The Future is Collective is a Watershed programme of work propelling community and climate activism by offering support and development to freelance creatives. You can read more about the project here.

As part of this programme Watershed has been able to recruit eleven talented freelancers and we are delighted to announce the full cohort. 

This cohort will receive a bespoke package of professional development support, whilst their work on the programme simultaneously supports climate and community activism in the wider sector.  Resident Editors and young Content Creators will be supported through Rife. An Associate Producer and Audience Development Associates will receive support and work with the Pervasive Media Studio and BFI Film Hub South West communities. The programme will also include a series of events that aim to upskill, energise and connect the South West creative sector.   

 

Resident Editors 

  • Mercedes White 
  • Kaja Brown 
  • Malaika Kegode 
  • Jazz Thompson 

You can read more about the Editors on the Rife Magazine website here.  

 

Content Creators 

  • Jessica Kerubino 
  • Sophie Oriogun-Williams 
  • Grace Ball 
  • Kieran Walker 

Keep an eye out on the Rife Magazine website for content from these talented creators and click here for more information on who they are.  

 

Associate Producer 

  • Chi Thai 

Chi Thai will be providing support and mentoring on Producing to freelancers.  

Chi Thai is an independent filmmaker & producer who works across features, documentary, animation & immersive. She has been a Cannes Lions finalist three times & her work has screened at BAFTA & Academy accredited festivals. She is an invited BAFTA voting member and Screen International Screen Star of Tomorrow.  She is the founder of the BFI Vision awarded production company, Last Conker whose ambition is to tell stories that make our world greener and fairer. She is currently producing BIFA nominatedwriter-director, Paris Zarcilla’s debut feature, Raging Grace for AMC Networks. Read more about Chi here.

 

Audience Development Associates 

  • Roy Kareem 
  • Anders Morris Knight 

Anders and Roy will be providing support and mentoring on Audience Development to freelancers.  

Roy is currently the Director of Bright Green Future, an environmental leadership programme for 16-19 year olds based at the Centre for Sustainable Energy in Bristol, that aims to greatly diversify those choosing professions that make a positive environmental impact. He is an alumni of the Black and Green Ambassadors for Bristol programme, the creator of the Parklives podcast series and is currently one of the hosts of Rise Up breakfast show on Ujima FM, a community radio station for Bristol. Read more about Roy here.

Anders  has supported a range of creative individuals, festivals and organisations including work in film, performance, music and comedy over the last 15 years. He is an accredited coach and has experience in delivering training and mentoring on Audience Development, Finding Your Voice Online and DIY Music Marketing. The latter comes from his years of experience as a music and arts events promoter and work running an independent record label. More recently Anders' focus as a freelance consultant has been on projects aiming to increase access, inclusion and representation across the cultural sector. Read more about Anders here. 

 

The Future is Collective will run until August 2022. Follow Watershed on Twitter for news and ongoing opportunities.  

If you would like any more information about The Future is Collective, please get in touch with Watershed Network Producer, Danielle Rose at danielle.r@watershed.co.uk

The Future is Collective is made possible thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.