Home > News > August 2005 > 31-Aug-2005

New screen academy for Scotland

Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries, has launched a new screen academy in Scotland that aims to educate and train filmmaking talent.

The Screen Academy at Napier University & Edinburgh College of Art is part of UK wide network of seven Skillset academies which includes a Film Business Academy.

The network is a key part of 'A Bigger Future', the UK Film Skills Strategy, a joint initiative by Skillset and UK Film Council that aims to tackle the creative development and skills needs of all jobs across film from script development through to screening films in cinemas, covering both new entrants and professional development for the existing workforce.

In addition to £500,000 funding from Skillset over two years, the Screen Academy will also receive £300,000 of support from the Scottish Executive as part of Skillset's Scottish Sector Skills Agreement.

Donald Emslie, Chair of the Skillset and Scottish Screen Industry Skills Panel, and Chief Executive of SMG Television, said: "Scotland has a vibrant film industry which will be encouraged and supported by the Screen Academy at Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art. It's a well deserved achievement for them and for Skillset which has worked tirelessly alongside the industry in Scotland and the Scottish Executive to move this initiative forward. This network is an innovative solution to address the education and development of our creative workforce."

Iain Smith, producer of 'Cold Mountain' and 'The Killing Fields', Chair of Skillset's FilmSkills Strategy Committee overseeing the implementation of A Bigger Future, and UK Film Council and Scottish Screen board member, said: "Congratulations to Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art on this truly momentous achievement.

"As a Skillset Screen Academy, with the support of Skillset, the industry and Scottish Screen, they will be able to expand on their successes and help build an aggressively competitive industry in an increasingly tough global market. The Skillset Screen Academy Network brings the industry and the education system much closer together ensuring UK film gets the skilled talent it needs for a strong and healthy business."

Ken Hay, Chief Executive, Scottish Screen said: "Having a Screen Academy in Scotland is a very important development for the screen industries here. We are delighted that Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art have been successful in their bid to Skillset to establish this new training facility, which will greatly enhance the skills base of the sector and further strengthen the industry in Scotland."

External link

For more information on all 'A Bigger Future' film skills initiatives visit www.skillset.org/film

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