Mentoring Carers and Parents in the Screen Industry | Open Call for Mentees

Mentoring Carers and parents in the Screen Industry with NTA Film & TV and Raising Films Ireland

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. September - December 2025. 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 nine Mentors: (more information at the end of this page)

Anna Mannion is a producer and founder of Tri Moon Films and a single parent to a teen autistic son. Anna is offering mentorship to creatives either wanting to start in the industry as a second career or are planning to re-enter the industry after a career break.

Brendan Canty is a film director offering mentorship on all aspects of the filmmaking process. As a father of two young daughters, he’s also happy to share personal experience around juggling creative work and family life

Christina Nowak is a media and technology strategist with a background in film, television, and immersive media. She is offering to mentor creatives navigating career transitions, building sustainable creative businesses, or entering emerging fields such as virtual production and innovation strategy.

Deborah Doherty is Joint Managing Director and Executive Producer at Elephant Goldfish, Dublin’s newest VFX and post-production studio. Deborah is a parent to two small children and has cared for ill and ageing parents over the last number of years so understands the juggle. She is offering mentoring to anyone in the Post production and VFX industries re-entering after any kind of career change or break.

Gilly Fogg is a BAFTA winning director, head creative and one of the founding members of Lighthouse Studios in Kilkenny. A parent of three, Gilly is offering mentorship to creatives who are parenting autistic and neurodiverse teenagers.

Jennifer Davidson is an experienced screenwriter and creative producer and regular mentor. Jennifer offers bespoke mentorship to writers depending on their needs, whether it is project specific mentorship and development support, or more holistic advice on navigating the industry.

Patricia Kelly is a Dublin-based, award-winning writer/director/producer and founder of MnáMná Films and a mother to two teenagers, one of whom is neurodivergent. She fully understands the challenges of breaking into the industry and sustaining a creative career, while juggling caring responsibilities. She would love to mentor another writer, director or producer who is ready to strategise their next steps to make meaningful progress in the industry.

Sam Atwell is a Sligo based producer and screenwriter with Tri Moon Films and a foster parent to two wonderful boys. Sam is offering to mentor anyone entering the industry, returning to it or needing some guidance and reassurance that the path they have chosen and the work they are doing is pointing them in the right direction.

Sinead O’Brien is a film professional, mentor and mother who brings a wealth of practical experience, emotional insight and professional guidance to those she works with. She offers a personalised approach to mentorship that combines creative development with career strategy and personal well-being

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 your top three 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: August 27th 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 expectations 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 filmandtv@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