Young, creative and seriously into film? Training for People Aged 16 - 19

27th June 2014

Screen Education Edinburgh is seeking young people aged 16 to 19 in Scotland with a love of film to take part in the first ever BFI Film Academy Scotland Residential on the 2nd to 9th August 2014.

An intensive eight day course, young people will be given the low down on the world of Scottish film, with hands on training, production, advice and master classes. A unique programme for participants, they will develop key skills in areas such as directing, acting, camera, writing and editing. Those taking part will also learn about the wider world of film, from development to finance to festivals, and will be given key advice and support towards a future career.

Working with key on and off screen talent from films such as The Angels' Share, Under the Skin, Not Another Happy Ending and Sunshine on Leith, TV dramas such as Skins, Shoebox Zoo and Shetland, film festivals Edinburgh International Film Festival and Glasgow Short Film Festival, film development agency Creative Scotland and educational institution Screen Academy Scotland, young people taking part will learn from some of the best in the business.

Participants will also put their learning into practice, collaborating over the eight days to write, shoot and edit three short films, supported by SEE's award winning approach to developing young people in filmmaking.

The opportunity is for young people with a keen interest in filmmaking, whether through school, college or at home. If you are passionate about film and aim for a future in the industry then you are encouraged to apply.

Being a residential course, participants will be accommodated in Edinburgh, with all meals provided.

Jointly funded in Scotland by Creative Scotland and the British Film Institute, the BFI Film Academy aims to help train and inspire the next generation of British filmmakers, supporting talented and committed young people aged 16-19 to develop their commercial and cultural knowledge, and skills to help make a career in film a reality.

BFI Film Academy Scotland Residential is open now for submissions. More information and an application form can be found on the Screen Education Edinburgh website. http://screen-ed.org/

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 11th July 2014.

Graham Fitzpatrick, SEE Creative Manager had this to say about the Academy:
"We are delighted to offer such a brilliant opportunity to young people from across Scotland. Bringing together some of the key people in Scottish film, from actors to writers to producers to directors, alongside individuals that make films happen and allow Scottish films to be seen, the young people taking part will be given a unique experience of learning about and making films, alongside invaluable advice and support to pursue a career in the Industry."

Natalie Usher, Director of Film & Media at Creative Scotland, said:
"Creative Scotland is delighted to work in partnership with Screen Education Edinburgh and the BFI Film Academy to bring this informative and practical course to young Scottish people, providing them with access to successful industry mentors and equip them with the skills and knowledge required to pursue a career within the film industry."

Nikki Christie, Head of Education, Skills, Research and Diversity for BFI Partnerships says:“Developing tomorrow’s film audiences and bright new talent is at the heart of the BFI’s strategy to give young people across the UK opportunities to engage with film. We are really proud that through the BFI Film Academy young people of all backgrounds are supported in pursuing careers in film and we look forward to them driving our film industry forward creatively and skilfully in years to come. The Academy is establishing itself as a gold standard training and development programme with a vision for future growth. This wouldn’t be possible without the backing of the Department for Education in England, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government in Scotland, and all our partners across the UK, and we thank them for their continuing support in taking the Film Academy to more young people than ever across the UK.”

The BFI Film Academy forms a key part of the BFI’s ambitious plans for film education for 5-19 year olds, a core aim of the BFI’s Film Forever five year plan to support the future success of UK film. Film Academy funding partners include the Department for Education in England, the National Lottery, Creative Scotland and Northern Ireland. Strategic partners include BAFTA, Pinewood Studios and Creative Skillset, helping to ensure the Academy is a gold standard film industry-focused educational programme.

The BFI Film Academy is supported in Scotland by Creative Scotland.

About Screen Education Edinburgh
Screen Education Edinburgh supports young people and new talent in developing and expressing themselves through the medium of film, developing them as people and improving their life chances. www.screen-ed.org
Irvine Welsh, the Edinburgh born novelist, playwright, storyteller and screenwriter is Patron of Screen Education Edinburgh.
About the BFI
The BFI is the UK’s lead film organisation, with the ambition to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive by:
Connecting audiences to the widest choice of British and World cinema
Preserving and restoring the most significant film collection in the world for today and future generations
Investing in creative, distinctive and entertaining work
Promoting British film and talent to the world
Growing the next generation of filmmakers and audiences

About Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us [AT]creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland