EXCLUSIVE: Emma Hewitt, communications lead at BBC Film, is joining the UK’s Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) as director of corporate affairs.
Hewitt will lead CIISA’s strategic communications and public affairs activities. She takes up the role later this month.
CIISA, an industry-funded body, launched its first standards framework in February, and has a mission to prevent and tackle bullying, harassment and discriminatory workplace behaviour in the creative industries, across screen, music and theatre.
“Emma will play a pivotal role in the next stage of CIISA’s development as we prepare to launch our services and broaden our engagement and awareness across the creative sectors,” said Jen Smith, CEO of CIISA. “I personally, the board and whole team very much look forward to working with her.”
Hewitt has been communications lead for BBC Film since 2018. She is also co-chair of Bifa’s advisory committee. Prior to BBC Film, Hewitt was deputy head of press and PR at the BFI and began her career at regional screen agency EM Media.
Former Premier PR exec Claire Gascoyne, who job-shared with Hewitt at BBC Film from 2024-2025, has rejoined the BBC Film team temporarily.
“CIISA is about protecting the people who power the UK’s extraordinary creative industries, enabling them to create their best work and the industries to grow and thrive – the opportunity to help build this groundbreaking organisation and its important work is hugely exciting,” said Hewitt.
”I can’t wait to join Jen, her team and CIISA’s exceptional board for this next phase. Thank you to Eva [Yates] and all my outstanding colleagues at the BBC for making the last six years such an inspiring and thrilling ride.”
Eva Yates, director of BBC Film added: “I’d like to thank Emma for the truly brilliant work she has done to build BBC Film and advocate so passionately for British independent film over the past six years. She leaves us in a strong place and I know she will be an impressive and dynamic force in the important work she will be undertaking in her new role at CIISA.”
Four BBC Film-backed features played this year at Cannes, each receiving jury awards. Akinola Davies Jr’s My Father’s Shadow received the Camera d’Or special mention; Harry Lighton’s PIllion was named best screenplay in Un Certain Regard and Harris Dickinson’s debut Urchin took the best actor award for its lead Frank Dillane, with the film also receiving the Fipresci prize; and Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value took the Grand Prix award in Competition.