The Grierson Trust

a black and white photograph of John Grierson, wearing a suit and glasses, sitting in an office/library and looking away from the camera.

This Sunday marks 100 years since #JohnGrierson coined the term "documentary"

To celebrate, we'll be rolling out free programmes for freelancers, including CV surgeries, talent manager meetings, career clinics & masterclasses

Register for updates🔗 griersontrust.typeform.com/100YearsDocs

Sylvia Bednarz, Lorraine Heggessey and her daughter Leneke at the 2026 Broadcast Awards

Lorraine Heggessey on stage at the Broadcast Awards

We're thrilled that our former chair, Lorraine Heggessey has been honoured with special recognition from the Broadcast Awards for her contribution to documentary and television. It could not be more well deserved 🏆

Congratulations Lorraine!

www.broadcastnow.co.uk/winners/spec...

RTS Futures Careers Fair 2026 Meet major names like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, NBCUniversal, ILM, Global and more — all under one roof.

This time next week we'll be at the RTS Futures Careers Fair - come along to meet the team and learn more about our #GriersonDocLab training opportunities!

Get your tickets 🎟️ https://rts.org.uk/events/rts-futures-careers-fair-2026

Your documentary filmmaking career could start here 👇

#GriersonDocLab New Entrants offers training, paid placements, mentors and more to kick-start your journey in factual filmmaking 📽️

Find out more & apply by 19 Feb 🔗 https://ow.ly/y2hR50Y87hv

Supported by National Geographic

Will Hewitt was on the Editing training programme in 2022 and is the editor for BIRDS OF WAR.

Hannah Jayawardene was part of the 2021 cohort and attended for her work as additional editor on ANTIHEROINE.

#GriersonDocLab #GriersonDocLabEditing #Editing #Sundance #Festival #Documentary

We’re so proud that two of our Grierson DocLab: Editing alumni have been out at @sundance.org Festival in Park City – attending with their fellow film teams behind selections for the iconic festival’s programme.

a meeting with supporters of the training programme, Prime Video Pathway to reflect on the impact of the scheme so far.

A huge thank you to all of the team members and organisations who welcomed the trainees and shared their time and expertise with the group!

The group were also treated to a post-production talk and edit suite visit at Clear Cut Pictures (thank you as ever, Rowan Bray for your support!) to solidify their knowledge of post workflow, a visit to film restoration company R3Store Studios, and...

the group saw an incredible variety of carefully catalogued historical records and archive processes to enhance their knowledge of this crucial area of documentary filmmaking...

Last week our Archive Producer trainees were treated to tours, workshops and sessions with brilliant archives in and around London.

From the Imperial War Museum and Shutterstock through to the BFI National Film Archive...

Always loved documentaries? Want to work in the industry, but don’t know how to get started? 📺

#GriersonDocLab New Entrants could be for you.

Get training, placements, a mentor & more.

Learn more and apply by 19 February 🔗 bit.ly/4oR3a7x

Supported by National Geographic

A screenshot of trainees and Grierson staff on a zoom call.

Miss our #GriersonDocLab New Entrants webinar this week?

You can catch up on the recording now & read answers to questions from the session.

🔗https://griersontrust.org/about-us/news/2026-gdlne-webinar-recording/

A picture of three trainees in the corner, Grierson DocLab: New Entrants with National Geographic logo. Text reads: Ask Our Alumni. Monday 19 January, 6pm Zoom. Join us to find out more about Grierson DocLab: New Entrants. Hear from trainees who completed the programme last year, meet the Grierson team and bring your questions about applying.

Want to know more about our #GriersonDocLab New Entrants training?

Join us Mon 19 Jan, 6pm to meet the team & trainees from last year. Bring your questions for the group!

Register 🔗 https://bit.ly/GDLNE26Zoom Closed Captions included.

A group shot of the trainees and Grierson team outside.

Late last year the #ArchiveProducer trainees were fully inducted into the #GriersonDocLab network, completing their training and coming along to the Grierson Awards ceremony ✨

Read all about their experience of the programme so far 🔗
https://ow.ly/zRAZ50XSxU7

Photo of trainee Ollie stood in front of documentary film posters and Candour Productions pink and purple logo.

#GriersonDocLab New Entrants trainee Ollie took part in the programme in 2025 & completed his placement at Candour where he's still working now!

Find out more about his experience https://griersontrust.org/about-us/news/ollie-2025-blog/

The 2026 scheme is now open for applications. Deadline 19 Feb

What are you waiting for? Get applying!

Deadline is 5pm on Thursday 19 February 2026.

