WITH the UK film production industry comprising mainly young, white men, a ‘resource toolkit’ comprising best employment practice, and associated legal information, has been launched by the UK Film Council.
The move is in response disparities discovered by the organisation, such as a third of the film production sector comprising women, even though almost half (46 per cent) of the general UK workforce are women.
The service is available online and, says the UK Film Council, “contains information, suggestions, top tips and sources of advice on diversity and equality issues. It covers everything from the Disability Discrimination Act – including what cinemas can do to improve access for the disabled – to top tips on recruitment and selection. It also includes good practice case studies and explains how the industry is promoting a more inclusive approach across the film sector”.
Only five per cent of the UK’s film production workforce is from a minority ethnic group. Yet, in London, where film production is heavily concentrated, minority ethnic communities make up 24 per cent of the general workforce.
Some 79 per cent of people working in film production are aged 49 or under. Just 13 per cent of women involved in film production are aged 50 or over.
Only two per cent of the production workforce is disabled, compared with 13 per cent of the general workforce.
