Women in Film and TV (UK) launched its 2026 Four Nations Mentoring Scheme earlier this year.  Designed for mid-career women working in film, television, and creative media, the scheme offers unparalleled opportunities to accelerate careers in an industry where women remain underrepresented in leadership roles. Screen Yorkshire recently had a chat with this year’s mentees from Yorkshire.

Based in Sheffield, Kate O’Hara has spent nearly two decades working across scripted television and feature film, building a career dedicated to developing talent and bringing stories to life. As a Development Consultant and experienced Head of Development, she has worked with writers, production companies, and funders across the UK to nurture projects from idea to screen.

Now part of the Women in Film and Television Four Nations Mentoring Scheme North of England cohort, Kate is taking time to reflect on her career, reconnect with other areas of the industry, and map out her next steps.

We spoke to Kate about her journey into the industry, her work in Yorkshire, and what the programme has meant to her so far.

Briefly introduce yourself and your current role in the screen industry

Based in Sheffield, I’m an experienced Head of Development and Development Consultant working across scripted TV drama and feature films.

I’ve worked for over eighteen years with both new and established talent, production companies, and funding bodies to help nurture, grow, and support writers and stories across TV and film.

I’m currently working as a Development Consultant with Sheffield-based Tyke Films, headed up by Rebecca Mark-Lawson. I’m also Head of Development at Riot Time Pictures in Cardiff, where I’m building a slate of TV and film projects with Executive Producers Adam Knopf and Lee Haven Jones.

How did you make your start in the industry?

I studied Drama at the University of Bristol, graduating in 2005, but I didn’t really have any idea about the different roles available in the industry.

I moved to Sheffield and was lucky to get a job as an Admin and Office Manager at Lifesize Pictures. The company managed the UK Film Council’s short film programmes, and I worked there for a couple of years, gaining experience in script editing and working across short film projects with filmmakers from across the UK.

What productions have you worked on in Yorkshire?

After Lifesize Pictures, I went on to work on iFeatures, a low-budget feature film development lab funded by Creative England, the BFI, and BBC Films. Through this, I worked with filmmakers from across the UK, developing regional stories with international appeal.

One project I’m particularly proud to have played a part in is God’s Own Country by Francis Lee, which was developed through the lab and shot in Yorkshire.

After iFeatures, I became Head of Development at Leeds-based Duck Soup Films. During that time, one of our TV projects, Dreamers, was shot in Leeds and later broadcast on Channel 4.

Any key memories from working on these productions?

Working on God’s Own Country stands out as a real highlight. It’s always special to see a project develop from an early stage and go on to have such a strong impact. Being part of that journey was something I’m very proud of.

More broadly, working across regional projects and seeing stories rooted in Yorkshire reach wider audiences has always been a really rewarding part of my career.

What drew you to apply for WFTV?

Sadly, I was made redundant last year, and around the same time I saw applications open for the WFTV mentoring programme. It couldn’t have come at a better time as I was trying to work out my next step within the industry.

I’ve spent most of my career on the other side of programmes like this, supporting others, so it felt like the right moment to pause and reflect on my own career in a supportive and nurturing environment.

I’d also been working from home a lot and was feeling slightly disconnected, so I wanted the opportunity to be part of a wider cohort again.

What do you hope to achieve from the programme?

I’ve already gained so much from the programme. I’ve connected with some amazing women from all walks of life and learned a huge amount.

I’m being mentored by Emily Feller, Chief Creative Officer at Warp Films, which has been brilliant in helping me focus on my career goals.

By the end of the programme, I hope to have built on that further, expanded my network, and developed a much clearer plan for my career going forward.

WFTV will be launching their next Four Nations Mentoring Scheme very soon so if you’re interested in the programme look out for application details on their website and socials