Women in Film and Television (WFTV) and United International Pictures (UIP) are launching the second year of their UK scheme Directing Change.

Directing Change gives women directors the opportunity to work alongside an experienced and internationally established director during a forthcoming feature film production.

Directing Change is part of WFTV's campaign to address the under-representation of female directors in the industry. According to the 2002 Skillset census, women represented 46 per cent of the total industry workforce but filled less than 10 per cent of the more technical roles in camera, lighting, sound and special effects.

Last year the two beneficiaries of the Directing Change scheme were Shreepali Patel, who worked alongside Roger Michell on the upcoming Pathe production of Ian McEwan's novel Enduring Love, and Tammy Riley-Smith, who worked alongside John Madden on the Miramax feature Proof.

Two more women, with proven directorial experience in any medium, will be chosen this year to receive financial assistance from Directing Change to cover expenses during their film work placement.

Supporters of Directing Change include Gurinder Chadha, Jane Campion, Sir Alan Parker, Anthony Minghella, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films, Robert Jones from the Film Council, Richard Loncraine, Andrew MacDonald, Duncan Kenworthy and Allon Reich of DNA Films.

Further details on how to apply to Directing Change can be found at www.wftv.org.uk or by contacting the WFTV office on (44) 20 7240 4875.

Jane Cussons, chief executive of WFTV, said: "Both Shreepali and Tammy have proved how this scheme provides an invaluable stepping-stone for women directors. The key industry relationships built and the technical and practical experience gained is invaluable in helping forge a route for women directors looking to break in to big budget features."