Seven women picked for WFTV Scheme

The seven Northern Ireland women who have been selected for the Women in Film and TV (WFTV) pioneering new mentoring scheme for Northern Ireland, sponsored by Netflix, were announced at The Mac, Belfast.
By Claire Cartmill
Published 16th Mar 2020, 15:59 BST
Pictured at the launch of the WFTV NI inaugural mentoring scheme, sponsored by Netflix are mentees (l to r, back row) Milène Fegan, Dee Harvey, Karen Donnelly and Niamh Minihan with (front row) Margaret McGoldrick, Sarah McCaffrey, WFTV NI Mentoring Scheme Producer and Grace SweeneyPictured at the launch of the WFTV NI inaugural mentoring scheme, sponsored by Netflix are mentees (l to r, back row) Milène Fegan, Dee Harvey, Karen Donnelly and Niamh Minihan with (front row) Margaret McGoldrick, Sarah McCaffrey, WFTV NI Mentoring Scheme Producer and Grace Sweeney
Pictured at the launch of the WFTV NI inaugural mentoring scheme, sponsored by Netflix are mentees (l to r, back row) Milène Fegan, Dee Harvey, Karen Donnelly and Niamh Minihan with (front row) Margaret McGoldrick, Sarah McCaffrey, WFTV NI Mentoring Scheme Producer and Grace Sweeney

The chosen mentees in this year’s scheme are: Niamh Minihan, producer, Alleycats; Karen Donnelly, freelance producer; Milène Fegan, director and producer, Waddell Media; Margaret McGolderick, director and producer, Causeway Pictures; Órfhlaith Ní Chearnaigh, producer, director and writer, Doubleband Films; Grace Sweeney, freelance producer and director and Dee Harvey, freelance writer and VR creator. They will be mentored by film and TV industry creative leaders including Netflix’s Director of Original Documentary Kate Townsend; Derry Girls creator and writer Lisa McGee; renowned Game of Thrones producer Mark Huffam; Waddell Media’s MD Jannine Waddell; Channel 4’s Head of Factual Danny Horan; BBC 3 Controller Fiona Campbell and film distributor; and marketing consultant Julia Short.

This new innovative mentoring scheme is designed to help local women working in TV and film to take the next crucial step in their career.

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Kate Townsend, Netflix, said: “I am delighted that Netflix is sponsoring this inaugural scheme which will help to develop the skills and talent of Northern Irish women working in the creative industry sector.”

Liz Tucker, Chair of WFTV UK said: “We are incredibly grateful to Netflix for their support which has made it possible for us to run this innovative scheme. The training and mentoring provided by WFTV has proved to be industry leading. We’ve achieved tremendous results over the years with our London based scheme and are really looking forward to assisting these talented Northern Ireland women reach the next level in their career.”

Sarah McCaffrey, Mentoring Scheme Producer, WFTV NI said: “We are delighted that WFTV has chosen to launch their first mentoring scheme outside of London in Northern Ireland - recognising the huge success of our women working in the film and TV industry here. It was a tough task selecting just seven mentees and we hope to be in a position to offer more places in the coming years.”

Related topics:NetflixNorthern IrelandBelfast