LADbible, Merman link up with non-profit British Arrows to find emerging creative talent

LADbible Group and Merman have teamed up with non-profit organisation British Arrows to launch a nationwide initiative to spotlight emerging creative talent with a new social-first film brief exploring what it means to call the UK home in 2026.

Lisa Lavender

Pitch Your Story invites students and junior creatives with up to three years’ industry experience to pitch a 60- to 120-second vertical film that explores and challenges definitions of British identity.

The winning idea will be developed and produced by Merman and LADbible Group, in partnership with the Race Equality Foundation, a national charity tackling racism in the UK. The deadline for entries is May 11. Full details are available here.

The selected filmmaker will have a budget of £15,000 (US$20,000) to be used on the production, alongside creative and mentoring support from Merman and LADbible. Post-production will be provided by OkayStudio, with sound from Runamok.

The finished film will be showcased across LADbible Group’s platforms and will receive a screening at the Young Arrows Awards this autumn.

Lisa Lavender, managing director at British Arrows, said: “This initiative goes to the heart of what the British Arrows and Young Arrows have always stood for: championing emerging talent and celebrating exceptional craft.”

Siobhan Murphy, partner, executive producer at Merman, said: “The Young Arrows initiative is an incredible opportunity for a young creative to see their vision brought to life, and we are thrilled to be able to support and be a part of it.

“More than ever, we need fresh talent to be given a voice in the UK, and right now seems like such a pivotal time to focus on what ‘identity’ means and how that is reflected in our communities. We’ll be looking for an idea that cuts through the noise and is original, engaging and deserving of the UK audience it will reach.”