There is a huge amount of information available about opportunities in the screen industries, but it can be hard to know where to find the right content for 11-18-year-olds. Let us signpost you to the right source or resource, whatever your screen careers query.
Our programmes are designed to demystify the screen industries and inspire young people from the widest range of backgrounds to consider screen careers. Our resources, events and opportunities feature industry experts, providing real insight into the screen industries and supporting informed decision-making around a career in this sector.
Find out what is available to help you answer questions from young people and their parents and carers, from educators and careers advisers, and for your own professional development.
New to Into Film? Our careers offer is always growing, with new resources and events popping up all the time. Why not set up a free Into Film Account to make sure you're always up to date with how best to support screen careers conversations? Don't worry - it only takes a moment to set up!
Why explore the screen industries?
- The screen industries offer interesting and varied job opportunities.
- Young people are interested in screen industry careers but need more information and guidance to feel confident in pursuing them.*
- There is something for everyone: opportunities exist whatever a young person's level of education, skillset or area of interest.
- The industry is working hard to become more inclusive and diverse.
- The industry operates across the UK.
- The screen industries are among the top three industries that careers advisers want to know more about.*
How can I build screen industries career content into the curriculum or a school/college careers programme?
You can use the resources shared here to bring the screen industries into all aspects of your careers programme:
- Assemblies
- Form time sessions
- Subject lessons
- Extra-curricular activities
- Work experience
- Personal career guidance
- Parent/carer events.
Questions from young people, parents and carers
Why not signpost young people to our youth-facing Get Into Film social media channels? Or download our handy Parent and Carer Guide to Screen Industry Careers, which seeks to ensure parents can get their questions answered.
What are the screen industries?
When we talk about the screen industries, we're talking about off-camera roles in:
- Film (including exhibition, distribution and screen heritage)
- TV
- Animation
- VFX
- Games.
What jobs exist in the screen and creative industries?
You'll find hundreds of different roles to suit different skill sets and interests, from creative and practical to STEM and business. Some roles are specific to the screen industries, for example a ‘grip' (entry-level crew who support camera and lighting departments), but many span across creative industries.
You may expect an animator to only work in film or TV, but advertising and marketing regularly use animation within their work. And all industries require business management and operational roles such as HR professionals and accountants to keep everything moving smoothly.
Find out more in the resources below.
You can also explore our careers-focused resources that are directly supported by industry partners...
I'm not creative. Could I work in the screen industries?
There are many non-creative jobs in the screen industries. Technical skills are in demand in games, VFX, post-production and more. Plus, a combination of technical and creative skills is becoming increasingly valuable with advances in technology and AI.
The sector includes a wide range of essential operational and business roles, including administration, finance and HR. Even roles within creative departments, such as production coordinators, assistant directors and producers, rely more on organisation, communication and problem-solving than artistic creativity. And that's not to forget the practical skills needed to build sets, create gardens, forests and green spaces or wrangle animals.
I would love to study a specialist post-16 course in film, media or games but it is not available to me, what can I do?
You don't need to study a specialist course to pursue a screen industry career. Skills and knowledge from other subjects are equally valid (sometimes more so!), depending on the job you want to do. You can also build skills and test your interest in screen careers outside the classroom through competitions, events and experiences. Find out more on our Get Into Film social channels.
Which pathway should I follow to pursue a career in the screen industries?
There's no single pathway into the screen industries. Young people can enter through an apprenticeship or training programme, by moving straight into an entry level role, or via an academic route that builds their knowledge and skills. Each option varies in competitiveness, location and financial considerations, so helping learners understand the differences and the pros and cons will support them in choosing the route that fits them best.
Look out for our training to support you to explore pathways and first jobs in screen.
I don't know anyone in the screen industries. Where do I start?
Start with the events and experiences available to young people aged 11-18, supported by industry professionals from across the UK. Subscribe to our monthly Screen Careers newsletter on LinkedIn to keep informed of all the latest opportunities for you and your students.
Networking is also an essential way to build and progress a career in many parts of the screen industries, but it can be daunting for young people just starting out. Our networking resource can help you to support young people to develop their network and their networking skills safely.
Can I work in the screen industries where I live?
Yes! Screen industry organisations work in clusters right across the UK. Our screen industries labour market information (LMI) resources provide region-by-region insights into film, TV, animation, VFX and games. These resources highlight local production activity, centres of creative growth, real examples of screen organisations on your doorstep, and practical routes for young people to get started.
Find out what's happening in your region or nation.
Questions from educators and careers advisers
How do I develop or update my own knowledge on screen industry careers?
Dig deeper into the screen industries through our short courses. Use this careers hub, our screen careers newsletter and Into Film's educator-facing social media channels to keep up to date on webinars, events and teacher and adviser encounters taking place throughout the year.
Ofsted/Estyn/ET/ETI and careers benchmarks: how can we help?
Our resources highlight where they address national career benchmarks and standards:
- Gatsby benchmarks in England
- CWRE in Wales
- Developing the Young Workforce Career Education Standard in Scotland
- Careers Action Plan 2025-2028 in Northern Ireland.
Meet your statutory duty and support positive inspection outcomes (with Ofsted, Estyn, ET and ETI) by ensuring that:
- Career exploration starts early in your setting - use Switched On and Step Into Screen Careers from ages 11+ so young people are introduced to a wide range of career options
- Learn about labour market information and the skills needed for success - ensure you and your colleagues have up-to-date careers information through our CPD and LMI resources
- Students understand careers in the screen industries through our resources and lessons
- Young people learn about the different pathways into screen careers - our events, resources and Pathways into the Screen Industries webinar highlight different routes into the industry
- Young people hear from employers - our informative events and workshops feature industry voices and the chance to ask questions. See what's coming up in our monthly screen careers newsletter, or view our library of virtual broadcasts and podcasts
- Young people learn about the workplace - find out about opportunities for work experience through ScreenWorks in Northern Ireland and virtual experiences UK-wide
- Young people hear how careers link to the curriculum - professionals can start with our short course, Screen Careers Across the Curriculum, or use Switched On with your students.
How do I support neurodivergent young people or those with additional needs or disabilities to explore the screen industries?
Our resources are inclusive and can be used or adapted to meet the needs of the young people you support. Our resources feature a diverse range of voices from the industry so young people get to ‘see it to be it'.