Guiding Lights of UK film take on new mentoring role

Top names from the world of filmmaking are taking on a new mentoring role to help support the next generation of UK film talent.
Guiding Lights, launched by Skillset and Brighton based training provider Lighthouse, pairs established names, including writer Julian Fellowes and producer Michael Kuhn, with 26 of the hottest new talents in the UK for 12 months of mentoring, advice and support. The initiative is part of A Bigger Future, the UK film skills strategy, a joint project between Skillset and the UK Film Council funded by national lottery money and industry investment.
James Purnell MP, Minister for Film, said: “Mentoring is an excellent way to tap into the invaluable knowledge and skills of people with a vast working experience. And it's a rewarding way of sharing that experience and developing the people working alongside you. The film industry has embraced this idea through the Guiding Lights scheme and should be congratulated - as should Skillset and Lighthouse for creating and delivering this groundbreaking and innovative project.”
Judy Counihan, Director of Film at Skillset, said: “Over 12 months these new talents will learn from the best and most experienced practitioners working in the UK film industry today. It is an amazing opportunity for young professionals to further their careers and for the industry to help nurture the new talent needed for future success. Our film industry always seems to suffer from a cycle of peaks and troughs and Guiding Lights is just one of many initiatives Skillset and the industry is working on to help build stronger foundations for the next generation of filmmakers.”
(GB)