film and television. Her focus is on story, character and script development, combined with practical insight into taking projects from concept to production.

Nell Hensey (Screenwriter, Director and Executive Producer )

I love working with young and emerging filmmakers. I have over three years’ experience teaching and supporting new talent across areas such as screenwriting, directing, creative producing, project financing, and navigating the film and television industry, both in Ireland and internationally. I have delivered mentorship and workshops through programmes with a range of organisations, including IFTA, the National Talent Academy, University College Dublin, The GALPAL Collective, Catalyst International Film Festival, Youth-Rec Ireland, Fresh Film Festival, and Emerging Limerick Filmmakers, among others.

Seán Gallen (Writer/Director)

I have been writing and developing my craft for over 15 years, and I’m passionate about supporting mentees in growing as writers. I can help with structure, character, plot, overcoming creative blocks, embracing genre, and shaping stories for a visual medium. I offer script reading, in-depth feedback sessions, and guidance on taking a project from initial idea through to script and pitch. I can also share practical insights into navigating the industry, including pitching, building a network, collaborating effectively, and managing contracts and financing. From a directing perspective, I can support mentees in working with actors and leading a larger crew, as well as guiding them through the process of bringing a project from page to screen.

Shannon Welby (Screenwriter)

I’m keen to mentor and support Black, Mixed-Race, and Global Majority writers who are new or emerging in the industry. My work spans film and television, particularly in comedy and drama. I can offer insight into developing as a writer, from early career short filmmaking through to writing full-length features and television. I’m also happy to share guidance on paid development opportunities, navigating common challenges, maintaining wellbeing as a writer, securing representation, honing craft, working in writers’ rooms, and what to expect when building a sustainable career in writing.

Zlata Filipović (Producer)

I have worked in the film industry since 2007 and have mentored many emerging producers through that time. I can help the mentees shape their proposals, prepare for pitches, work on budgets, and advise on production, post-production, and distribution of their works to audiences. I can advise mentees on developing the skills necessary to become a producer, archive producer or researcher starting out in documentary work. I have also produced over 15 art and dance films, giving me experience in this sector regarding funding, production, and navigating the film festival circuit.

How The Mentorship Will Work:

Under the guidance of the NTAFT, and BNI Media, goals and expectations of the mentorship will be set.

From here, the mentor and mentee will coordinate ten-hours at their convenience (online and in person).

Selection Process:

The applications will be assessed by a panel to include representatives of the NTAFT, BNI Media, Black & Irish, and mentors

This is an open application process. In some instances, however, the NTA Film & TV may work with industry stakeholders including the Guilds, Black & Irish and Screen Ireland to identify talent who are ready to progress and encourage them to apply.

Further Information:

About Black & Irish:

‘Empowering Black and Irish Communities for an Inclusive Ireland. Black and Irish was established with the mission of enhancing the life of Black and Irish people. We aim to work with strategic partners across various areas of society, especially in the areas of Advocacy, Community and Education. Our vision is to create a more equal and inclusive Ireland and improve the quality of life for black and mixed race people in Ireland. Find out more about Black & Irish

About BNI:

BNI Media is a new media network spin off from the Black and Irish organisation. Its purpose is to tell inspiring and creative stories from underrepresented communities and bring a new wave of Black and minority ethnic media to Europe and the world.

For any questions, please email eibh.collins@nationaltalentacademies.ie

The National Talent Academy Film and TV is an initiative of Screen Ireland managed by Ardán

The NTA Film & TV reserves the right to make amendments to this initiative subject to funding, production landscape and health and safety requirements at the time of deliver

Meet the Mentors

Adeola Lawal

Director

Adeola Lawal is a Nigerian-Irish storyboard artist and director from Tallaght, Dublin. He specialises in storyboarding and has worked with a range of Irish and international studios on major IPs, from Transformers to Critical Role’s Mighty Nein. He was nominated for Best Storyboarding at the Irish Animation Awards for his work on Doodle Girl. Adeola is currently working as a storyboard artist at Cartoon Saloon on their upcoming feature film.
Aisha Bolaj

Screenwriter, Director, and Film curator

Aisha Bolaji is a Dublin-based screenwriter, director, and film curator whose work blends surrealism, saturated visuals, and heartfelt storytelling. Drawing from ideas of mythology, community, and playful imagination, her films explore identity and emotion through a lens that’s both whimsical and rooted. As a writer-director their work has featured at the Galway Film Fleadh, Cork International Film Festival, Aesthetica and more. Aisha was most recently selected as screenwriter for the prestigious Element Pictures Storyhouse Labs. Her next short film 'Starlets' is Screen Ireland funded through the Focus Shorts scheme, additionally she is developing a short film for broadcast for TG4 with Samson Films and her first feature 'Ololufé' with Keeper Pictures is under Screen Ireland's development scheme Perspectives. Aisha is passionate about making bold, colourful cinema that feels alive.
Aisha Tyler

