Omni Productions is proud to announce that its impactful project, “AXA Safe Spaces,” has been named the winner of the Social Change category at this year’s Brand Film Awards, run by prestigious industry publications PRWeek and Campaign. Created for global insurer AXA, the project took top honors in a highly competitive category, successfully beating out exceptional shortlisted documentary series including inDrive and TED: My Big Idea.
AXA Safe Spaces is a pioneering web-based awareness and training program developed to help employers and employees create safe and supportive workplaces for people affected by domestic and sexual abuse.
While the website was initially created for internal use at AXA, it has now been made freely available to all employers and individuals globally. The program provides ready-to-use resources based on the practical 3R methodology: Recognise, Respond, and Refer. Through real-life stories and expert insights, the training equips individuals to recognise the signs of domestic abuse, respond with empathy and practical support, and accurately refer victim-survivors to appropriate professional services.
The initiative has already scaled significantly. AXA Safe Spaces is currently accessible worldwide, available in 11 languages, and has secured endorsements from major multinational companies including Accor, L’Oréal, Engie, Orange, Publicis, and LVMH. Building on the momentum of this award win, the team is actively working to expand the project’s global reach.
Work is currently underway to launch new versions tailored for the Korean and Turkish markets. Additionally, Omni Productions and AXA are currently developing a comprehensive set of FAQs for the site designed specifically for businesses and organizations, helping them better understand how to roll out the resource and effectively support their people.
For more information and to access the training, visit the AXA Safe Spaces platform.
National Emergency Briefing – Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resilience for West Businesses
Please register to attend this screening of the National Emergency Briefing film in the Bristol Business School on 15th May, along with a Panel Discussion on implications for businesses in the West of England.
The film presents a clear, measured overview of how the climate and nature crisis is affecting everyday life in Britain – and what the evidence says about risks and responses. The initiative is explicitly non-partisan, and has support from a wide range of organisations including National Trust, Church of England, Exeter University, the Royal Meteorological Society, WWF, National Education Union, and many more. Its purpose is to support informed democratic discussion and ensure that Parliament and the public share a common understanding of the scale and urgency of the challenge.
Following the 45-minute film, we will host a 45-minute structured local discussion on what this means for our community. Speakers will include Luke McCullough from Aviva and Emma Howard Boyd, former Chair of the Environment Agency.
Friday 15th May
UWE Bristol Frenchay Campus, Bristol Business School, BS16 1QY
National Emergency Briefing – Mitigation, Adaptation, and Resilience for West Businesses
The government will soon be announcing the long awaited champion for freelancers in the creative industries.
Following campaigning by many groups representing the self-employed, it was first confirmed in the creative industries sector plan published in June 2025 that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will appoint “a creative freelance champion…to advocate for the sector’s creative freelancers within government”.
Freelancers are a key driver of the creative sector. Government data shows self-employment accounted for 28% of creative industries employment from April 2024 to March 2025, compared to 14% across the entire UK workforce.
Other data shows that although creative industries employed roles fell to 1,713,000 in 2024 from 1,744,000 in 2023, the number of roles for self-employed individuals and freelancers increased to 696,000, up from 675,000 the year before.
Writing on LinkedIn, Matthew Dowling, chairman of the Good Work Review Working Group for Self Employed Creators at the Creative Industries Council, said he has received confirmation that the freelance champion role has now been offered, and “an official announcement is expected in the coming weeks”. He added:
“For years, freelancers have lacked someone at government level to advocate for the millions of independent workers who too often feel overlooked, underserved, and invisible in national policy.
“There’s a huge opportunity to use this appointment as a milestone to recognise both the economic contribution of the freelance community and the role they play in our everyday lives.”
We want to know what BCI members think the freelance champion should focus on. We have many freelancers in the Bristol Creative Industries member community and it’s very welcome news that the government is finally introducing this new role.
Research last year by Creative UK found the challenges faced by freelancers include late payment, a decrease in demand for their services as a result of generative AI and limited workplace protections. Supporting freelancers were among the issues raised by several BCI members when we asked them to share what they’d like to see the new government do to support the creative industries ahead of the 2024 general election.
We’ll be publishing an article on what Bristol Creative Industries members would like the freelance champion to focus on.
If you’re a BCI member and would like to be featured, send a quote of around 100 words outlining what areas you think the freelance champion should address to Dan Martin at [email protected]
Supporting the next generation of lighting talent has been part of SLX’s story for years, and applications are now open for the 2026/27 cohort of our Lighting Programme.
