BAFTA Shares COVID-19 Resources for Creatives

The COVID-19 Coronavirus lockdown has hit the economy hard. The creative industries are suffering, as do hospitality, entertainment, manufacturing, education – you name it. British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA) shared with the public the vital and important resources for all those affected by the COVID-19.

With the impact of the coronavirus being felt across the world, and in each of our lives, they’ve compiled a list of resources and support currently available to professionals across creative sectors, as well as links to the latest advice from the UK Government and NHS.

Employment and Financial

ACAS

Advice for employers and employees.

The Actors’ Benevolent Fund

Offering help to professional actors and stage managers unable to work due to contracting COVID-19 or self-isolating due to illness. 

Arts Council Wales

Offering support and advice to creatives in Wales.

Artists’ General Benevolent Institution

Offering financial support to artists in need and their dependents living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Bectu

Includes useful information and advice for freelancers.

BFI

Helps answer key questions and home of relevant resources; contact the BFI for support with specific issues you are facing as an industry professional.

The BFI and the Film and TV Charity’s fund, established with a donation from Netflix.

Bristol Government

Offering a grant fund to small businesses.

Capacity Interactive

Digital marketing recommendations for the arts community during the outbreak.

Coronavirus Business Support (UK Government)

A new site launched by the UK Government, outlining the full range of business support measures that have been made available to UK businesses and employees. Includes information on how to access the support that has been made available, who is eligible, when the schemes open and how to apply.

Creative England

A collection of advice and resources.

Creative Industries Federation 

Daily guidance and information for those working in creative industries.

Creative Scotland

Offering support and advice to creatives in Scotland.

Directors UK

Useful Q&A for directors.

Directors Charitable Foundation

Expanding their directors supports scheme.

Disability Arts Online

Funding for disabled artists in the UK to pitch ideas for art or content to be produced whilst in self-isoaltion.

Equity

Regularly updated information for performers and creative practitioners across the industry.

Equity Charitable Trust

Offering grants to Industry professionals who are eligble for an Equity card.

Facebook

Grants for small businesses will be launching soon, sign up here for updates.

Federation of Small Businesses

Advice and guidance for small businesses and the self-employed.

Ffilm Cymru Wales

A hub of advice and information including both financial assistance and government advice. 

Film and TV Charity

Includes information on its Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund, a helpline on mental wellbeing and financial advice, and one-off grants for artists and freelancers in urgent financial need.

Film and TV Workers Fund for Location Support

Go Fund Me for those who work in the location department.

Film London

Statement on the work they are doing and a collection of resources.

Guild

Information and guidance on working remotely.

Go Fund Me

Artists across the UK have been setting up Go Fund Me pages to help those impacted by COVID-19.

IPSE (Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed)

Practical advice for the self employed.

LEP Growth Hubs (UK)

Offering advice and support to local businesses

Mayor of London

The Mayor of London has launched a new emergency £2.3m fund to help some of London’s most at risk creative and night time businesses. The targeted fund is designed to help grassroots music and LGBTQ+ venues, creative workspaces and independent cinemas.

Money Saving Expert

Coronavirus financial help & rights.

Northern Ireland Screen

Information for the screen industry in NI, including information on the Northern Ireland Executive support available

Northern Island Executive Support

One off grants to small businesses.

Pact

Sector-related FAQs regarding the Government’s Job Retention Scheme

Guidance and information for members.

Production Guild

A hub of advice and resources.

PRS for Music

Information on an Emergency Relief Fund set up for PRS members.

Screen Alliance Wales

Collection of information for freelancers and businesses.

Screen Scotland

Bridging bursary for freelance or self-employed screen practitioners.

Sheridans

Teaming up with UKIE to offer contract helpline for games.

UKIE 

Building support and advice network for Games sector.

UK Government

Financial guidance for employers, employees and businesses affected by COVID-19.

HMRC helpline for businesses.

UK Screen Alliance

Information on government measures and resources.

Welsh Government

Support for the culture, creative and sports sectors.

Wiggin

Updates and insights into evolving events that affect the creative industries.

Health

Mind

Advice on coping with the pandemic from a mental health perspective.

NHS

Essential news and advice from the UK’s National Health Service

Mental Wellbeing healthlines.

UK Government

Information about the situation in the UK, along with guidance for what to do if you think you’re at risk.

Wales Screen

General advice and information for those in Wales.

6ft From Mental Health in Film

BAFTA Crew participant Leo Thomas and her colleague Matt Longley set up 6ft From The Spotlight to help the mental health of freelance crew in the entertainment sector.

Creative Inspiration and Resources

BAFTA Guru

A hub for inspirational career advice from the very best in film, games and television.

Soundcloud and Youtube with interviews, talks and more.

ScreenSkills

A page collecting together what they are doing to help the freelance screen workforce.

They are running a range of masterclasses, training and workshops supported by the TV Skills Fund, ScreenSkills ITF and the HETV Skills Fund.

Two e-learning modules to support mentoring.

#Shortitout

BFI NETWORK, Encounters Short Film Festival and Watershed Cinema have launched #Shortitout – an online space offering tips, inspiration and resources for short filmmakers.

Federation Webinar Series: Insights

The webinar content is devised specifically with members in mind, with the audience encouraged to send in discussion points in advance, with a Q&A at the end of each session. Free Federations Membership for 6 months.

Offers and Opportunities

Met Opera

North America’s largest classical music organisation is providing nightly streams of performances on its site for free.

National Theatre at Home

Tune in every Thursday for much-loved National Theatre Live productions, free to stream on YouTube for seven days.

On top of the resources page, BAFTA are organising video workshops open to the public – these can be seen here.