EXCLUSIVE: HanWay Films’ Katie Ellen and Premier’s Angela Smith are joining the UK’s BBC Film as head of film finance and head of communications, respectively.
Ellen takes up the newly-created role later this month, moving from UK sales outfit HanWay Films, where she has been head of production since 2023. She previously held the post of head of distribution and commercial strategy at the British Film Institute (BFI). Her role includes some of the responsibilities of Michael Wood, who was head of finance at BBC Film until the summer and is now working as a consultant.
Smith is joining BBC Film in February 2026. She is presently managing director of filmed entertainment at UK PR company Premier Communications and an executive board member, and was previously director of awards at Premier.
She takes over from Emma Hewitt, who is now director of corporate affairs at the UK’s Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA).
Additionally, Radha Bhandari has joined the team as a development executive, working closely with existing development executive Anu Henriques across the feature and short film slate. Bhandari previously worked at UK production company Public Dreams and took part in BBC Film’s associate producer scheme in 2022.
Kristin Irving, who joined BBC Film as a commissioner in 2022, has been promoted to senior commissioning executive. Alice Ojha, who has been at BBC Film since 2021, has been promoted to commissioning executive from development executive. Both lead on projects across the slate as executive producers.
Claudia Yusef, previously commissioning executive, has left BBC Film and is now building a slate as an independent producer.
“I’m delighted to be joining Eva and her fabulous team at BBC Film as head of film finance, at a point when their unwavering support of bold British filmmakers is being celebrated with significant creative and commercial success,” said Ellen. “I’m looking forward to help shape an even more ambitious next chapter, collaborating across the industry and bringing to bear my experience in, and passion for, the production and distribution of independent cinema.”
BBC Film’s slate includes Aneil Karia’s Hamlet, Clio Barnard’s I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, Shane Meadows’ Chork, Raine Allen Miller’s The Roots Manoeuvre, and Ruben Ostlund’s The Entertainment System Is Down. BBC Film-backed features won nine British Independent Film Awards (Bifas) across six films at the 2025 ceremony, for Pillion, My Father’s Shadow, Ish, Lollipop, Harvest and Sentimental Value, and three Gotham Award wins across My Father’s Shadow and Pillion.
“It’s long been my passion to help audiences, both consumers and industry, to discover new cinematic storytelling,” added Smith. “The opportunity to contribute to the important work being done by BBC Film and to help shine a spotlight on the brilliance of newly discovered talents alongside exciting new works by master filmmakers was, quite simply, irresistible.”
Director of BBC Film Eva Yates said: “2025 has been exceptional for BBC Film and the many incredible filmmaking teams that we have worked with. What better way to end that year than by welcoming Katie and Angela as two brilliant and highly experienced senior members of the team. I’m also delighted to be able to reward the wonderful creative work of Kristin Irving and Alice Ojha, and to welcome our newest executive, Radha Bhandari, into the fold. With a team and slate this good, bring on 2026.”
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