Aspiring Carrick filmmaker takes part in prestigious programme

A budding young filmmaker from Carrickfergus was one of the 21 talented young people chosen recently for a prestigious film programme.
A group of 22 talented young filmmakers, aged 16-19 years old from Northern Ireland, including Joshua Lenaghan from Carrickfergus, ere recently selected from a wide pool of applicants and awarded a place on the prestigious BFI (British Film Institute) Film Academy programme.
Back Row (l-r) Keith OGrady (Filmmaker); Thomas Purdy (17, North Belfast); Joshua Lenaghan (17, Carrickfergus); Hollie Cowdean (17, Lisburn); Colin Browne (Film Equipment Hire Ireland); Finn Duncan (18, East Belfast); Alice Crane (17, Belfast); David Neill (18, East Belfast); and Mia Vidamour (17, Newtownards).A group of 22 talented young filmmakers, aged 16-19 years old from Northern Ireland, including Joshua Lenaghan from Carrickfergus, ere recently selected from a wide pool of applicants and awarded a place on the prestigious BFI (British Film Institute) Film Academy programme.
Back Row (l-r) Keith OGrady (Filmmaker); Thomas Purdy (17, North Belfast); Joshua Lenaghan (17, Carrickfergus); Hollie Cowdean (17, Lisburn); Colin Browne (Film Equipment Hire Ireland); Finn Duncan (18, East Belfast); Alice Crane (17, Belfast); David Neill (18, East Belfast); and Mia Vidamour (17, Newtownards).
A group of 22 talented young filmmakers, aged 16-19 years old from Northern Ireland, including Joshua Lenaghan from Carrickfergus, ere recently selected from a wide pool of applicants and awarded a place on the prestigious BFI (British Film Institute) Film Academy programme. Back Row (l-r) Keith OGrady (Filmmaker); Thomas Purdy (17, North Belfast); Joshua Lenaghan (17, Carrickfergus); Hollie Cowdean (17, Lisburn); Colin Browne (Film Equipment Hire Ireland); Finn Duncan (18, East Belfast); Alice Crane (17, Belfast); David Neill (18, East Belfast); and Mia Vidamour (17, Newtownards).

Joshua Lenaghan (17) was among the select group of 16-19 year-olds from Northern Ireland plucked from a wide pool of applicants and awarded a place on the prestigious BFI (British Film Institute) Film Academy programme, delivered locally by Cinemagic.

The programme equips local young filmmakers, who are 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.

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Joshua and his fellow participants attended masterclasses and Q&A sessions in Belfast on various film disciplines from the history of film, right through to story development, directing, producing, film criticism, film finance and marketing and distribution.

The young people also met with a range of award-winning industry professionals including Cinematographer Seamus Mc Garvey, Director Michael Lennox, Costume Designer Annie Symons, Make-up Artist Christine Blundell, Director Aisling Walsh, Assistant Director Darren Fee, Production Manager Leon Mc Geown-Fee, Producer Chris Martin, and Andy Dougan from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. In addition to the industry and skills training and access to top professionals, the young filmmaking trainees worked in groups to make two short films, which they showcased to industry guests and an invited audience on the last day of the Academy.

Joan Burney Keatings MBE, chief executive, Cinemagic, said: “This wonderful initiative provides yet another opportunity for Cinemagic to inspire and develop a new generation of film industry talent from Northern Ireland.

“We are delighted that such a diverse group of young people got involved as this ensured it was a richer peer-to-peer learning experience. The young people’s dedication and enthusiasm is commendable and I congratulate each and every one of them on their achievements.”

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The BFI Film Academy aims to help train and inspire the next generation of filmmakers.

It supports young people aged 16 to 19 years or age to develop the commercial and cultural knowledge and skills to help make a career in film a reality.

The Academy also offers training for every film industry role, from writing and directing through to production, sound design, editing and camera, and provides learning around film history and cinematic storytelling to inspire an appreciation of film culture in the round.