Director/Writer/Producer

Aisha Tyler is a writer, director and producer specializing in elevated character-driven genre storytelling across media. Her feature debut, AXIS, won “Outstanding Achievement in Feature Filmmaking” at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Her second feature, puzzlebox thriller I HOPE WE CAN STILL BE FRIENDS, premiered at the 2025 Galway Film Fleadh. Tyler’s television directing credits include The Walking Dead; Fear the Walking Dead; Roswell, New Mexico; Evil; Elsbeth; Criminal Minds: Evolution; and Yellowjackets.
Chinedum Muotto

Director and Creative Producer

Chinedum Muotto is a Nigerian-Irish interdisciplinary director and creative producer based in Berlin. Their work explores movement, memory, and identity through AI, immersive technologies, and Afro-diasporic narratives. Working across Dublin, Lagos, and Berlin has shaped them as both an artist and entrepreneur, informing their understanding of the realities faced by Black creatives in Ireland. Guided by the Sankofa Protocol, retrieving the past to move forward, Chinedum supports emerging Black, Mixed-Race, and multicultural creatives. Through mentorship, they help protect cultural voices while building sustainable, global careers, combining creative practice with strong business and industry awareness.
Derek Ugochukwu

Writer and Director

Derek Ugochukwu is a Nigerian-born, Dublin-based writer and director, named one of Ireland’s Rising Stars and listed in The Irish Times’ “50 People to Watch in 2025.” His work has screened at SXSW, Sitges, and Galway Film Fleadh, earning an IFTA nomination and multiple Discovery Awards. His recent short Nay Day premiered at Galway Film Fleadh, and he is currently developing a feature with Screen Ireland.
Grace Odumosu

Producer and Production Executive

Grace Odumosu is a producer and production executive working at Keeper Pictures. She produced a VM discovers short called THE KNIFE, a Focus short called MINDING, is in post production on a TG4 Ceim Eile called AN MHÁTHAIR and is the producer on Ololufé, one of the Perspectives films chosen for development. Being a person of color in this industry hasn't been easy, but moving into production was a natural step for her. In 2023 Grace Odumosu was chosen to be one of the participants on the Advance Producers Diploma course in TU Dublin.
Maria Odufuye

Maria Odufuye

Maria Odufuye is a Story Producer with over five years’ experience shaping stories across high-end television and film, working across both development and production. Her script editing credits includeSex Education S4, The Iris Affair, Playing Nice, A Town Called Malice S2, Your Christmas or Mine 2, and EastEnders.
Naima Mohamud

Writer/Director

Naima Mohamud is a Dublin-based writer-director and script editor. Her work focuses on character-driven stories for broad audiences. She has written and directed award-winning short films and television and recently completed her debut feature "Halima", an international co-production between Finland and Ireland. She is currently developing her second feature and a slate of television projects.
Nell Hensey

Screenwriter, Director and Executive Producer

Nell Hensey is an Irish-Filipina screenwriter, director and executive producer from County Clare. Her work has been supported by Screen Ireland, RTÉ, Virgin Media Television, The Arts Council of Ireland and more. She is also one of the co-founders of Pure Divilment Pictures. As a filmmaker, Nell is interested in drama that explore coming-of-age themes, outsider identities and female POV narratives. Her credits include Good Chips (2023) and Falling For The Life Of Alex Whelan (2023).
Seán Gallen

Seán is an Irish/Martinican writer, director, essayist and playwright — whose work has been featured in The Irish Times, at the Cannes Film festival as well as Smock Alley Theatre. He studied Film and Television and English Literature at the University of Glasgow before moving to Berlin in 2014 where he spent two years working on film sets, learning the trade. In 2015, he began writing, directing and producing his own short films, music videos, documentaries and web-series. In 2023, he won a place on the Virgin Media Discovers programme and wrote and directed ''The Head on Him'' which went on an international festival circuit, was nominated for WGI award, landed a distribution deal and is now available on Disney +. He is currently developing two feature film projects as well as a TV pilot project, funded by Screen Ireland development programmes. The last film he loved was Tsui Hark's ''Green Snake''.
Shannon Welby

Screenwriter

Shannon is a mixed-race Irish Nigerian screenwriter from the North West of Ireland. She has a slate of projects in development including an original comedy TV project with BBC and Hat Trick Productions (Derry Girls, Father Ted), a feature film with Screen Ireland & EZ Films, and a TV project with BlackThorn Films. Shannon has been part of the writer’s room for several high-end TV shows including Blue Lights and a new BBC sitcom. She is currently a member of BBC’s Comedy Collective 2025, working with Merman.
Zlata Filipović

Producer

Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zlata Filipovic is an EMMY and IFTA award winning producer of numerous feature and television documentaries as well as short films that have screened across the world gathering awards and acclaim. She is one half of Invisible Thread Films along with Anna Rodgers and has been working in the film industry since 2007. Most recently Zlata produced the IFTA nominated feature hybrid documentary 'How To Tell A Secret' which had a nationwide cinema release in Ireland, screened at over 30 festivals and was acquired by Netflix, Deutsche Welle and RTE. She is the recipient of Netflix Documentary Talent Fund 2023 and is currently producing 'The Last Balkan Cowboy', feature documentary that is a coproduction between Ireland and Croatia. She was Executive Producer on Storyland 2025 short film 'Grace' directed by Anna Rodgers.