‘Motherhood makes you a better creative, full stop.  You're engaging with childlike practice when you parent, and a way of looking at the world that expands your vision.’

In Meet the Mothers, we invite mothers and carers across the creative industries to share the realities of making work alongside raising families.

Producer and former BAFTA Committee Chair Anna Higgs shares why motherhood has sharpened her creative practice, the power of choosing where to direct your energy, and why the film and television industry has much more to do to support parents and carers.

Tell us a little about yourself! Who are you, what do you do, who do you care for?

I am a producer in high-end TV and film, and I have two sons aged 6 and 11. 

How has motherhood or caregiving influenced your practice?

Motherhood gives you a laser like focus that makes my very driven 20-something self look lazy!  You can't do it all, so the power of choosing where to direct your energy can be incredible.

What's something you wish more people understood about balancing motherhood and creativity/ work in your particular industry?

Motherhood makes you a better creative, full stop.  You're engaging with childlike practice when you parent, and a way of looking at the world that expands your vision.  Sure sometimes it's brutally hard, near impossible, but the fact that millions of us make it work shows how much dedication and determination you get from a caregiving team member or employee. 

What change/s would like to see in your industry that would make it more inclusive and accessible for those with caregiving responsibilities?

The team at Raising Films have been championing all the right things on this for years - more job sharing, shorter shooting days when in production, and an understanding that care giving isn't a barrier to great collaboration and contribution.

If you could give a piece of advice to pre-motherhood you, what would you tell yourself?

Spend more time alone, you'll miss it! And more seriously, be kind to yourself - having it all is impossible but choosing what are your priorities is really powerful. Part of that is accepting that time looking after you makes you a better parent when you're with the family. 

What are you working on at the moment, and where can people find your work?

We're deep in development on lots of amazing projects at Character 7, and are really proud to support the Open Submissions Festival at the Royal Court, and the Verity Bargate Award at the Soho Theatre - because emerging writing is where the stars of tomorrow come from. 

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

In the last couple of years I've learnt to DJ and it's brought me so much joy - finding a creative outlet free of expectations, and that you can connect with you family through, is phenomenal.  My kids now have an extensive knowledge of 90s and 00s music, plus I get to play their school events and we all have fun! 

Thank you Anna!