This week, as Patron of Production Guild of Great Britain, The Duke of Edinburgh met with last year’s award-winners of the Duke of Edinburgh Film & TV Inclusion Award, Million Youth Media, with the announcement of this year’s finalists also being made during his visit to The Farm in London.
During his visit to The Farm, a post-production specialist, Edward was also treated to a tour of The Farm’s sound, grading and editing facilities.
Duke of Edinburgh visits The Farm in London. (The Production Guild of Great Britain)
The Duke of Edinburgh Film & TV Inclusion Award was created in 2022 to recognise those in the UK film and high-end TV industry who have created ‘a successful way of inspiring local talent or skills, widening access or being more inclusive’.
The finalists in running for the third annual Duke of Edinburgh Film & TV Inclusion Award were:
– Denise Rose (Mouth That Roars) – established with the sole purpose of training young people in film production who wouldn’t ordinarily have access to media resources.
– Futures in Film CIC – provides the pathways between disconnected regions in the North West and the wider film and TV industry as well as for underrepresented groups, particularly individuals from disadvantaged and faith-based communities.
– Katie Player – has worked her way up in a non-inclusive and inaccessible Film & TV industry and has been a driving force when it comes to campaigning and implementing accessible workplaces & sets.
– Natalie Edward-Yesufuand – a dynamic filmmaker, producer, and creative leader whose work exemplifies a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the empowerment of storytellers.
– The Sara Putt Associates Trainee Scheme & Foundation – one of the leading UK independent agencies representing behind-the-camera production and technical talent. They have set up a trainee scheme and a foundation, led by Nicola Lees, aiming to support new and diverse talent.
Prince Edward received a tour of The Farm, a post-production specialist. (Production Guild of Great Britain)
The five were selected as finalists because their work involves championing, nurturing and inspiring inclusion within the industry, from recruiting crew and providing training to creating initiatives and practices which can be adopted by others.
The 2025 award will be announced during PGGB’s upcoming Talent Showcase, with the prize being presented by The Duke of Edinburgh at a live ceremony on 24th March 2025 at The InterContinental Hotel in London.
HRH heard about this year’s finalists. (Production Guild of Great Britain)
Shehroze Khan, Content Producer of Million Youth Media, said: ‘It was fantastic to present the work of Fully Focused Productions to the Duke of Edinburgh. Moments like this allow us the opportunity to showcase the tireless work going on behind the scenes all year long, to nurture and support young people and to increase their representation on screen. It’s so important to be able to share our unique perspectives, allowing the industry to truly reflect the world we live in.’
Speaking about the five nominees, Michael Beavan, Acting CEO of The Production Guild of Great Britain said: ‘I am both proud and delighted that this year so many new and inspiring individuals and organisations were nominated, all of whom deserve to be celebrated. In these five finalists, we see several diverse and passionate approaches working towards a similar goal – to make our industry a truly inclusive space in which to live and work.’
A group photo for Edward and those at The Farm. (Production Guild of Great Britain)
When Edward became Patron of The Production Guild of Great Britain, he visited Twickenham Film Studios in west London. He took the opportunity to meet production crew at the studios to hear more about their experiences of working in the industry, as well as the support given to them by The Production Guild of Great Britain.
Prince Edward has always taken an interest in the arts industry; before becoming a full-time working Royal in 2002, he worked in both theatre and television. He even ran his own television production company, Ardent Productions, which made films including ‘Edward on Edward’ for a number of years.
