Media Academy Wales Launch Cinovate

Following a successful pilot in 2012, the Media Academy Wales have launched a call for 2013 applications from the UK-wide film exhibition sector for those seeking support for their current festival or venue-related challenges.
The scheme was launched on Tuesday at the Berlin Film Festival.
Cinovate, a personalised peer mentoring programme taking place over 6 months, offers managers in the sector the chance to take a step back from their day-to-day challenges and consider them in a different light, with support and guidance from the best in the field.
Instigated by the Media Academy Wales, which has to date trained over 500 industry professionals across the world, and co-created by James Mullighan (Edinburgh Film Festival, Encounters, Shooting People, Transmedia Next), the scheme offers mentoring, round table discussions and case studies to inspire and enthuse the 12 individuals taking part.
"After being involved with Cinovate 2012, I am thrilled to come on board as Contributing Editor to conceive, design and deliver our programme for 2013" said Mullighan.
"Cinovate is a unique offering for the independent exhibition professional - there's loads of learning from industry experts, carefully designed one-on-one mentoring and a mechanism so that the collective knowledge of all participants is teased out and shared with the group. If you're finding your work in exhibition challenging, especially in this digital age within a time of financial difficulty for the arts generally - our programme is for you."
The scheme will take place over two weekends in April 2013 at the Film Agency Wales Audience Connect summit in Cardiff and in September 2013 at the Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival in Bristol. By hosting the weekend programmes at industry events, those attending will have access to additional masterclasses and networking opportunities.
Liz Harkman, Managing Director of Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival commented on the value of the scheme to the festival.
"We are delighted to be hosting the second weekend of Cinovate at the 19th edition of Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival. The festival is renowned for attracting the UK short film industry to Bristol for six days filled with the best emerging talent from the UK and beyond.
"It is an excellent addition to the festival to bring the UK’s leading independent exhibitors to the same event to have a taste of some of the work available from the next generation of filmmakers."
Film Agency for Wales’s Chief Executive, Pauline Burt, commented: "Cinovate is a proven platform for exhibitors to consider current challenges and opportunities, such as improving audience data and understanding and programming smarter as a result. They’ll share a range of approaches with their peers and build a network of on-going support from the relationships they develop. It’s a very valuable approach."
The scheme will be personalised and bespoke to the selected participants and the case studies from leading UK festivals and venues, as well as from funding organisations and leading strategists will offer a new network of contacts and encourage renewed enthusiasm in the sector.
"We believe Cinovate will offer great value for money, and following feedback from last year’s participants, we know that the scheme guarantees real results," said Hannah Raybould from the Skillset Media Academy Wales.
"With bursaries available to cover travel and accommodation costs, it is hoped that the scheme will attract a wide cross section in terms of geographical location, type of festival or venue and current challenge faced."
Cinovate 2013 is supported by the Creative Skillset Film Skills Fund as part of 'A Bigger Future 2', the UK film skills strategy. The Creative Skillset Film Skills Fund is supported by the National Lottery through the BFI and the film industry through the Skills Investment Fund. Cinovate is supported by the Film Agency for Wales, Encounters Festival and Kino Climates.
Dan Simmons, Head of Film at Creative Skillset said: "Improving business skills continues to be a priority for Creative Skillset on behalf of the UK Creative Industries. The clear strengths of Cinovate are firstly the intensive mentoring, both in the workplace and during the programme, and secondly the peer support that is created through the sharing of best practice and workplace challenges.
"The first cohort has been equipped with the knowledge, tools and confidence to make changes to their businesses, and we are now seeing the positive impact of these interventions."
The deadline for applications is March 15th.
www.cinovate.org