EXCLUSIVE: Yemi Adegbulu and Sorcha Bacon are among 12 UK producers with 10 projects selected for the inaugural The First Feature – Producer Lab.
The BFI-backed lab will run for three months from March to June 2026, and is aimed at developing the producing skills of its participants, and taking their projects from the final stage of active development to greenlight.
It is run by UK training provider Mission Accomplished, in partnership with Michelle Stein and Jennifer Monks’ production company The Fold, which is based in North West England.
The programme will include 12 hours of virtual sessions, three days of in-person sessions and three hours of 1-to-1 support per project, plus flexible mentoring. It will conclude with an in-person event, where the first-time feature producers will be able to meet industry figures including financiers and sales agents.
British Nigerian producer Adegbulu has associate producer credits on Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor’s Dreamers, and Jonathan Schey’s upcoming Everybody Wants To Fck Me* starring Taron Egerton.
Bacon produced shorts including 2017’s Wren Boys by Pillion director Harry Lighton; and was named a *Screen *Star of Tomorrow in 2021.
“For emerging Producers this is likely the trickiest part of producing and is obviously make or break as to whether a film is made,” said Stein, herself a Star of Tomorrow from 2009.
“Michelle and I have learned this the hard way and we want to demystify the process and ensure emerging producers have the knowledge they need to achieve the first of many greenlights,” added Monks.
“The Fold team bring vital lived experience of the barriers producers face - especially when regionally-based - and alongside Mission Accomplished, they’ve brought together an exciting and diverse cohort ready to take that next step,” said BFI Filmmaking Fund director Mia Bays.
Sorcha Bacon, Try Hard Film – The Raptures
Bea Ralston, Bee Sting Films; Guy Lindley, Lind Films – Daffodils
Angela Gourley, Amber Eye Films; Hugh Mann Adamson, ENON Films – Bowling For Bradford
Robin Davies, Stovetop Films – The Reunion
John Askew, Out of the Common – Gypsy Queen
Yemi Adegbulu, Sleepwalker Studios – All Must Burn at Smugglers Lane
Carley Armstrong, True Moon Pictures – Little Bird
Jessica Palmarozza, Flumeri Films – Florri
Yasmin Rais, Dogmother Films – Dead Dad(s)
Tuli Litvak, Fidge Films – Eternal Valley
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Source: screendaily.com