The highly anticipated 2026 Cinemagic Cross Border Short Film Academy launched recently at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Banbridge, where over 30 emerging filmmakers from Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland met for the first time for an exciting day of Writer/Director masterclasses, SFX Make-Up workshops, and an insightful Financial Wellbeing discussion with Bank of Ireland.
The Academy is an exciting opportunity for 15–18-year-olds to gain hands-on experience in every stage of the filmmaking process while working alongside leading industry professionals. The programme is delivered annually by Cinemagic, bringing together young people from both sides of the border to learn, collaborate and tell stories that matter.
It provides a unique platform for participants to explore careers in the screen industries while building friendships, confidence and practical filmmaking skills in a collaborative cross-border environment.
Cinemagic CEO, Joan Burney Keatings MBE said: “We were delighted to launch this year’s Cross Border Film Academy at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour. The day featured a brilliant Bank of Ireland Financial Wellbeing session, a bespoke tour and practical insights in Directing and lots of fun and learning with an SFX workshop.
The Academy combines industry masterclasses, script development workshops and pre-production sessions before culminating in the production of a professionally mentored short film in September.
Participants will gain practical experience across a range of departments including directing, scriptwriting, cinematography, production design and sound. We look forward to developing programmes like this throughout 2026-2017 with Bank of Ireland and our other Academy partners to inspire young people and help to nurture life skills and employability skills as they embark on their chosen career pathways”.
William Thompson, Head of Consumer Banking NI, Bank of Ireland UK said: “For many young people starting out in the creative industries, talent and ambition are only part of the picture. Whether they’re managing project budgets, planning productions, building a freelance career or turning a creative idea into a sustainable business, having confidence in managing money is an essential life and professional skill.
“Through this programme, in partnership with Cinemagic, we’re helping young people build the financial knowledge and confidence they need to turn great ideas into sustainable and successful projects.”
Mark Woolner, Head of Sales & Marketing, Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios said: “We were delighted to take part in the launch of this year’s Cinemagic Cross Border Film Academy and to welcome such an enthusiastic group of young filmmakers to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.
This partnership is a natural fit for us. We share Cinemagic’s belief that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity doesn’t always. By working together, we can help more young people discover the incredible range of careers available within the screen industries, while giving them access to experiences, facilities and industry expertise that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy.
Education has become an increasingly important part of what we do at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, and we’re delighted to build on that by supporting an initiative that will inspire the next generation of filmmakers and help strengthen Northern Ireland’s growing creative industries.”
The Cinemagic Cross Border Film Academy 2026 is supported by the Department of Education and Youth Ireland, The Game of Thrones Studio Tour and delivered in partnership with Bank of Ireland.
Ends:///
Press Information: Claire Shaw, Cinemagic Press Officer, claire@cinemagic.org.uk