Launched in 2018, the programme was created to give emerging lighting designers and technical theatre students meaningful support as they prepare to take the next step into the industry. Each year, five students from across the UK are selected to join the programme during their final year of study, gaining access to practical support, industry insight and real opportunities that help bridge the gap between education and working life.
For students heading into their final year, the programme is designed to give participants a chance to build their confidence, strengthen their knowledge and gain a clearer understanding of the different career paths available within lighting and technical production.
We know how important that early support can be, SLX is a Bristol-based technical production and hire company working across live events, light trails, sports, TV and broadcast, and performing arts. Creativity and problem solving sit at the heart of what we do, but just as important is the responsibility we feel to support the industries we are part of. As a B Corp, that purpose-led approach shapes how we work, how we grow and how we invest in people.
The Lighting Programme reflects that mindset. SLX was built by people with a genuine passion for these industries, and that has never changed. We know the sector depends on skilled, creative people coming through, and we believe established businesses have a role to play in helping make that happen.
Successful applicants will gain access to mentorship, hands-on experience, exposure to professional equipment and a better understanding of the realities of working in the sector. The aim is to help students move forward with more confidence, stronger industry awareness and a clearer sense of where their skills could take them.
We are now inviting applications from lighting design and technical theatre students who will be entering their final year of study in September 2026.
Applications for the 2026/27 cohort are open from 13 April 2026 to 8 May 2026.
To find out more about the programme and apply, visit: here
The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) contributed an estimated £547 million to the local economy and supported nearly 9,000 jobs in the West of England in the academic year 2023/24.
According to the newly released economic impact report by Oxford Economics, UWE Bristol – the largest university in the South West – also had a significant impact on the national economy, creating an ecosystem that contributed over £1 billion in the academic year 2023/24, while sustaining over 15,000 jobs across the UK and generating £242 million in tax revenues.
As well as quantifying the university’s economic footprint, the report also analysed its contribution to innovation, research & development – and, critically, its societal impact.
The university attracts students from areas with socio-economic challenges, helping to tackle a key driver of economic inequality. In 2023/24, 29% of students came from the top 30% most-deprived areas of England and 3% come from among the top 10% most-deprived1.
Many of UWE Bristol’s graduates go on to work in socially impactful roles helping to address staff shortages in the sector. Over a quarter of the graduates who found employment in the UK in 2023 took on roles such as paramedics, care workers, social workers and nurses.
The second-largest cohort of UWE Bristol graduates in that year went on to work in the professional, scientific and technical services sector – an increasingly important part of the West of England economy and one of the fastest-growing sectors nationally.
These graduate’s skills are supported by the university’s internationally recognised research, with 76% of research output classified as ‘World Leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’ according to the Research Excellence Framework. It is estimated that UWE Bristol’s research & development in the academic year 2023/24 will generate a productivity benefit equivalent to £5.2 million across the UK by 2040.
The skills graduates acquire at university enable them to create new business ventures, often in sectors with high productivity and higher levels of innovation. This is supported by UWE Bristol’s University Enterprise Zone (UEZ), which provides innovative tech start-ups and businesses with high quality space and facilities.
Facilities at the UEZ include the innovation centre, Future Space, which offers high-spec labs, private offices, and technical workshops. According to its Annual Impact Report 2024–25, since 2016, Future Space has supported 148 companies, generating over £35 million in GVA (Gross Value Added) and facilitating over 600 new jobs.
Since 2018, UWE Bristol has also contributed to over 400 new jobs through its Scale up 4 Growth (S4G) partnership with NatWest. S4G is a grant funding programme offering £400,000 of grant funding, as well as practical support, to help small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region to grow.
Professor Sir Steve West, vice-chancellor, president and CEO, UWE Bristol said: “The research by Oxford Economics has shown not only the sizable contribution UWE Bristol’s staff and students make to the local and national economy, but also the breadth of our societal impact too. We’re really proud to be based within the West of England and the report cements UWE Bristol’s position as an important anchor institution, contributing broad economic, social, and civic impact – a role we take seriously.
“At the heart of this is our students, who bring vital skills to the region for local employers, particularly those in health and social care. Our enterprise ethos, embedded across programmes and our campuses, is supporting regional productivity by nurturing start-ups and spin-outs at Future Space, alongside world class research collaborations.”
Image cedit: Drone Motion and Hyphensocial
Congratulations! You’ve produced a video you’re really happy with. Now all that’s left to do is upload it to your preferred streaming platform and forget about it, right? Well, not quite. Uploading it to one platform and moving on is a missed opportunity. A single video can generate weeks or even months of marketing content when used as part of a structured video marketing strategy.
