The Skillset Graduate Fellowship Programme 2008 has selected this year's participants.

The initiative, backed by Skillset and the UK Film Council, gives paid placements at leading film companies for graduates from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

The scheme pays a training allowance up to about $34,000 (£17,000) per year. Fellows also attend masterclasses and workshops.

Alison Owen of Ruby Films says: 'We offered a Development Assistant Fellowship last year and our fellow, David Chikwe, was fantastic. We had no hesitation in signing up to the Programme for the second year running.'

The programme launched in 2007 as part of the Audio Visual Entrepreneurship Development Partnership (AVE DP), a major partnership - Skillset and the UK Film Council working with leading broadcasters, trade unions, Regional Screen Agencies, employers and training providers. Delivered by Diversity in Visual Arts, the Skillset Graduate Fellowship Programme is funded by the Skillset Film Skills Fund and the UK Film Council Diversity Department.

This year's fellows and placements are:
Danny Takhar, development assistant fellowship at Film4
Jayasri Naik, development assistant at Warp X
Lucy Taylor, acqusitions assistant fellowship at Revolver Entertaiment
Nica-Rose Hamblin, development executive fellowship at Eon Screenwriters Workshop
Joon Goh, production fellowship at Revolution Films
Manu Pandey, production fellowship at Rise Films
Susan Lee, accounts fellowship at Recorded Picture Company
Vicki Brown, international sales, marketing and production fellowship at Focus Features
Yasu Asami, producers assistant at Ruby Films
Dora Jejey, team assistant fellowship at Cameo Productions

Topics