Skillset’s A Bigger Future, Four Years On

Skillset are now four years into the delivery of A Bigger Future, the UK film skills strategy. To promote the achievements so far Skillset has produced a report A Bigger Future 4 Years On, celebrating some of the great schemes that they have supported, and bringing the strategy alive by presenting case studies of individuals who have benefited from the funding.
Visit www.skillset.org.

London 2012 Cultural Olympiad –
Your Chance To Join In !

In a way that has never happened at any previous Olympic Games or Paralympic Games, the London 2012 culture programme has been opened up for all the communities of the UK to join in. It’s part of a commitment to make London 2012 “Everyone’s Games” and to put culture at the heart of the 2012 Games. The Cultural Olympiad is a four-year cultural celebration across the UK running from September 2008 until the end of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To find out more click here.

UK Film Council Publications Fund –
Call For Applications

The UK Film Council’s 2008/09 Publications Fund has been launched. This is a £100,000 fund to support print and on-line publications predominantly aimed at the film industry. The Fund aims to encourage debate about issues which challenge the perception of film and the film industry by broadening readership, increasing editorial range and support innovative platforms for film-related publications. The deadline for applications is 30 May 2008. Full details can be found here

Young Critic of the Year –
Schools take note!

As part of National Schools Film Week (15th-19th October 2008 in England, Wales and N Ireland, 29th October - 2nd November in Scotland.), www.filmeducation.org are offering young people between the ages of 3 - 19 the opportunity to become a film critic. The competition has several categories, for young people aged 11-19, along with a poster competition. The lucky winner in each category will receive some terrifyingly good prizes for themselves and their school. Runners up will get a film goodie bag! For more information and to enter the Young Critic of the Year Competition please visit www.youngfilmcritic.org
The deadline for all entries is Thursday 31 July 2008

First Light Movies Funding Available

Are you interested in getting some funding for a filmmaking project with young people aged between five and 19? Since 2001, First Light Movies has helped fund over 700 short films involving over 10000 young people. First Light are currently inviting applications for several of their schemes, with awards up to £25,000. For more information on the various schemes, or to download application forms, please visit the funding section of the First Light website www.firstlightmovies.com or call 0121 753 4866.

Film festivals funding boost

Film festivals across the UK will be part of a new £4.5 million drive to raise the profile of British film and give people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to see more films, meet filmmakers, and enjoy the world of film, Culture Secretary James Purnell announced recently. The UK Film Council is making available £1.5 million a year of National Lottery money over three years to help fund up to two festivals which have a national and international standing and up to eight festivals which are of national significance. Read all about it here

BFI MEDIATHEQUE A BIG HIT
WITH THE CROWDS

Since opening to the public on 14 March this year the Mediatheque at BFI Southbank has attracted an audience of almost 3,000 people a month who have been enjoying unprecedented access to the BFI National Archive. Robin Baker, Curator, BFI Mediatheque said: "We have managed to create an appetite for archive film among people who may never have thought they had any interest in the subject. Whenever people are introduced to the collection they seem overwhelmed and delighted by the amount of material and its sheer diversity." Read more

Film Industry contributes record £4.3bn to the economy last year

The British film industry contributed £4.3bn to the economy in 2006 according to a new report published by Oxford Economics. The study also found that the film industry supports 95,000 jobs, while film tourism attracts overseas visitors spending around £1.8 billion a year. To view the report click here

First Light offers £1000 to develop stories
and scripts

First Light Movies the UK's filmmaking initiative for five to eighteen-year-olds have announced a new fund offering up to £1,000 a time to develop stories and scripts. Following on from last year's series of scriptwriting workshops and seminars in collaboration with The Script Factory, First Light Movies have now created the What's the Big Idea? Award. If you're a development professional interested in starting a fruitful partnership with young filmmakers click here Best of all there is no deadline!

TimeShift – Supporting Film Professionals

Backed by the European Social Fund Equal Programme, Skillset have partnered with the UK Film Council to deliver TimeShift, a nationwide flexible work initiative which supports film professionals seeking greater flexibility in their working hours through job sharing their role on production. Key Benefits of the programme include child care bursaries, up to 80% of the cost of course fees and financial support for productions supporting a TimeShift team. For further information about the scheme and to download an application form please visit www.skillset.org/timeshift or call 020 7520 5757.

BBC New Talent Opportunities

The BBC run a number of schemes aimed at new talent. It is always worth checking their website for up to the minute information on training schemes, competitions, etc. Go to www.bbc.co.uk

New Documentary website launched

The Documentary Filmmakers Group has recently launched a new website with support from the British Council. The website is now the UK’s largest online documentary resource. An important part of the new site is the DFG community area, a log-in-only members section to the website.
The DFG are hoping to give their 4000+ active members access to a range of resources including a jobs section. 
To find out more visit www.dfgdocs.com

Mouse, Camera, Action!
All new Film Street website

Film Street is a website designed to unlock imaginations, introduce the joys of film and encourage creative expression through filmmaking. Film Street aims to inspire and excite young children to engage with film so that they become the filmmakers and cinema audiences of the future!



The website is designed to entertain and engage children and to provide easy routes into film for teaching and enjoyment both in school and at home. It has been designed to be accessible to the widest range of users and abilities.
Find out more or visit www.filmstreet.co.uk

On Track invitation

Would you like to be part of a project that aims to bring together and support Independent Training Providers for the Film, Broadcast and Interactive Media Sectors? Connections Communications Centre has funding from the Home Office Change Up to design and build ‘On Track’ - an on-line marketing and tracker database.

If you are an Independent Training Provider interested in being part of this project or would like further information please contact Trevor Burgess through trevor.burgess@cccmedia.co.uk or
telephone 020 8735 6013.
Alternatively visit www.cccmedia.co.uk

Freedom for Freelancers !

Tired of dipping into the piggy bank
to get the training you need ?

Then visit www.skillset.org/freelancefreedom for all Skillset’s freelance offers, including up to 80% off training costs ! Visit www.skillset.org to find out more

ITV Local –
New Website Launched !


ITV Local is a unique service that takes television to your community using broadband television. ITV are trialling with Brighton TV and Hastings TV in the ITV Meridian region and as an inaugural showcase, the website features a selection of short films from local talents, all viewable via a state of the art streaming facility. Screen South have been asked to act as curators for the initial selection of short films.

All the channels will be updated daily with the best and latest local entertainment, news, weather, travel and sports. Soon, you'll be able to upload your own content and advertisements.
To find out more about this exciting new regional venture, click here

The National Film and Television School

The NFTS is the UK's leading film school. Its graduates are among the most sought-after creative and technical personnel in film and television in both the UK and Hollywood. Many have won awards for their work. NFTS graduates include Beeban Kidron (Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason) Roger Deakins (The Man Who Wasn't There, The Village) Nick Park (Chicken Run, The Wrong Trousers) and Nick Broomfield (Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer and Biggie and Tupac)

To find out more about forthcoming courses and events, please click here