Carers in the Screen Industry: Open Call for Mentees

Mentoring Carers and parents in the Screen Industry with Raising Films Ireland and the National Talent Academy for Film & TV

Raising Films Ireland (RFI) and the National Talent Academy Film & TV Drama (NTAFT) are curating a mentorship programme for Writers, Script Editors, Directors and/or Producers working in live-action drama, who are carers and parents, seeking a mentor.

The aim of the Mentorship Scheme is to support carers and parents, with career and professional development, and one-to-one support. We recognise the need to maintain the vital resources our carers and parents provide in their professional lives to the creative industries. We want to create further opportunities for them to maintain, sustain and return to their careers, alongside their caring responsibilities. By making mentors available who have paved the way with their own careers, our aim is to make the screen industry more inclusive and accessible for carers and parents.

Mentor and Mentee will be selected and matched by the RFI and the NTAFT. Mentees from all career levels, both new and established, will be welcome to apply. This includes talent who are job sharing or returning to work after a career break.

Dates/Duration: Approx. June- December 2024. Set hours (Approx 10 hours) and times and format (in person or online) will be at the discretion of the mentor/mentee team.

Meet the seven Mentors: (more information at the end of this page)

Anna Mannion is a producer and single parent to a tween autistic boy. Anna is offering to mentor creatives who either wish to start in the industry as a second career or are planning to re-enter the industry after a career break.
Claire Dix is a director of fiction and documentary and a parent of two. Claire is offering to mentor creatives re-entering the industry after a break, but is happy to mentor anyone who feels that her work and life experience would help them.
Christine Molloy is a filmmaker (writer, director, editor), and is offering to mentor filmmakers who are juggling the demands of film work with family commitments.
Elaine Walsh is a television and film Story Editor and Script Editor and parent to a 14 month old baby girl. Elaine is offering to mentor creatives re-entering the industry after career/caring break, or who are parents trying to navigate the industry as a parent with little to no support.
Laura McNicholas is a film and TV producer and runs 925 Productions in Dublin. 925 is in post production on their feature film Spilt Milk (Screen Ireland/CnaM & RTE) and has several projects in active development along with financing on the TV dramas The Liberties and Honestly, and the feature The Mount. Laura is co-parenting a nearly seven year old and cared for her father when he had MND, and so has experience building a producing career in tandem with personal caring responsibilities.
Patricia Kelly is a film and TV writer and director, the owner of an emerging production company and parent to two teenagers. She would like to offer mentor support to creatives trying to break into the industry.
Sarah-Jane Kearns is an animation Producer, and mother of one. Her son is almost three and rocks an extra chromosome of awesomeness (has Down Syndrome). Sarah-Jane would like to offer mentoring to parents and carers looking to re-enter the creative industry, and help them to navigate the difficulties and stress of balancing working, and caring when they return to work.

Who Can Apply:

We are now taking Mentee applications from Writers, Script Editors, Directors and/or Producers who are carers and/or parents. Mentees from any career levels and backgrounds are welcome to apply.

How To Apply:

Applicants must apply by completing the linked form link HERE

In this form you will be asked to pick a mentor.

Additionally you will need to supply a download (Google Drive or Dropbox preferred) link with the follow materials:

Media CV – detailing relevant experience.
A personal statement (including your background as a carer and/or parent) detailing how this mentorship will support your career development. (Up to 2 pages or a filmed statement of up to 3 minutes.)

An incomplete application will not be taken into consideration.

Deadline to apply: Friday May 31st at 12PM Noon

How The Mentorship Will Work:

Completed and suitable applications will be shared with requested mentors. Mentors will choose a short list.

Mentors and mentees will then be matched by the mentor, RFI and NTAFT.

Under the guidance of the NTA Film & TV and Raising Films, objectives, goals and expectation of the mentorship will be set. From here, the mentor and mentee will coordinate ten-hours at their convenience (online and in person).

Further Information

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

Raising Films Ireland is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to challenge, at a structural level, the demands that the film and television industry makes on parents and carers. The organisation aims to provide information, education and solutions with a focus on:

Encouraging industry-wide adoption of flexible working and access to child and/or elder care.
Formalising a way to combat discrimination.
Normalising conversations around caring commitments with employers.

Find out more about Raising Films Ireland on their WEBSITE.

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