Skillset's Film Futures bursary scheme is the organisation's only programme where the money goes directly to the individual. The scheme was introduced to allow targeted grades and fields to attend short courses, masterclasses and conferences in priority areas such as business skills, new technologies and health and safety.

Bursaries are available to both freelances (up to £800) and permanent employees (up to £500) with a minimum of two years‚ professional experience in the industry and cover a proportion of fees, travel and accommodation costs.

First time feature producer Rebekah Gilbertson received a bursary from the scheme to attend the Screen International UK Film Finance Summit in October 2005.

Gilbertson began her filmmaking career as a recipient of a NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) Fellowship, as part of which she co-produced two short films promoting sustainable development.

"Making those first short films proved a great learning curve," says Gilbertson. "Although I was lucky enough to be able to surround myself with people with a huge amount of knowledge and experience, what I quickly realised was that I needed to go and learn my craft. So I applied to the National Film and Television School (NFTS) to do the two-year producing course. It was absolutely brilliant."

With a further batch of short films under her belt, she left the school determined to pursue a career as a producer, initially making shorts with a number of independent production companies which included producing a new version of one of her own NFTS films for Channel 4.

Attending the UK Film Finance Summit last year couldn't have come at a better time for the upcoming producer who was then attempting to make the difficult leap from shorts to features. The conference is an annual event which debates changes in legislation, looks at new and emerging sources of revenues and predicts future growth strategies for the UK production industry.

"Whilst you're financing a project, it's crucial to have your finger on the pulse and to be aware of any and all possibilities," she says. "What was brilliant about that event was that you had lots of vastly experienced people from different parts of the industry all talking about current issues. At that time the key debate was the replacement for Sections 42 and 48 and what the new tax credit might be."

All NFTS producing students have to bring a text to the school that they want to adapt as a feature film. Gilbertson's was The Best Times of Our Lives, which tells the story of the tangled relationship between the poet Dylan Thomas, his wife Caitlin, his childhood friend Vera Phillips, and her future husband William Killick. The screenplay was written by Sharman Macdonald.

The film goes into production as her first feature next year, directed by John Maybury and starring Keira Knightley as Vera.

"In this industry there is always more to discover," says Gilbertson, "and to learn from people with a wealth of experience is ... well, it's invaluable. My first feature has already been a five-year journey. Skillset's support has been a part of that. It was fantastic that, through the Film Futures scheme, Skillset was able to give me and others the opportunity to keep learning."