Read the outline, plus the guidance and FAQs document before submitting your application. All info here ➡️ bit.ly/4oYMrzb

Grierson DocLab New Entrants 2026 GriersonDoclabNewEntrantsNatGeo_Reversed.png Applications Now Open Grierson DocLab: New Entrants is supported by Headline Industry Sponsor, National Geographic, plus Industry Supporter, Banijay UK a...

More information, guidance, and FAQs can be found on our website ➡️ bit.ly/4oYMrzb

(Inc. larger text guidance and #EasyRead documents)

Any questions/requests for different #Access needs, email training@griersontrust.org or call +44 (0)1462 618 479

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Grierson DocLab: New Entrants 2026 Discovery Webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Grierson DocLab: New Entrants 2026 Discovery Webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

To find out more about the programme, meet the team and some people who have been on the training programme in recent years, register for our webinar bit.ly/GDLNE26Zoom

Mon 19 January from 6pm.

Closed captions will be included.

If you’re from a #WorkingClass background, the #LGBTQ+ community, are #Disabled, from an #GlobalMajority group or from #OutsideLondon we especially welcome your application 💫

This list isn’t exhaustive & you’ll get the chance when applying to explain why you should be chosen

You don’t need to have studied media, film or TV to be eligible – but a demonstrable passion for all things docs & factual TV is crucial!

We also welcome applications from people currently under-represented in the TV industry 📺

We’re looking for applicants interested in exploring a variety of roles, who have...

👀 fresh perspectives
💡creative ideas &
💪 a positive, can-do attitude towards the pursuing a career in factual filmmaking

Green and white graphic background, text reads: Love Docs? If you love documentaries, have always wanted to work in TV, but don’t know where to start, Grierson DocLab: New Entrants could be for you. Find out more and apply by 19 Feb griersontrust.org/grierson-doclab. The Grierson DocLab: New Entrants logo in association with National Geographic is in the top corner.

#GriersonDocLab applications are open! 📹 with support from National Geographic and Banijay UK

If you're aged 18-25, UK-based, love all things #Documentary & #FactualTV and want to work in the industry, then we'd love to hear from you.

Deadline 19 Feb bit.ly/4oR3a7x

Grierson DocLab trainees stood in front of the Grierson Awards press boards

Grierson DocLab trainees stood in front of the Grierson Awards press boards

Grierson DocLab trainees stood in front of the Grierson Awards press boards

November was a packed month for our #GriersonDocLab #NewEntrants #ArchiveProducer & #Development trainees who made the most of the autumn networking opportunities generously offered by our industry supporters.

Huge thanks to all of our partners for generously supporting DocLab💙

Yesterday we celebrated our recent Grierson DocLab: New Entrant cohorts with a special industry luncheon.

Colleagues from across the documentary industry, Grierson Trustees & New Entrant groups gathered to network and commemorate the trainees’ progress so far on the programme 💙

The director of the Best Single Documentary – Domestic winner, Elizabeth Sankey had some beautiful words to share about the power of vulnerability amongst the documentary filmmaking community.

Congratulations to Elizabeth and the team for Witches being crowned winner.

The first editor to take home the Grierson Trustees’ Award – Rupert Houseman 🌟

Hear Rupert's speech about how vital it is for humans to tell human stories, to being excited about the future of docs, even despite the current challenges.

Nearly a week on from the 2025 #GriersonAwards, and we’re reliving some of the magic 💫

Mina Smallman, mother of Bibaa and Nicole had some powerful words for the documentary makers in the room about continuing to tell important stories.

The 2025 #GriersonAwards official photographs are here 📬

Take a look at winner portraits plus snaps of nominees, guests, presenters and more here 🔗 https://bit.ly/4po4r6S

📸 Credits: Victor Frankowski & Mike Massaro

Alt text: A dark background with a collection of white logos: All3Media, BBC, Bleeding Fingers, Broadcast International, Envy, Channel 4, Netflix, Sky Documentaries, Televisual, Audio Network, British Council, The Farm, RealScreen, and Sargent-Disc.

Thank you to our headline sponsors
All3Media and to all our sponsors and supporters

See the full list of winners: griersontrust.org/about-us/new...

A photo of the team behind Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park, winner of the Grierson Award for Best Crime and Justice Documentary and Best Documentary Series.

Congratulations to all of the #GriersonAward winners on Tuesday evening 🌟

Thank you to our host Rachel Parris for expertly leading the proceedings and to the Roundhouse for providing a beautiful environment to celebrate the wonderful nominated and winning documentaries 🙏