Leo Anna Thomas biography 2024 - WellBeing Facilitator (WBF)
Leo Anna Thomas (they/them/she/her) has 22 years’ experience in the Art Department, 7 of which as a Standby Art Director.
Leo is the film & television industry's first WellBeing Facilitator (WBF), founding the role & co-developing as a co-director of 6ft from the spotlight from 2019 to 2024.
Leo is returning to #mentalhealthinfilm where it all began in 2017, focusing on areas of loss, grief and bereavement and is studying to become a Integrative Counsellor and an End of Life (Death) Doula and is focused on body work and where we hold trauma within.
Advocacy and awareness continues on Instagram @mentalhealthinfilm
Leo is a freelance WBF & continues with raising awareness with #mentalhealthinfilm, having not only lost two friends/colleagues in the industry to suicide during 2017-18, but has lived experience of being bullied at work – all of which led to the creation of WBF.
Leo has worked as WBF on The Fallen Divas Project (Hera/BBC), Promenade, This Way Up2 (Merman), The Peripheral (Amazon/Kilter Films) & BFI funded features Chuck Chuck Baby, Hoard, Layla, Stopmotion, In Heat, Goodbye Python, The Long Shadow (ITV), Steeltown Murders (BBC), Maryland (ITV), Death In Paradise (BBC), Industry 3 (HBO/BBC), Geek Girl (Netflix), The Way (BBC), Hard Truths, Mary & George (Sky).
Leo has mentored trainee WBF’s on BFI 2022 funded films, and across Welsh productions as part of a Creative Wales, Cult Cymru trial.
Leo has sat on many panels, sharing their story & advocating for mental health in film, such as BAFTA Connect Wellbeing, BFI Midlands, BFI Flare, BFI Flare roundtable/mentor, Cinegirl podcasts, Best Girl Grip podcasts, Series Fest (Denver USA), Digital Orchard panels, British Society of Cinematographers, Location Guide interview, Cinematographer magazine interview, Film and TV Charity Whole Picture toolkit, University Canterbury Christ, London Film School, MamaYouth so far.
Since 2021 Leo has dedicated time and energy in connecting with individuals across the globe, in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Czech Republic, to the further the development of WBF across the industry. And during 2024 has been forming a global alliance with these incredible humans advocating for change and working hard in their respective countries in film and television.
Leo is neurodivergent/dyslexic thinker who is a writer of prose, poetry and sketches in journals since they were 16, practices Vipassana meditation and is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Leo Anna Thomas (they/them/she/her) has 22 years’ experience in the Art Department, 7 of which as a Standby Art Director.
Leo is the film & television industry's first WellBeing Facilitator (WBF), founding the role & co-developing as a co-director of 6ft from the spotlight from 2019 to 2024.
Leo is returning to #mentalhealthinfilm where it all began in 2017, focusing on areas of loss, grief and bereavement and is studying to become a Integrative Counsellor and an End of Life (Death) Doula and is focused on body work and where we hold trauma within.
Advocacy and awareness continues on Instagram @mentalhealthinfilm
Leo is a freelance WBF & continues with raising awareness with #mentalhealthinfilm, having not only lost two friends/colleagues in the industry to suicide during 2017-18, but has lived experience of being bullied at work – all of which led to the creation of WBF.
Leo has worked as WBF on The Fallen Divas Project (Hera/BBC), Promenade, This Way Up2 (Merman), The Peripheral (Amazon/Kilter Films) & BFI funded features Chuck Chuck Baby, Hoard, Layla, Stopmotion, In Heat, Goodbye Python, The Long Shadow (ITV), Steeltown Murders (BBC), Maryland (ITV), Death In Paradise (BBC), Industry 3 (HBO/BBC), Geek Girl (Netflix), The Way (BBC), Hard Truths, Mary & George (Sky).
Leo has mentored trainee WBF’s on BFI 2022 funded films, and across Welsh productions as part of a Creative Wales, Cult Cymru trial.
Leo has sat on many panels, sharing their story & advocating for mental health in film, such as BAFTA Connect Wellbeing, BFI Midlands, BFI Flare, BFI Flare roundtable/mentor, Cinegirl podcasts, Best Girl Grip podcasts, Series Fest (Denver USA), Digital Orchard panels, British Society of Cinematographers, Location Guide interview, Cinematographer magazine interview, Film and TV Charity Whole Picture toolkit, University Canterbury Christ, London Film School, MamaYouth so far.
Since 2021 Leo has dedicated time and energy in connecting with individuals across the globe, in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Czech Republic, to the further the development of WBF across the industry. And during 2024 has been forming a global alliance with these incredible humans advocating for change and working hard in their respective countries in film and television.
Leo is neurodivergent/dyslexic thinker who is a writer of prose, poetry and sketches in journals since they were 16, practices Vipassana meditation and is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Leo Anna Thomas attended Ft2 (Film & Television Freelance Training) from January 2005 to January 2007. Leo specialised in the Art Department also undertaking Production Placements in Camera, Sound, Edit and Production, to better understand the film making process.