There’s a much better way to maximise your investment, and it’s far less expensive than you might think…
As video becomes more and more important in buying decisions (don’t just take our word for it) making the most of your content has become essential. The aim is to maximise the number of opportunities to engage with your audience and that means translating your content into the most eye-catching formats and showcasing it on the most relevant platforms.
Ensuring the consistency of your brand’s look and feel across each touch point is also key to helping build trust and recognition. Plus, it means you can have content that can more easily be used at a later date.
This is where the strategy of producing one main film and cleverly repurposing it with mini edits comes into play. Where appropriate, you can also use it to create micro content (films or animations). Extracting key moments and insights from the hero video means marketers can tailor their content to suit different platforms and audience preferences.
So how is it done? There are 3 main ‘Ms’ to bear in mind.
(view image in the original article here)
The first M (Main) is pretty straight forward, so we won’t spend too much time here. Your Main is the complete film you’ve put all your effort and time into. A tight script, some fun effects and clever camera work and you’re good to go.
As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to put this on YouTube or your preferred streaming platform etc. YouTube is perhaps the best know and makes your videos very discoverable, but you might benefit from the additional insights a platform such as TwentyThree can provide. This allows you to continue refining how you position your content and helps you attract more views.
*Don’t forget that you might want to hype your main film using your shorter pieces of content first, so hang fire on posting it until you’ve released a few canny ‘teaser’ edits.
We’ve used an example from the TOUGHBOOK campaign we produced for technology pioneers, Panasonic, highlighting how we maximised the video assets – from the primary film to short clips and teaser content.
(view the video in the original article here)
The second M (Mini) is where you start to create shorter, more focused edits of your Main film. A Mini edit’s purpose can either be to build a queue of people ready to watch your main film OR highlight unique parts of your offering.
For example, your Main film may be about your complete suite of products or services, but your Mini edits might break it down into your specialism in individual sectors. Equally, you might have produced a tutorial on how to use your product and found that people are most often searching for (and watching) one particular step of the process. Creating a Mini edit focused on that one step, packed with quality SEO, can increase your discoverability to new prospects.
The key here is not to create lots of new content, you should be aiming to recycle, reuse and reformat as much as possible into new edits.
Here’s a quick shorthand for how you might define those different types of edit.
These give the audience a reason to watch your main video. What are you audience going to find out? Does it give a glimpse of a new product or service? Are you announcing a particular date or event? Perhaps your interview had a nugget of gold in, you can create a short edit that leads up to that point, encouraging viewers to watch your main film to find out more.
Think of this as a short snappy edit that sets everything else up. This will come out in advance of your main video, so the goal is to create a queue of people ready and waiting for when the main video launches.
Here’s a little teaser video from the Panasonic Toughbook campaign.
(view the video in the original article here)
These combine as many hooks as possible to pull people towards your main film OR provide another CTA i.e. to a landing page or sign-up form.
By condensing the most compelling moments and messages from the core video into shorter formats, marketers can deliver targeted edits that resonate with different segments of their audience.
Now’s the time to think social media: using LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok etc. With these platforms, your audience often wants smaller bite-size content.
Whether it’s a brief teaser, a highlight reel, or a quick tutorial, each edit serves to capture attention and drive engagement, ultimately leading viewers back to the full video for a deeper dive into the content.
Check out this short snippet from the Toughbook campaign- a quick example of how a single core video can evolve into engaging mini content that grabs the attention of the viewer.
(view the video in the original article here)
This most often refers to content such as Gifs, presentations or web animations. Think of them as small single-issue messages, or very brief statements. Examples could be:
The key here is to keep it concise. If someone asked you to explain your micro edit, could you sum it up in one sentence? You’re giving potential customers clarity in seconds, and for the time-poor that’s a compelling reason to click.
The outputs for Micro tend to fall into gifs, MP4s, or Lotties and Rives, and the use cases are the broadest:
Here’s an example of how we make the most of one explainer video. This is our Atomic Design explainer video. We use the complete video to kick off pitches, giving the audience a quick overview of the methodology.
(view the videos in the original article here)
Video marketing remains a powerful tool for brands looking to engage audiences and drive meaningful interactions. By creating one full video and repurposing it into shorter edits, marketers can maximise the reach and impact of their content across various platforms –without drastically increasing the total cost.
A well thought out video marketing plan should guide your production of the video. It lets you know up-front exactly what the strategy is and the exact content you’ll need to produce. For example, when you animate that icon, is it also going to be needed for a Lottie? And, if so, what steps do you need to take to minimise additional work?
By combining compelling visuals with strategic messaging, and getting under the right noses, brands can create memorable experiences that resonate with their audience and drive tangible results.
