Founded in 2018, We Are Bridge began as an aftercare programme for the cast of ROCKS, by a collective of the filmmakers behind the film.
Since then, WAB has evolved into a wider serving industry body committed to ensuring the legacy of new and emerging talent.
We primarily support underrepresented screen talent in Film & TV who have entered the industry via street casting or alternative pathways.
Our presence offers a supportive hand - from their first major credit in a lead or supporting lead role towards a lasting, sustainable career. We do this through our flagship talent development & aftercare programme, Sustain; on-set cast welfare packages; production consultancy; industry partnerships and training workshops.
Our core team of directors & the wider group of co-founders - Anu Henriques, Theresa Ikoko, Lucy Pardee & Malinda Kaur - continue to exist as powerhouses, creating work that is as award-winning as it is conscientious of those same goals.
We work collaboratively alongside agents and industry stakeholders to support new talent. Our values are rooted in the practice of: ‘it takes a village’.
Our Team
Axa Hynes
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Axa has consistently worked towards improving positive representation in the creative industries. Her work is focused on empowerment through arts engagement and has led the Education & Learning departments at Platform Youth Hub, the Kiln, National Theatre, Young Vic and Talawa. She now specialises in talent development supporting the transition into sustainable careers within film, TV & theatre. Axa is also Director of Access and Participation at the drama school RADA and is on the board for the Unicorn Theatre and Uproot Productions.
Her role at Bridge is to oversee the organisational strategy along with the various programmes and partnerships.
Jessica Straker
Co-Founder & Creative Director/Operations
Jessica is a casting director, writer and producer. Her work includes BAFTA-winning projects ROCKS, SMALL AXE & upcoming TV series GRIME KIDS. Her work specialises in community-focused advocacy and authentic representation. She is currently developing a TV series & feature film alongside her recent appointment as associate board member to the radical arts organisation & festival, Abandon Normal Devices.
At Bridge, she manages the operational and business aspects of things - from accounts, marketing, systems and everything in between.
Warda Mohamed
Co-Founder & Special Projects Director
Warda is a BIFA-nominated writer-director. She began her career as production assistant on ROCKS, where she consulted on the elements of Somali representation within the film. Since then she has worked with Nira Park & the Complete Fiction team, as the assistant to Roger Michell on THE DUKE, and in the AD team on Edgar Wright’s latest – LAST NIGHT IN SOHO.
Her debut narrative short, MUNA, premiered at London Film Festival was nominated for a BIFA & Critics’ Choice Award before heading to the prestigious Berlinale. She’s currently developing her debut feature, MOON.
She focuses on the welfare of our cohorts and curating the schedule and resources for the Sustain programme.
Claire Wilson
Co-Founder & Special Projects Director
Claire is a BAFTA-nominated screenwriter with a diploma from Vancouver Film School. She wrote multiple episodes and executive produced on shows such as GANGS OF LONDON, THE POWER & was co-writer of ROCKS.
Currently, Claire is developing serveral TV commissions with Netflix, Wiip and See-Saw Films. She is attached to direct her first feature in development with House Productions and BBC.
Claire manages our London office and oversees programming of collaborations, one-off events and industry partnerships.
Jess Pentney
Programme Manager
Jess is an actor and writer from London, currently developing her play Tramp. , and next projects LOVE BITE, and Halle Berry: Bond Girl . Jess trained on the Screen Acting MA at Central. In 2022 Jess co-produced Here Is Good and Here Is Good 2.0 for the Bush Theatre Studio.
Jess previously worked at the Bush Theatre as Theatre Administrator & PA, and Events Producer. She was the Graduate Engagement Coordinator at RADA and with Black Apron Entertainment as a Freelance Production Administrator.
Jess connects all the dots between our cohort programmes, industry sessions and partnerships.