Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training
Since 2018, BIFA has been providing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training courses to organisations and individuals from across the screen industries. Public courses have included Unconscious Bias Training, Anti-Bullying and Harassment Training and Fair Recruitment and Inclusivity in the Workplace Training, but we also work directly with organisations to deliver alternative, bespoke sessions to meet their immediate needs.
If you are interested in organising a private training session on behalf of your organisation, please contact hello@bifa.film. We’ve successfully delivered sessions to a wide range of organisations including BFI, Personal Managers Association, Global Eagle, Film Fatales, Think Jam, Intermission Film, Vertigo Releasing Sky News and BAFTA.
If you are interested in attending one of our public E, D & I training sessions, please fill out our expression of interest form here.
A full breakdown of the courses currently available to the public can be found below. If the can’t see the training you are looking for listed below please get in touch at hello@bifa.film so that we can discuss your needs.
UNCONSCIOUS BIAS TRAINING – Screen Industries
This course will provide participants with the knowledge and skills required to minimise the impact of unconscious bias across all parts of the industry. Using real-life examples to interrogate the ways in which unconscious bias and privilege manifest within film and TV, the course aims to ensure that all participants leave with the practical tools required to reduce the effects of personal and organisational unconscious bias.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the concept of unconscious bias and its impact on behaviour and decision making at work, creative commissioning and networks and contacts
- Understand the bi-directional relationship between unconscious bias and the media
- Describe the relationship between implicit association, unconscious bias, language, stereotypes, attitudes and behaviour
- Outline the meaning and impact of systemic oppression and the discuss the potential of the screen industries in deconstructing it
- Challenge processes and language which leave organisational practices and
decision making vulnerable to unconscious bias - Address micro-messaging arising from unconscious bias
N.B all participants are requested to take ScreenSkills’ ‘Addressing Unconscious Bias: Basic Awareness in the Workplace’ e-learning module ahead of the session.
Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Intervention
The aim of this course is to give managers, and others in positions of power or responsibility, the confidence and skills to handle incidences, allegations, or reports of inappropriate behaviour on their production or in their workplace
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Explain when behaviour is inappropriate, and the impact on individuals, teams, organisations, and society
- Listen and respond appropriately when someone discloses or reports bullying or harassment. Define the possible escalation, sources of support, and options available to individuals
- Outline what is needed from individuals, organisations, managers, and colleagues to prevent issues arising
- Demonstrate allyship, appropriate challenging techniques and support for staff affected by issues related to bullying, harassment, unfair bias, and equality, diversity, and inclusion issues
Allyship Training
The aims of this course are to:
- Increase Awareness: Create a deeper understanding of systemic barriers and biases that contribute to inequality and exclusion.
- Foster Empathy and Support: Encourage participants to develop a sense of responsibility towards creating a more inclusive and equitable environment.
- Promote Active Engagement: The course aims to equip participants with the knowledge, tools, skills, and empowerment to actively engage in challenging discriminatory behaviour and promote equality within their professional environment.
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Explain key concepts such as privilege and intersectionality, and relate these to their own and other’s experiences of work in the screen industry
- Effectively challenge or report discrimination, bias, and micro-aggressions
- Recognise the impact of not challenging discrimination, bias, and micro-aggressions
- Define cultural appropriation and systemic bias
- Describe how multiple identities intersect and impact individuals’ experiences and access to opportunities
- Role model cultural competency by demonstrating improved knowledge and understanding of different cultures, traditions, and backgrounds, utilising skills to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries
- Engage in productive conversations and consultations around diversity and inclusion
The following additional courses are also available as private sessions which organisations and productions may book for their teams. Please email hello@bifa.film for more information.
DIGNITY AT WORK TRAINING
The aim of this workshop is to give participants increased awareness and skills related to ensuring our working environment is psychologically safe, and enabling them to create a workplace where diverse individuals can grow and flourish.
By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:
- Define key terms – dignity, respect, bullying, harassment, and psychological safety
- Recognise the impact of lack of dignity at work on our performance, our physical and mental health, and our colleagues, members, teams, crews, and productions
- Explain individual responsibilities in creating a dignified and safe working environment
- Identify interventions at the personal, interpersonal, and organisational level to utilise going forward
- List resources and sources of support
FAIR recruitment and managing a diverse crew
The aim of this course is to give participants the skills and knowledge they need to successfully recruit and manage crews and teams of diverse individuals.
- Explain how diversity can benefit individuals, teams, productions, and organisations
- Define the key elements of creating a safe and inclusive working environment for unique individuals
- Explain relevant legal boundaries and requirements, and discuss historical and current barriers to inclusion of diversity in the screen industries
- Define types of unconscious bias likely to affect us and recognise critical points at which unfairness or bias may influence recruitment, management, or promotion decisions
- Explore and critique common industry practices in hiring and managing, and identify changes that could be made to their own practice to improve inclusion in the crews they work with
- Demonstrate self-awareness and flexibility in their crewing up and management practice
Cultural awareness and inclusion on set
The aim of this training session is to increase awareness among participants of the impact of cultural differences on our communication, expectations, and behaviour in the working environment, and to equip attendees with the skills needed to navigate culturally diverse workplaces and productions
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Define culture and how it is made
- Explain the impact of our culture on our experiences and progression in the screen industries
- Identify possible pitfalls in cross-cultural communications
- Demonstrate skills in culturally appropriate inclusion, consultation, and cross-cultural communication
- Recognise appropriate boundaries in cultural acceptance
- Define cultural appropriation and explore boundaries regarding this
Anti-racism
The aims of this course are to increase participants’ confidence to act against racism, be an active ally, and engage in conversations about race; also, to try to ensure participants feel comfortable to reflect on their behaviours, accept constructive challenge, and can effectively identify and address racism within, at least, their local environment.
By the end of the course, participants should be able to:
- Define significant terms such as race, racism and anti-racism, white privilege, white fragility and microaggressions
- Recognise the causes of institutional discrimination in the industry and wider society
- Recognise racist and potentially racist language and behaviour
- Take action at work against ‘local’ institutional racism
- Address inappropriate behaviours and use their position to de-centre whiteness at work and beyond
Feedback
Here is what some of our previous participants had to say about the training:
“Really great – I came out feeling inspired to really challenge myself and work on the way I think and act in the workplace and beyond.”
“The session was delivered with clarity and compassion alongside a true comprehensiveness of the subject matter. This allowed the audience to interact and ask questions which were listened to and answered fully.”
“Useful for life and work. Everyone should do this training.”
“I think it was brilliant – the presenter was fantastic, relatable, accessible. She made it feel like a conversation rather than a lecture.”
“I was reluctant to take part as I would typically judge this sort of thing as a waste of time, but . . . the outcome was quite surprising. I am so glad I took part. If only other organisations ensured that all their members did the same!”
“I think we all want to help diversity in our industry but often lack resources or opportunity to make real change – I felt that this session helped push a huge group of industry professionals a step in the right direction.”