Leading post-production studio Residence Pictures announces the return of its Pixel Pathway industry training scheme, with applications for 2026 opening this week. The initiative continues its mission to make careers in post-production, design and VFX more accessible to people from marginalised and underrepresented communities.
Pixel Pathway is an industry-led training scheme that offers hands-on experience and technical training across key areas of post-production: colour grading, production, post-production, VFX and, newly added for 2026, design. Created by VFX, post-production and design experts, the scheme provides practical knowledge, expertise and training up to entry level standard under the guidance of industry specialists.
The programme will select six trainees through Residence Pictures’ outreach partners, helping uncover new talent from underrepresented communities. It will begin with six weeks of training followed by a seven-week paid work placement on live projects aligned to each participant’s chosen pathway – VFX, colour, design or production. Each strand is led by industry specialists within their respective fields.
Pixel Pathway is funded by Residence Pictures and Coffee & TV and represents a direct response to both the industry’s skills shortage and its ongoing DE&I challenges. By combining professional training with real-world experience, the programme enables participants to graduate at an entry-level standard, ready to contribute to the UK’s post-production sector.
The programme was initially developed in 2024 by Residence Pictures following extensive research and consultation with leading training initiatives. 60% of the cohort that completed the initial training scheme in 2024 moved into full-time roles within the industry.
Applications are open to those from underrepresented backgrounds for anyone aged over 18 with the right to work in the United Kingdom.
Cara Kotschy, Co-Founder at Residence Pictures says, “From its conception, Pixel Pathway has represented a direct response to the industry’s skills shortage and a desire to tackle the persistent diversity challenges head-on. While the post industry has evolved, there still aren’t enough doors open to many young people with a passion for this industry. Real experience, guidance and better access is what’s needed to give young talent the confidence to step into post-production careers they might have thought were out of reach. This programme is about creating those opportunities, nurturing potential, and helping a new generation of creatives not just enter the industry, but thrive within it. The aim isn’t just to improve access for one cohort, but to inspire this sort of change and use of resources in the wider industry to fix our skills and access gap.”