If you’re wondering how to squeeze even more value out of your video content, or just want to talk through your ideas, get in touch at [email protected].
Weston College was delighted to welcome the National Youth Theatre to deliver its IGNITE Your Creativity programme, a series of fully funded, industry-led workshops designed to inspire and engage students from across a wide range of creative and technical curriculum areas. Delivered in partnership with and supported by Netflix, the programme provided learners with practical, hands-on experiences that introduced them to the wide range of creative and technical roles within film, television, theatre and related industries.
Taking place over a two-week period, the workshops enabled students to work closely with industry professionals, gaining first-hand insight into how creative projects are developed and delivered in professional environments. Learners explored a variety of roles and responsibilities, from performance and production to technical and behind-the-scenes careers, while developing confidence, teamwork skills and a greater understanding of working on professional film and theatre sets.
The programme engaged students from Performing Arts, Media, Theatrical Hair and Makeup, Fashion, Art and Design, A Levels, Into Work and Creative Media Extension learners with SEND, and the King’s Trust cohort. Sessions were carefully tailored to meet the needs of each group, ensuring that all participants were able to access meaningful, relevant and inclusive learning experiences, regardless of background or career stage.
Students were introduced to a wide range of creative disciplines, including acting and performance, directing and assistant directing, producing, research, camera and sound, podcast and audio production, screenwriting and vertical drama. Learners studying fashion, hair and makeup explored costume design, fabrication, set and prop creation, hair, wigs and special effects makeup for productions. SEND learners and those preparing for employment benefitted from accessible delivery, clear progression routes and increased confidence in exploring creative career pathways.
The practical, short-format sessions had a positive impact on student engagement, motivation and attendance. Fully funded delivery, bursaries and adaptable approaches helped remove barriers to participation, reinforcing the college’s commitment to inclusive education. The programme also strengthened progression by highlighting routes into mentoring, showreel development, industry networks and further specialist training.
Students who participated in the workshops have been offered to take part in a fully funded, one-week National Youth Theatre course taking place during February Half Term at the Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare. This intensive programme will enable learners to collaboratively create a short film for use in CVs and showreels, while receiving mentoring and guidance from more than ten industry professionals. Students will gain hands-on technical experience across key production areas, including sound, camera, lighting, make-up and design, alongside the opportunity to take part in industry visits that deepen their understanding of professional creative environments.
This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with high-profile employers and gain experience that will enhance their portfolio. It is also a great networking opportunity, giving students the chance to continue to work with the National Youth Theatre in the future and gain hands-on experience in a range of potential career paths.
Ethan Shi, A Level Media Lecturer, added, “Breaking into the creative industries, such as Film and TV, can be challenging. It takes confidence. It takes skills. It takes passion. But even more so, opportunities. When employers and industry speakers step into the classroom, they will demonstrate and support learners by turning their imagination and career prospects into real pathways. They show not just what it takes to gain a foothold, but also demonstrate the diverse roles and potential that can be achieved through the right guidance, access, and progression.”
Lynsey McKinstry, Strategic Business Partnership Manager at Weston College, said, “We are so grateful to the National Youth Theatre for delivering these workshops to our students. It is employer engagement like that is invaluable for our students personal and professional development. Hearing directly from industry professionals helped bring careers in the Creative industry to life and showed learners the wide range of roles available within production. These opportunities allow students from all pathways to build confidence, understand employer expectations and see how their skills can translate into real employment.”
A huge thank you to the team at the National Youth Theatre who took the time to visit our students and deliver these impactful workshops.
Pictured L-R: Julia Gray – Principal and Chief Executive Officer of City of Bristol College, Helen Godwin – Mayor of the West of England, The Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP and Karin Smyth – MP for Bristol South
On Monday, City of Bristol College’s Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Julia Gray, attended the Prime Minister’s Opportunities for All: A National Apprenticeship Week Reception at 10 Downing Street.
Also in attendance were Jacqui Smith, Skills Minister, Ollie de Botton, the Prime Minister’s expert adviser on Education and Skills who has previously visited City of Bristol College, apprentices, employers and children from schools who are interested in apprenticeships.
The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, attended the event and spoke to apprentices and influencers who use their platforms to promote career paths.
The event celebrated the crucial role that apprenticeships play in creating good jobs, supporting various industries and strengthening communities across the UK.
The reception, help as part of National Apprenticeship Week, highlighted the growing national recognition of apprentices as key contributors to the UK’s economic future.
A press release published by the Government last week sees the Prime Minister vow to “unlock opportunities for young people across the country”.
The Government is set to pilot a university clearance-style system where “near miss” applicants who aren’t successful in securing their first choice of apprenticeship will be re-directed to similar opportunities in their area.
