Cinemagic is delighted to announce the delivery of another BFI Film Academy Network Programme in 2018/19 and we welcome interested 16 – 19 year olds to apply!
Over the last 5 years, 20 talented filmmakers per year from Northern Ireland were selected from a wide-pool of applicants and awarded places on the BFI Film Academy Network programme delivered by Cinemagic. The programme equips young filmmakers, passionate about film, with the knowledge, skills, insight, confidence and practical training to help lay strong foundations for their pursuit of a career in the film industry.
In addition to the industry and skills training and access to top professionals, the participants worked in groups to make short films which they showcased in Belfast and some films were also screened at Cinemagic Los Angeles and other festivals. A number of past-participants in the programme have been involved in a series of exciting projects since their involvement and some of our outstanding students were awarded places at the prestigious NFTS & Scottish Residential courses over the last 5 years.
Cinemagic were delighted when two past young filmmakers Siona Davis and Lori Brown from this course were selected to participate in the prestigious Future Film Skills programme at Pinewood Studios last summer where they secured Trainee Positions on the new Star Wars film. Past-participants from this Academy have also gone on to secure positions on Game of Thrones, BBC, Disney and with Red Bull to name but a few.
Since its launch in 2013, a number of invited guests from the film industry have met with the participants to talk about their aspiring careers. Industry professionals who shared their skills and experiences with the young people included producers Mark Huffam (Saving Private Ryan, World War Z), Iain Smith (The A Team, Children of Men), Gareth Ellis-Unwin (Oscar Winner for The King’s Speech, Steel Country) and Jessica Malik (Zaytoun), Production Managers Terry Bamber (The Man from U.N.C. L.E, Skyfall) and Leon McGeown-Fee (The Lodge, Sesame Tree), actors Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster, Scott & Bailey), Shaun Evans (Endeavour) and Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones), Cinematographer Seamus Mc Garvey (Atonement, Godzilla, Avengers Assemble), screenwriter Ryan Rowe (Charlie’s Angels, Disney’s TinkerBell and The Secret of the Wings), directors Aisling Walsh (Maudie, Song for a Raggy Boy), William Mc Gregor (Poldark, One of Us, Misfits), Tony Mitchell (The Bible, Grace and Goliath), Michael Lennox (Boogaloo and Graham, Patch of Fog, Derry Girls), and Andrew Tohill & Ryan Tohill (The Dig) filmmakers Terry Loane (Mickey Bo and Me) and Brian Henry Martin (The Ulster Covenant), First Assistant Director Darren Fee (The Lodge, Secret Life of Boys), casting director Georgia Simpson, industry professionals Alison Crinion, Industry Trust for IP Awareness, Oscar-Winning Make-up artist Christine Blundell (Sherlock Holmes, Legend and Paddington), and Video Assist/Playback Operator Lisa Trinder (Game of Thrones) to name but a few.
The BFI Film Academy Network Programme delivered by Cinemagic will offer another impressive range of masterclasses, Cinemagic Juries, on-set film training and access to top industry professionals throughout the course.
Please note that applicants must be available on ALL academy dates:
Saturday 29th September 10am – 6pm
Saturday 13th October 10am – 6pm
Saturday 20th October 10am – 4pm
Sunday 21st October 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 31st October and Thursday 1st November – Group 1 Filming
Friday 2nd November and Saturday 3rd November – Group 2 Filming
Tuesday 6th November 5.30pm – 8.30pm
Saturday 8th December 10am – 4pm
Saturday 26th January 10am – 4pm