Empower focusses on supporting female and non-binary filmmakers.

Former Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker is lending her star power to a short film fund. The project, titled Empower, aims to champion the work of female and non-binary filmmakers.

The Empower fund is a community-led project, backed by Primetime and the Bournemouth Film School, and was launched at the Cannes film market. It aims to remove the barriers that stop those without access to finance and star power breaking through. According to Variety, the fund will support the work of female and non-binary filmmakers, granting them access to a minimum of a £10,000 grant as well as other perks.

Jodie Whittaker will either voice or appear in the final film to help raise its profile. She’ll also collaborate with the filmmakers to help get them started with a character or an idea she would like to explore. The scheme will focus on accessibility and reaching filmmakers who might not traditionally put themselves forward for grant funding.

Primetime was originally launched by actor Victoria Emslie (Downton Abbey) at Cannes in 2019. Bournemouth Film School, at Arts University Bournemouth, has partnered with Primetime as part of its Funding Futures platform, which houses several funding schemes to support filmmakers, creatives, artists and innovators.

Jodie Whittaker said:

“Being a part of this exciting journey and having the opportunity to work with talented new voices and creatives is an absolute joy. I can’t wait to work alongside Victoria and the amazing teams at Primetime and Funding Futures.”

There will be more details when Bournemouth Film School hosts a Funding Futures showcase event at BFI Southbank on June 16th to unveil the Empower fund.

Jodie Whittaker

In the meantime, Whittaker has been announced as the narrator of the BBC’s festive animation Tabby McTat. It’s the latest in a long line of Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler adaptations to land on our Christmas TV screens.

She has also filmed the Paramount+ drama One Night in Australia and is taking a lead role in series two of Jimmy McGovern’s Time.

We’ll keep you posted.