Independent Cinema Office, the U.K.’s national organization for the development and support of international film, is teaming up with “strategic skills body” Creative Skillset with the aim of getting more women into top management positions in the male-dominated exhibition side of film.

U.K.-based women with five years or more experience in a management role in film exhibition are eligible for the six-month training program, which will feature one-on-one coaching, shadow placements, mentoring and workshops designed to improve participants’ skills and expertise.

Mentors for the Women’s Leadership Program include BAFTA CEO Amanda Berry, BFI CEO Amanda Nevill and British Council director of film Briony Hanson.

“Creative Skillset’s last census showed that women occupy only 4% of CEO and director-level roles in film exhibition,” said ICO director and program mentor Catharine Des Forges. “We often see women doing amazing work and being major contributors to growth and organizational change, but often that fails to translate into ascendance to the peak roles. This scheme will provide a toolkit to overcome the roadblocks that we hope will shift the disparity in representation.”

BAFTA chief Berry commented, “I’m delighted to be able to have the opportunity to share my own experiences with future industry leaders. My fellow mentors have made major contributions to the creative industry, but the statistics prove that they’re the exception, not the rule. This important scheme offers women the support they need whilst encouraging them to aim for the very top.”

The course will run from November 2015 to May 2016. The deadline to apply is October 19. For more information on how to apply, visit the ICO’s site.

[via ScreenDaily]