Celebrating 40 Years of Film-Making at Newport

Over one hundred A Level students from all over south Wales tucked into popcorn as they enjoyed a screening of films to mark 40 years of film-making at the International Film School Wales (IFSW).
The event coincided with the launch of the new Screen Academy Wales in which IFSW is a lead partner along with The Film Academy at the University of Glamorgan. This new initiative, which has been set up to educate and train the film-making talent of the future, is one of a UK wide network of seven Skillset academies.
Sarah Gibbs, who is studying for a National Diploma in multimedia at Bridgend College, was very enthusiastic. “I’m very interested in studying animation and computer game design. We need more girls doing multimedia – I’m the only girl out of 17 students on the course!”
Her tutor, Tondy John said: “The students have really enjoyed the films shown here today, and they have a much better idea of what’s available now in this area.”
As a direct result of its status as a Screen Academy, IFSW and the other institutions involved will gain access to the Skillset 100, a database resource of one hundred top industry professionals committed to sharing their knowledge and expertise through master classes, workshops and guest lectures.
“The Welsh film and television industry, and the Welsh Assembly and agencies, should welcome this recognition by the film industry of the high quality of work that has been developed in degree courses that focus on film as a practical, creative medium,” said Humphry Trevelyan, Head of the International Film School Wales.
“The Screen Academy Wales will provide Masters level and undergraduate programmes in the seven core areas of producing, directing, screenwriting post-production, animation, acting for the screen, cinematography and, building upon expertise in the area of e-learning, pilot on-line film business programmes to be shared across the Welsh ‘network within a network’. The Screen Academy Wales partners particularly welcome the strong support that we have received from leading members of the Welsh film industry, who will play a crucial role in the Academy’s ability to provide relevant and high quality film experience for our students.”
(CD/SP)