PGGB recently announced the five finalists of the Duke of Edinburgh Film & TV Inclusion Award 2025. The initiative recognises 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 the producer and creative entrepreneur Natalie Edward-Yesufu, whose work exemplifies a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the empowerment of storytellers. Natalie founded the film and events company Transition Stage Company as well as the annual screenwriting and playwriting competitions Enter.Stage.Write and Amplified. While Enter.Stage.Write is a more general competition for 10-minute scripts, Amplified specifically focuses on 10-minute comedy scripts written by Black, Asian, and ethnic minority writers in the UK. Both competitions aim to support and celebrate writers, as well as open doors for them. The competitions culminate in a gala where the finalists see their work performed on stage or screen by established actors.
Natalie has also directly supported hundreds of writers through other initiatives such as StoryTown – Ideas You Own, an intellectual property conference held in Birmingham: “I’ve championed and platformed hundreds of writers from different backgrounds, connecting them with commissioners, producers, and broadcast executives – helping some secure funding and commissions from major broadcasters like Channel 4,” Natalie mentions.
While discussing what is driving her to make this industry more inclusive, Natalie told us about how she started in the industry and the challenges she has faced:
''Breaking into the entertainment industry as a woman of colour from Birmingham and the West Midlands was incredibly challenging. Despite my qualifications, accreditations, and work experience, I couldn’t get a job in broadcast or TV – and it was painful. You’re taught that hard work and education open doors, but for me, they didn’t. I found myself constantly on the outside looking in, which took a real toll on my mental health. My first break came when I produced an award-nominated feature film in Newcastle. Yet, even with that success, steady work was still out of reach. Determined, I saved every penny and moved to New York to study film, hoping the experience would unlock opportunities back home. But when I returned to Birmingham, I was shocked – the West Midlands contributes over 35% of the TV licence fee, yet there was little investment in local productions and minimal creative opportunities in my own hometown. That’s when I realised – if I couldn’t get the job I wanted, I had to create it. I became an entrepreneur, not just for myself but for others like me. When an opportunity opened at NatWest Bank, I pitched my idea, and Transition Stage Company was born – a film and events company dedicated to platforming underrepresented writers, connecting them to broadcasters, and monetising new IP. But it’s never been just about me. For me, it’s about more than breaking into the industry – it’s about building new doors for others to walk through,'' Natalie says.
Accordingly, Natalie is a firm advocate for the government and broadcasters investing in those regions: “I’ve campaigned for greater production investment in Birmingham, the West Midlands, and other regions – pushing the industry to recognise the talent and potential beyond London.”
Talking about her ambition to bring more underrepresented voices into television, Natalie says: “For me, inclusion isn’t a buzzword – it’s about unlocking untapped storytelling talent. When you give people a platform, they don’t just step up – they soar. My mission is to empower creatives to carve their own paths, spark opportunities, and push broadcasters and gatekeepers to invest in this talent – with the ultimate goal of monetising new IP and creating jobs."
