Following a successful trial, the BASE Mentoring Programme is now open for submissions from all BASE Members
Applicants can be nominated by their organisation or personally apply
London, 2nd October 2025: Today, the British Association for Screen Entertainment (BASE) launches the BASE Mentoring Programme.
Following a successful trial of the programme in the first half of 2025, in association with BASE and DEGI: The Digital Entertainment International Hedy Lamarr Rising Star award, BASE has now widened applications to the programme to include submissions from across the spectrum of its members in the UK and international entertainment industry.
Mentoring is a proven route to addressing demographic inequalities in the workplace and directly influencing the career prospects of recipients. It is also increasingly recognised as an important element of leadership development in dynamic industries such as the £5.1bn UK Home Entertainment Industry.
The 2025 trial included six participants, all shortlisted nominees for the Hedy Lamarr Rising Star Award at the 2024 BASE Awards. The mentors were all senior leaders from across the UK Entertainment industry, with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to bring to their mentee, across multiple sessions in a six-to-nine-month period. The outcome of the programme for both mentees and mentors was a resounding success.
The programme is supported by a body of industry advisors who provide guidance and best in class rigour to the development, selection and assessment process. These include Monica Chadha, Global Coach at MOCHA 8 Ltd and Non-Executive Director at the British Film Institute; Dominic Warman, Partner at world-class recruitment and development leaders 3Search Executive; UNIC- The International Union of Cinemas; and Janet Ogundele, Director at HR Specialists Human Enterprise Ltd.
There will be ten spots available on the BASE Mentoring Programme in 2026, four of which will be filled by the shortlisted nominees for the Hedy Lamarr Rising Star Award at the BASE Awards 2025, held on November 13th 2025. The Rising Star Award at his year’s BASE Awards is supported by The Walt Disney Company.
The remaining six spots are open to anyone currently employed by a BASE or DEGI Member as of October 1st 2025, who would benefit from a period of Mentoring. To self-apply please click here. To nominate somebody within your organisation please click here. Applications are open until 5pm on November 7th 2025. Successful applicants will be notified no later than December 5th 2025. A waiting list will be created where appropriate. The Mentoring Programme will commence in January 2026, for a minimum of six session and six months.
Liz Bales, Chief Executive, BASE and DEGI, said: “I am so proud that an incredibly successful trial of the BASE Mentoring Programme has led to us expanding the programme into an industry wide initiative for 2026. As one of the 2025 mentors myself, I learnt first hand the positive and career-changing impact mentoring can have on both parties. BASE and DEGI continue to strive to support our members in all the areas that contribute to their growth and the overall health of the industry. Retaining and developing the skills of outstanding individuals through this process will benefit us all. I am so excited to meeting the 2026 BASE Mentoring Programme beneficiaries, and thank all the mentors who have so generously contributed their time and expertise so far, and in to next year.”
For further information, or to become a BASE Mentor, please contact: Louise Kean-Wood, Head of Communications, Marketing & Partnerships – [email protected]
