Women in Film and Television (WFTV) and United International Pictures (UIP) have named Tammy Riley-Smith as the second director to benefit from the UK scheme Directing Change.

Launched in May 2003, Directing Change gives women directors the opportunity to work alongside an experienced and internationally recognised feature film director during a major production.

Riley-Smith, a London based writer/director with more than 11 years experience in directing and writing scripts for films, will work alongside the John Madden, on Proof, an adaptation of David Auburn's recent theatre success.

The feature, which will star Anthony Hopkins, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jake Gyllenhaal, begins filming in late September in London and Chicago. During her placement, Riley-Smith will receive financial assistance from Directing Change to cover expenses.

Directing Change is part of a WFTV campaign to address the under-representation of women directors. The limited opportunity for women in directing, often referred to as the 'celluloid ceiling', has seen women direct just eight of a total of 350 features produced in the UK over the past two years.

Shreepali Patel, the first beneficiary of Directing Change in August 2003, worked alongside Roger Michell on upcoming Pathe feature Enduring Love.