Black Women in Post Production is a networking and events platform for Black/Black Mixed heritage women and non-binary people working or aspiring to work in Film & TV post-production. 

We spoke with CEO and Founder Jasmin John about BWIPP’s mission, views on the future and their work empowering their membership to amplify their value in post-production. The young team has joined the recruitment game and aims to challenge its status quo.

Q. What inspired you to establish Black women in Post Production? What personal experiences led to the creation of the network?
After graduating from Ravensbourne University London with a First Class degree in Digital Film Production, I faced significant challenges when trying to break into the industry. I no longer lived in London (I had relocated to the Midlands during my final year of university!) and I didn’t have networks or nepotism to help me get into the industry either! However, the ScreenSkills Trainee Finder Scheme provided me with a foot in the door. During this time, I noticed a glaring absence of Black women in the cutting rooms. This led me to ask two questions: why is that and what can I do about it? So, BWIPP was born to increase access and opportunity for women like myself. Lacking a community of Black women to seek advice from or share experiences with whilst navigating a white-male-dominated industry, I founded BWIPP to provide that much-needed support network.

Q. As CEO of BWIPP, what is your vision for this network?
BWIPP aims to empower, inspire and nurture Black and Black Mixed heritage women to amplify their value in post-production. My vision for the network is to bridge the gap between Black female talent & opportunity and eradicate potential barriers to workforce diversity by facilitating the hiring of more Black/BlackMixed heritage women and non-binary creatives through our network and showcase their success to inspire the next generation.
My hope is that industry stakeholders including broadcasters, production companies and recruiters will actively engage with BWIPP by tapping into our network directly via our internal jobs board or via the BWIPP diary service and talent database. We rely on the support of allies and advocates to create lasting change in the industry. Championing diversity is a collective responsibility.

Q. Could you tell us a bit about your team, your members and how they embody the  values of BWIPP?
My team comprises of dedicated volunteers who approached me with a desire to help BWIPP succeed. They exemplify the core values of BWIPP through their commitment to diversity and their passion for post production.
We have a two-woman marketing team who focus on content and strategy. Aisha and Omasan run the BWIPP social media accounts and generate ideas for our social content and networking events. Marie is our Community Engagement Lead and she reaches out to organisations to forge connections with potential partners and sponsors. Ray and Laure are our Creative Leads - Ray designs our social media content for Instagram and Laure edits our video content (e.g. event highlights or snippets)

Q.  Being a leading voice in driving change in the industry can be tiring. Where do you get your drive?
My drive stems from a desire to see more women like myself in the industry. I didn’t consider a career in post production until my final year of university, making me wonder whether showcasing Film & TV post-production to younger generations earlier in their education might influence them to consider it a viable career path. BWIPP plans to address this through youth engagement and outreach programmes. When I began receiving invites to speak on panels, I embraced the challenge to step out of my comfort zone because I recognised the need for diverse voices to speak up - "If not me, who? If not now, when?"

Q. What are the next steps for BWIPP? What are the goals and aims of the network going forward?

Continue to build a supportive community where members feel valued in the industry and supported by the industry.

• Host regular networking events to connect diverse talent with industry professionals & expand networks/contacts. 

• Foster a culture of youth engagement in schools to inspire the next generation of Black female talent.

• Launch our mentoring, training and outreach programmes to bring new talent into the industry and pay it forward.

Q. As an organisation, we're interested in championing flexible work. Do you see flexible work playing a role in creating more inclusion in post-production? If so, how?
Absolutely - I am a strong advocate for flexible working. COVID-19 demonstrated that hybrid and remote working does work! When productions accommodate this setup, it reduces access barriers, making the industry more inclusive. BWIPP supports Black and Black mixed heritage women across the UK to maximise equal access, regardless of location. Flexible working also promotes a better work-life balance. Before the pandemic, I commuted nearly two hours each way to London. Now, I enjoy a healthier routine, including dog walks in the National Forest.

Q. In line with our focus on wellbeing, how does BWIPP address mental health and wellbeing within the industry, particularly for Black women?
We are very conscious of mental health and wellbeing, particularly for Black women. This is something we plan to focus on as part of the programmes we are developing. Watch this space…

Q. Lastly, how can individuals or productions support BWIPP in promoting inclusion in the post-production industry?
There are a number of ways individuals or productions can support us and the work that we do.

Word of mouth. Tell your friends, colleagues and wider network about us! We understand the importance of connections and contacts in the industry so we're building a community of like-minded women and non-binary creatives.

• Get in touch. Hiring? You can use our Diary Service or Jobs Board.

• Become a BWIPP partner. Join The Edge Picture Company, Filming in England, NEXUS and Cinegirl - you'll be in good company!

• Sponsor our events. Showcase your support and commitment to diversity.

• Follow us on socials and sign up to our mailing list. Stay up to date with our events and latest opportunities.

If you want to find out more about Black Women in Post Production here are some useful links:
Website: www.bwipp.co.uk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackwomeninpostproduction
Email: hello@bwipp.co.uk
Mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/d71d616eda8a/black-women-in-post-production-mailing-list
*Broadcast feature: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/people/black-womens-post-network-gains-traction/5189569.article*
*Televisual feature: https://www.televisual.com/news/the-edge-ties-with-black-women-in-post-production/*
*Cinegirl feature (page 12): https://www.cinegirl.net/spring-summer-24