Move On Up event

BECTU has organised the Move On Up event for film and television ethnic minorities.

The film and television industry has teamed up with BECTU to create this new opportunity for ethnic minority professionals.

Sponsored by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the TUC and Skillset, BECTU hopes the event on Monday 10 November 2003 will allow minority ethnic film and TV workers to make the contacts that could help to gain further, or better, employment or have their work commissioned.

The event was developed by BECTU and is titled Move On Up. It will feature several hundred one-to-one meetings between ethnic minority professionals working in film and television, and key decision makers from all the terrestrial channels plus the UK Film Council and big independent production companies who are members of the independent producers' association, PACT.

The key decision makers will be some of those responsible for deciding who to hire for permanent or freelance employment; or for decisions to commission TV programmes or lottery-funded films.

Lord Andrew McIntosh, Minister for Media and Heritage, commented: "Television and film play an essential role in the cultural and economic life of Britain. It is crucial that they are representative of the nation's rich cultural and ethnic mix and it is vital that people feel the door to the industry is open to them, regardless of background. That is why we are delighted to support this event, which we hope will encourage people to pursue a career in television and film."

The Black Members' Subcommittee of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of BECTU put forward the proposal 18 months ago after seeing more disappointing employment figures for ethnic minorities in film and television.

Fred Campbell, Chair of the Committee, said: "We were faced with a choice: we could stand on the sidelines criticising, or we could attempt to do something positive in partnership with the industry to try to make a difference."

BECTU General Secretary Roger Bolton is delighted at the support BECTU has won from the industry. "We have the backing of the BBC, Granada, Carlton, Channel 4, Channel 5, the UK Film Council, the independent producers association PACT, and Path�. We are also grateful to the Labour government and the Department of Culture, Media & Sport for the enthusiasm - and sponsorship - with which it has greeted our event."

BBC Director-General Greg Dyke stated: "The BBC is delighted to be actively involved in this initiative, working in partnership with other broadcasters and BECTU as part of our efforts to ensure that the BBC's workforce and output reflects the audience we serve."

Mary Fitzpatrick, Channel 4 Editorial Manager Cultural Diversity, said: "Television must reflect the UK's diverse cultural identity, both on and off screen. We welcome this BECTU initiative to encourage culturally diverse talent to enter and progress in the production sector."

BECTU also has the support of the Commission for Racial Equality, the TUC and the Cultural Diversity Network. The TUC has very generously donated the use of extensive facilities in Congress House in central London for the event.

Skillset, the industry training organisation, is another supporter and skillsformedia, the organisation jointly managed by BECTU and Skillset, is planning to offer participants a preparation day prior to the event.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "Thanks to this forward-thinking BECTU initiative, minority ethnic film and TV professionals are to be given a massive helping hand into the industry. For many years unions have been campaigning to give black and Asian workers greater access to the kind of opportunities many white employees take for granted. The TUC wishes this autumn event every success."

For more details download the Move On Up information pack [174k pdf] along with the information pack update [45k pdf].

In connection with the registration form contained in the above information pack download Script Registration Service form A [37k pdf], Script Registration Service form B [35k pdf], along with a Q&A on the BECTU Script Registration Service [53k pdf].