Lucy Meer, 29, got into the industry around six years ago when she became a producer's assistant to Sally Hibbin, who has worked on a number of films with director Ken Loach.

After a later stint with Warp Films in Sheffield, she set up her own outfit, the Hull-based Strive Films, in 2017.

Since then, projects she has produced include the Sky Arts comedy short Liam Williams' Valentine, the BAFTA long-listed National Film and Television School film Mary Anning, the BBC's Searching for Cowardice, and post-production is underway for Pop, a story about an ex-convict bonding with a boy.

The latter stars Stephen Graham, an actor who left a big impression on Mrs Meer in his role as troubled far-right aggressor Combo in the Screen Yorkshire-backed original This Is England feature, one of her favourite films.

Mrs Meer said: "Seeing somebody like him on set and how he works, you can see the years of experience and how good he is.

"He's so lovely. Him and his wife Hannah (Walters), she's been a brilliant support."

"It's a huge boost to see that this person believes in what you're doing."

Mrs Meer is now one of 12 people to be chosen to be part of the BFI Network Insight programme, a new professional development scheme, which is part of the organisation's investment of up to £2.5m of National Lottery funding in producers from all over the UK.

Screen Yorkshire, which is based in Leeds, is working with BFI Network on the full design and delivery of the scheme, led by its head of creative programmes, Caroline Cooper Charles.

Beneficiaries of programme - along with the distinct but complimentary Vision Awards, which has recognised Rebecca Mark-Lawson, of Tyke Films in Sheffield - are more than 35 per cent from outside London and the South East, over 70 per cent female or part of female producing duos, and over 35 per cent identify as underrepresented ethnicities.

It offers training and support for producers taking "serious steps" towards their debut feature and growing sustainable, creative companies.

Modules include project development, managing creative relationships, business planning and sustainability, business affairs, packaging and financing, co-production, and marketing and distribution – with environmental sustainability and inclusion woven into the content of every section.

Mrs Meer says that the scheme offers "invaluable" structured support and the opportunity to speak with a cohort of similar people.

"It's nice to have a bit of a stamp of approval from somewhere like the BFI," she said.

"It gives us a level of access that might be difficult. This industry is all about getting to know people."

She added: "I've always loved film. It's always been a huge part of my life and shaped my view of the world growing up."

Mrs Meer sees sticking in Yorkshire as a strength she can draw on - the industry is becoming increasingly organised regionally, with various support networks in place.

"To move away from that and move to London and be part of this bubble that is very inward-looking, that's frightened me a little bit," said Mrs Meer.

BFI lends support to Hull-based Strive Films and Yorkshire producer Lucy Meer