The cohort, along with Grierson DocLab Alumni, began on Tuesday 5 November with a networking morning at BBC Studios. Various talent managers from the company attended, giving trainees more information around opportunities available at BBC Studios, the kind of documentaries they’ve been making lately and how each trainee might fit into the organisation. Grierson Doclab Alumni Eloise Millard and Hannah Ramezani, who both work at BBC Studios, gave a talk all about their experience working on different productions; from the Grierson Award-winning Inside Our Autistic Minds to an upcoming docu-drama title.

The group then made their way to Fremantle, where the New Entrants were treated to a talk from Group Head of DE&I, Babita Bahal and Head of Talent, Victoria Roye. They spoke about the importance of maintaining relationships and networks, the kind of shows Fremantle produce and the different labels that sit under the Fremantle umbrella label.

Martha Slater, New Entrant trainee:

"Grierson DocLab has changed my life! I am now working in my dream job and feel so supported by the wider alumni community. I feel confident about being able to navigate this industry and that's all thanks to the wonderful Grierson Team."

The day of the awards ceremony, the New Entrants group headed to Blast! Films for a meet and greet with numerous team members who talked though their latest slate, pitching to broadcasters and streamers and much more.

After a short break, the trainees then received a talk from the DART Centre for Journalism and Trauma. The session explored issues with interview best practices, ethical considerations for dealing with sensitive content with contributors and further information about resources available to filmmakers.

Then, it was off to get ready for the awards! The trainees were primed to put their put their newly-flexed networking muscles to work in a room full of nominated and winning filmmakers, plus Grierson Trustees, Patrons and more.

Alice Stewart, New Entrant trainee:

"I still can’t believe how genuinely friendly Louis Theroux, Stacey Dooley, Mobeen Azhar and Layla Wright were. They’re all some of my biggest doc inspirations and thanks to Grierson I got to hear meaningful career advice directly from them that I’ll never forget (as well as asking some cheeky burning questions about their recent projects)."

Tawana Gandiyah, New Entrant trainee:

"It was incredible to be able to chat to the nominees and amazing filmmakers at the Grierson Awards! Alongside helpful insights from industry professionals throughout the week, I feel very inspired to take the next steps in my career!"

The New Entrant group may have lived it up at the awards ceremony, but their foray into the world of London-based documentary was far from over. Thursday 7 November saw the cohort head to Banijay UK offices to meet with Creative Director, Patrick Holland, as well as execs from various Banijay-owned labels.

The trainees paid a visit to Channel 4, where they were treated to a meet and greet with the great and good of Channel 4 commissioners, including: Alisa Pomeroy - Head of Documentaries & Factual Entertainment, Jo Potts - Commissioning Editor, Dispatches, Louisa Compton - Head of News and Current Affairs & Specialist Factual & Sport, Sacha Mirzoeff - Senior Commissioning Editor & Head of Bristol Hub, and JanineThomas - Commissioning Editor Current Affairs for Untold.

Alice Stewart, New Entrant trainee:

"One of my favourite parts about this week was how much we got to cover in such a short timespan. We whizzed around meeting Channel 4 commissioners, getting sneak peaks at upcoming BBC Studios docs, met inspiring filmmakers at the awards and received fascinating trauma and legal compliance training."

Rounding off the day, Creators Council delivered a session to the trainees all about issues around legal and compliance, helping to uphold the very best practise across the documentary industry for New Entrants and beyond.

The Grierson Trust would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our industry partners and colleagues who gave up their time and their office space to contribute to consolidating and strengthening the training our group receives. The trainees are now more ready than ever to seize the placement, mentoring and networking opportunities to get their factual careers off to the strongest start possible.

Lena Elghamry, New Entrant trainee:

"This experience took me from a journalism graduate unsure of what’s next, to a well-equipped and excited individual ready to take on the unscripted and doc world! The mentorship and experiences have been invaluable, and genuinely don’t know how else I would’ve made it to this point so soon, without the help of the Grierson trust."