Akua Gyamfi
Founder & CEO
The British Blacklist
About the Speaker
"Akua Gyamfi has over 30 years of experience in the entertainment industry, with a career spanning fashion, film, television, theatre, print and online media. In 2012 Akua founded The British Blacklist, a platform that celebrates the talents of British Black creatives across Screen, Stage, Literature and Sound. She also produces podcasts Your Aunties Could Never (popular culture), and TBB Talks (interviews with Black creatives from around the globe). Alongside writer/producer Leon Mayne, Akua is the co-creator/co-exec producer and host of podcast series The Circle speaking to Black & Asian professionals working in Film & Television, the pair also host a monthly film club at Shoreditch Electric. In 2019 Akua joined forces with Soul Film, and We Are Parable to launch the S.O.U.L. Film Festival, an annual event which showcases the best of Black filmmakers and content creators from the UK and the wider Diaspora. Akua is also a much sought after Q&A moderator having moderated for A.M.P.A.S, BAFTA, Netflix, Disney, BBC and more.
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Matchmaking Information
Attending
Best in Class: How do we Protect Working-Class Talent in a Contracting Industry?
Conference
Best in Class: How do we Protect Working-Class Talent in a Contracting Industry?
Speaker's Sessions (1)
Date
Session
Conference
Tuesday, Dec 9, 2025
12:40 PM - 1:20 PM
Craft & Innovation
Theatre 2
English
Best in Class: How do we Protect Working-Class Talent in a Contracting Industry?
With the commissioning slowdown continuing to squeeze freelancers and early career creatives, those from working class backgrounds are feeling the strain most acutely. Lacking financial safety nets or established industry networks to fall back on, many are now questioning whether they can realistically afford to remain in the sector.
This session looks at what that pressure feels like on the ground for freelancers. And asks how we can stop losing the working-class talent that OFCOM frequently criticises broadcasters for failing to represent on and off screen.
Bringing together creatives who have built their careers from working class beginnings, the panel will explore the barriers that persist, the support that is missing and the distinctive value that working class perspectives bring to storytelling and decision making.
This session looks at what that pressure feels like on the ground for freelancers. And asks how we can stop losing the working-class talent that OFCOM frequently criticises broadcasters for failing to represent on and off screen.
Bringing together creatives who have built their careers from working class beginnings, the panel will explore the barriers that persist, the support that is missing and the distinctive value that working class perspectives bring to storytelling and decision making.
Speakers (4)
Jemma Gander
Producer/Director & Co-Creative Director, Two Step FilmsAkua Gyamfi
Founder & CEO, The British BlacklistModerator (1)