Delivered in partnership with employers and Mayoral Strategic Authorities, this pilot will test how young people can be re-directed to other suitable employers and apprenticeships often found on their doorstep if they were unsuccessful in their initial applications.
An online platform will bring together information on apprenticeships in one place for young people, many of whom are keen to explore the apprenticeship route but don’t know exactly where to start.
The platform will include new data showing actual earnings and details of how apprentices have progressed after completing their training, helping young people to compare options and understand which apprenticeships lead to lasting careers.
This will mean that employers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses will gain access to a stronger pipeline of motivated young talent; helping to close the skills gap.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: “Apprenticeships give young people real experience, real prospects, and a real route into good careers.
“But for too long young people have been held back from the opportunities they need to get on in life because of outdated assumptions about how to make it into a successful career.
“We’re unlocking opportunities for young people across the country by making it easier and faster to get the skills that matter, so more young people can build a secure life for themselves.”
For information regarding how City of Bristol College can support both apprentices and employers, simply click here.
Last month, our Photography students organised a pet photoshoot for members of the public to bring in their dogs, giving our students hands-on experience working with clients and building their confidence and skills.
This photoshoot is always an extremely popular event due to the professionalism and high-quality photographs produced by the students. Not only do these create fantastic keepsakes for owners, but students also learn the challenges of working with clients in a candid and fast-paced environment.
During this shoot, students got to work with a variety of dogs breeds, getting to know their individual differences which taught them to alter their techniques depending on the dogs’ mannerisms, personality, and needs. This increased the students’ adaptability, resilience, and communication skills which is required for a career in Photography.
This event is often a highlight for both the students, and the community. It encourages interaction and engagement, and provides students with invaluable insight into the industry, experiencing both the challenges and the rewards of working with clients.
The photographs captured by the students were amazing, with one client sharing their feedback, saying: “My dogs are quite hyper and rarely like to do what they’re told, however, the students were great at making them feel calm and helping me handle them to get some really amazing photos. They were very polite and professional and knew how to chat to me and my dogs to make us feel comfortable which is half the battle. This event seems like a fantastic opportunity for students to work with external clients, build on their skills, and get some really amazing photographs to add to their portfolio and I’m so happy with mine!”
A huge well done to all the students involved, you acted professionally and politely throughout the experience and produced some fantastic work!
This event forms part of the Photography Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College’s Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners’ careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.
BRAVA, a leading provider of high-quality coaching in the art and business of voice, is proud to announce a new partnership with Films @ 59, Bristol’s premier film and television studio complex.
This collaboration will see Films @ 59 provide world-class studio facilities for BRAVA’s extensive programme of group voice acting workshops and masterclasses, further strengthening Bristol and the South West as a global hub for voice excellence.
BRAVA is renowned for bringing the very best voice coaches from around the globe to Bristol and the South West, offering elite-level training that spans performance, technique, and the commercial realities of the voice industry. Through this partnership, Films @ 59 now offers the ideal environment to combine dynamic workout sessions with professional studio recording, giving participants a seamless, industry-relevant training experience.
The partnership enables BRAVA to deliver its workshops and masterclasses in fully equipped, high-spec studio spaces, allowing artists to train, record, and refine their craft in facilities used by leading productions across film, television, and voice media.
Melissa Thom, CEO of BRAVA, said:
“This partnership with Films @ 59 is a hugely exciting step for BRAVA. Our mission has always been to provide world-class voice coaching and to make Bristol and the South West a destination for excellence in the industry. Having access to such outstanding studio facilities means our artists can train and record at the highest professional level, right here at home. Together, we’re not just serving our local community, we’re putting Bristol firmly on the global voice map.”
Films @ 59, widely recognised for its state-of-the-art studios and commitment to creative excellence, sees the partnership as a natural alignment of values and ambition.
George Panayiotou, Business Director at Films @ 59, commented:
“We’re delighted to welcome BRAVA to Films @ 59. Their reputation for attracting the highest quality coaches and nurturing exceptional voice talent perfectly complements our facilities and our commitment to supporting the creative industries in Bristol and the South West. By bringing training, workouts, and professional recording together under one roof, we’re helping to elevate the region’s profile and showcase it as a serious global player in the voice and screen industries.”
Together, BRAVA and Films @ 59 aim to create a best-in-class training environment that supports emerging and established voice artists alike, strengthens the regional creative economy, and positions Bristol and the South West as an international centre for voice talent, innovation, and opportunity.
BRAVA’s series of advanced masterclasses will take place throughout 2026.
-ends-
You need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information