MEDIA
Future
Mapping Mentorship in East London
Welcome to Media Future, your gateway to discovering free mentorships and career opportunities in East London's vibrant creative ecosystem.
If you’re passionate about media but worried about the cost or access, don’t worry—most of the programs here are completely free and designed to support creative talent, offering guidance, support, and real opportunities to break into the media world. Whether you're aspiring to become a filmmaker, digital artist, or media entrepreneur, explore our Interactive Map to discover incredible opportunities across East London's four dynamic boroughs.
Media Mentorship Map
Top Mentorship Programs by Borough
Top Mentorship Programs by Borough
*Available schemes at the time of production of website
Top Mentorship Programs
by Borough
These standout programs, selected through interviews and local insights, highlight some of the best opportunities for young creatives.
Tower Hamlets
Arebyte Gallery breaks traditional boundaries by focusing on cutting-edge technologies like AI, VR, AR, and CGI, making it a hub for digital art and innovation. Through hands-on mentorship, emerging artists not only learn how to curate exhibitions but also tap into a vibrant network of over 330 artists, makers, and designers. This forward-thinking gallery is leading the way in reshaping the future of art and collaboration in East and South London.
Newham
Good Growth Hub is committed to empowering disadvantaged young people and breaking down the barriers that often exist in the media industry—especially for those without higher education degrees or from underrepresented communities. Through mentorship, training, and paid roles, they help individuals turn their ambitions into reality, while working to eliminate bias in the media industry. Their goal? To build a more diverse and vibrant media industry for the future.
Hackney
Hackney Wick and Fish Island Zone, The zone is supporting the development of local freelancers with targeted business support programmes and increased opportunities for makers via new markets.Hackney Wick and Fish Island was the only zone to identify a community partner from the outset, bringing community and cultural organisations together to work towards common aims.
Waltham Forest
E17 is a grassroots initiative with strong ties to the local community, offering young filmmakers a valuable space to grow.
What makes this program special? It's not just about mentorship—participants have the opportunity to network with industry leaders, host their own film festivals, and engage deeply with the Waltham Forest community. Many of their projects and documentaries are shaped by local stories and people, bringing the spirit of the borough to life on screen.
Waltham Forest
At the Creative Industries Hub in Waltham Forest, success stories don’t just stop at gaining new media related skills—they often involve life-changing experiences. Take the case of a young transgender participant who overcame discrimination and personal challenges to land a job as a theatre technician.
What’s more, many of those who are mentored go on to mentor others, creating a ripple effect where minorities uplift and support one another within the community.
Newham
Good Growth Hub is committed to empowering disadvantaged young people and breaking down the barriers that often exist in the media industry—especially for those without higher education degrees or from underrepresented communities. Through mentorship, training, and paid roles, they help individuals turn their ambitions into reality, while working to eliminate bias in the media industry. Their goal? To build a more diverse and vibrant media industry for the future.
Tower Hamlets
Arebyte Gallery breaks traditional boundaries by focusing on cutting-edge technologies like AI, VR, AR, and CGI, making it a hub for digital art and innovation. Through hands-on mentorship, emerging artists not only learn how to curate exhibitions but also tap into a vibrant network of over 330 artists, makers, and designers. This forward-thinking gallery is leading the way in reshaping the future of art and collaboration in East and South London.
Hackney
Hackney Wick and Fish Island Zone, The zone is supporting the development of local freelancers with targeted business support programmes and increased opportunities for makers via new markets.Hackney Wick and Fish Island was the only zone to identify a community partner from the outset, bringing community and cultural organisations together to work towards common aims.
Waltham Forest
E17 is a grassroots initiative with strong ties to the local community, offering young filmmakers a valuable space to grow.
What makes this program special? It's not just about mentorship—participants have the opportunity to network with industry leaders, host their own film festivals, and engage deeply with the Waltham Forest community. Many of their projects and documentaries are shaped by local stories and people, bringing the spirit of the borough to life on screen.
Waltham Forest
At the Creative Industries Hub in Waltham Forest, success stories don’t just stop at gaining new media related skills—they often involve life-changing experiences. Take the case of a young transgender participant who overcame discrimination and personal challenges to land a job as a theatre technician.
What’s more, many of those who are mentored go on to mentor others, creating a ripple effect where minorities uplift and support one another within the community.
Media Future is based on thorough research into the media mentorship landscape in the boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and Waltham Forest. Our findings underscore the vital role of mentorship in bridging the gap between education and the media industry, fostering inclusivity, and nurturing emerging talent. Additionally, we identify several challenges that mentorship programs face and propose actionable solutions to enhance their effectiveness.
For a more in-depth exploration of our research, click the button below to access the full report.