The Production Guild of Great Britain recently announced the finalists of the Duke of Edinburgh Film & TV Inclusion Award 2025. The initiative recognises and celebrates the inspirational work of individuals or organisations that help make the UK Film & TV industry more inclusive. The award will be presented by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at a live ceremony on Monday 24th March 2025 and is hosted in association with The Walt Disney Studios and supported by Sargent-Disc.
One of our five finalists is Katie Player, a Line Producer & Production Manager who has been a driving force in campaigning for and implementing accessible workplaces and sets in film and TV. She is one of the founders of the pressure group “Underlying Health Conditions” (UHC), a movement that aims to make the Film & TV industry more accessible by providing a blueprint for meaningful change. She also works as an Accessibility Consultant, guiding broadcasters and streamers to enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of their productions.
Furthermore, Katie sits on the BAFTA TV committee and has mentored countless young production staff, helping them to progress their film and TV careers. She constantly campaigns to inform the wider industry about issues relating to disabled representation, which has created a stronger awareness amongst companies, suppliers and individuals on how to make film & TV a fully accessible creative industry.
Katie told us about her personal experiences working in the Film & TV industry and which challenges she faced as a wheelchair user:
“Having worked my way up in an industry that has historically been inaccessible, I’ve dedicated much of my career to breaking down barriers for disabled talent, both in front of and behind the camera. One of my biggest challenges in the industry has been the difficulty of accessing certain sets, facility vehicles, and production offices. Navigating these spaces has often been tricky and as I was working my way up, I faced disappointing setbacks and exclusionary experiences. Those challenges are a big part of why I’m so passionate about driving change in the industry, I want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to do their best work without having to face such challenges. Through my own experiences, the UHC campaign, and my work as an Accessibility Consultant, I strive to create productions that are inclusive, accessible, and equitable for all. I truly feel that advocating for inclusive workplaces isn’t just a passion – it’s essential to ensuring that film and TV truly reflect the diversity of talent and audiences they serve.”
Katie is paving the way for future Film & TV professionals with a disability, by urging studios to make the necessary changes that will create more inclusive and accessible spaces within our industry.
